Formula Drift media partner, DSPORT Magazine, gets up close and personal with the 2012 Nissan GT-R. They had the opportunity to meet with the “Godfather of the GT-R,” Kazutoshi Mizuno, who gives us an in-depth look at all of the improvements and changes of the all new GT-R. Full coverage of this test can be seen in issue #102 in May 2011.
[youtube width=”560″ height=”345″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjmtsKdrtkU[/youtube]
Torrance, CA – Alpinestars and Need for Speed™ are joining forces to bring you a “Play a Pro” sweepstakes, presented exclusively with Tilly’s. Alpinestars is giving you a unique opportunity to play SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED™, the latest entry in the critically acclaimed Need for Speed™ simulation series, against drift driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. at Formula Drift’s first 2011 event. The highly-anticipated SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED will be released March 29th in North America.
One lucky winner will receive an all expenses paid trip to the Formula Drift event April 8th-9th with Alpinestars and Need for Speed. They will experience a ride-a-long with Team Need for Speed and Alpinestars Formula Drift driver Matt Powers, have VIP access to Team Need for Speed and Alpinestars hospitality areas, and play SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED against Alpinestars Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. The winner will also receive Alpinestars and Need for Speed prize packs. Don’t miss your chance to enter this sweepstakes!
Enter to Win at www.tillys.com
GARDELLA RACING ANNOUNCES EXPANDED 2011 PROGRAM WITH ADDITION OF ’09 FORMULA DRIFT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR ERIC O’SULLIVAN
HOWELL, NJ (February 1, 2011) – Gardella Racing announced today that Irish drifting champion and 2009 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year, Eric O’Sullivan, will join the Howell NJ-based team for 2011.
In an exciting move, O’Sullivan will re-locate to Gardella Racing’s headquarters to become heavily involved as both a team driver and Gardella Racing Ambassador in the Formula DRIFT and grass roots programs.
Campaigning the Gardella Racing Pontiac Solstice in the 2011 Formula DRIFT Pro Drift Championship, O’Sullivan will shortly begin an extensive testing program alongside Gardella Racing driver Ryan Tuerck. In addition to the 2011 Formula DRIFT Program, O’Sullivan will also enjoy a broader role as Gardella Racing Ambassador reaching out to the grass roots communities of North American Drifting.
Speaking on the announcement of the move Eric O’Sullivan stated, “This move is a dream come true for me. I am extremely proud and honored to have been given this opportunity with Gardella Racing. Gardella Racing is a team that I have always admired for their professionalism and commitment to top-level motorsports and I am delighted to now be part of the team. Our plans for 2011 are extremely exciting and I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of the GR Pontiac Solstice and begin preparations.”
Following an extensive search for a 2nd driver via the team’s social media network , Gardella Racing Team Owner Gary Gardella also commented on the deal , “There are a lot of talented drivers out there, many of whom applied to be part of the Gardella Racing team. Eric was the one driver who stood out and met all of the qualities I was looking for in a driver,” continued Gardella. “He is a champion driver, a great spokesman for partners, and a team player, expecting to be more involved in the team in addition to driving.”
More details on the extent of O’Sullivan’s role with Gardella Racing will be revealed over the coming months when the Irish driver will travel to New Jersey and be officially introduced to his 2011 team and vehicle.
COLUMBUS, OHIO (January 27, 2011) – Kenda Tire has signed Formula Drift rookie, Brad Hettinger, as the 2nd driver to compete in the Formula Drift Professional Drifting Series for 2011.
Brad, owner of Groundwerks Garage, is no stranger to competition. In 2009 Brad finished in FD Pro AM 5th place qualifier and 13th overall. Hettinger, also qualified 7th in XDC New Jersey, running on Kenda Tires in 2010.
Brad will be joining team mate Dennis Mertzanis in a V8 powered Nissan S14 owned by LM Racing. To follow Kenda Tires and Brad Hettinger’s effort for the 2011 Formula D season, point your browsers to: http://www.groundwerksgarage.com & http://www.luismartinezracing.com
Kenda, a leading manufacturer of automobile, bicycle, motorcycle, ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), golf cart, lawn mower, industrial and trailer tires in the world, has maintained its North American headquarters in Columbus, Ohio for the last three decades. Since the inception of the company in 1962, Kenda has operated on core values of honesty, innovation, quality and customer service. For nearly 50 years, Kenda has continued to develop and expand its product selections to meet changing market demands.
Visit http://www.kendausa.com for more information.
Long Beach, Calif. – Jan. 27, 2011 – DIRECTV is bringing the race track into the living room with the exclusive 3D broadcast of Formula DRIFT’s “Round 7: Title Fight Event” on DIRECTV’s 3D channel, n3D, powered by Panasonic, channel 103. Beginning Friday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, DIRECTV customers will have access to two, one-hour specials, which will offer extensive race coverage, behind the scenes footage and exclusive interviews, all in 3D.
Produced by DIRECTV and Formula DRIFT, the 3D special will follow the heated action surrounding the final event of Formula DRIFT’s 2010 season, which was held at the Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif., last October. The footage will include:
• Complete coverage of the “Title Fight” season finale, including the final battle between two-time Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin.
• Exclusive interviews with Formula DRIFT pro drivers.
• Drifting tips by pro drivers, including Tanner Foust
• Behind the scenes with Formula DRIFT owners Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage.
• Coverage of off-the-track action including fans, vendors, import models and more.
“Watching Formula DRIFT’s championship series at home in 3D will make every counter steer, plume of smoke and wreck feel like it is happening in the middle of your living room,” said Chris Long, senior vice president, Entertainment, DIRECTV. “Our 3D technology enables us to take what is already an exciting event and make it even more compelling for viewers to experience at home.”
“This was a very ambitious project given that it is the first of its kind for the sport of drifting and also taking into consideration the sheer nature of 3D filming and the nature and physics of the sport,” said Ryan Sage, vice-president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “DIRECTV came in and really nailed it. Viewing Formula DRIFT in 3D is probably one of the most visceral and exciting things to view in the 3D genre right now.”
