Tag: Formula D

Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 4 Texas Results

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Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 4 Texas Results;

Kevin Lawrence Does the Impossible to Win the Event and the Championship

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Long Beach, Calif. – September 8, 2017 – The Formula DRIFT PRO 2 season came to a dramatic conclusion at Texas Motor Speedway. Florida native Kevin Lawrence in the Enjuku Racing / BC Racing / Hankook Tire Nissan 240 defies the odds and wins the event and the PRO 2 Championship.

PRO 2 returned to Texas Motor Speedway for the final event of the season. Fans witnessed the biggest comeback in Formula DRIFT PRO 2 history as Kevin Lawrence entered the event in 5th place overall with an 81 point deficit to win the event and ultimately the championship.

“What a way to end the PRO 2 season,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. ”In what was the largest comeback in PRO 2 history, Kevin Lawrence did the impossible, and ended the season in dramatic and exciting fashion.”

The championship was up for grabs when the top 4 drivers failed to move past the Top 16 bracket giving a small mathematical chance to Lawrence. In the semi-finals, Norwegian driver, Ola Jaeger in the Japan Auto Toyota Supra faced Alec Robbins in the KoruWorks Nissan 350Z. In the second run of their battle, Robbins went off line to give the win and his first podium to Jaeger. In the second semi-final battle, Lawrence met Riley Sexsmith piloting a Subaru BRZ. Sexsmith made a major mistake by going off-course on the first run to give Lawrence the advantage and eventual win to move him into the Finals to meet Jaeger. Sexsmith finished the event in third place. In the Finals, both drivers made mistakes in the first battle in which the judges called a “One more time.” In the second run of the battle, Jaeger fell dramatically behind creating a large gap that proved to be his downfall, which gave Lawrence the event victory and the championship by a mere 2 points. The PRO 2 championship finished with Travis Reeder in second place and Matt Vankirk in third place.

“It hasn’t really set in yet and it’s just amazing that I was able to battle to the first position and win the championship by 2 points. I never thought this would happen, ” said Kevin Lawrence, winner of PRO 2: Texas and the 2017 PRO 2 champion. “I want to thank everyone on board from Enjuku Racing, Hankook Tire, BC Racing, Competition Clutch, Vibrant Performance, Konig wheels and everyone that has been part of the team over the years I really couldn’t have done it without any of them.”

Formula DRIFT continues to Round 8: Title Fight on October 13-14, 2017. For more information visit, www.formulad.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift, Twitter @FormulaDrift, and Snapchat – formula_drift. Tune into Formula DRIFT on CBS Sports and check your local listings for airtimes.

Formula DRIFT PRO 2: Texas Results

1. Lawrence, Kevin

Winner

2. Jaeger, Ola

2nd Place

3. Sexsmith, Riley

3rd Place

4. Robbins, Alec

4th Place

5. Hately, Andy

5th Place

6. Gyorgy, Szilveszter

6th Place

7. Meeks, Austin

7th Place

8. Waters, Randall

8th Place

9. Beechum, Trenton

9th Place

10. Reeder, Travis

10th Place

11. Vankirk, Matt

11th Place

12. Robinson, Josh

12th Place

13. George, Danny

13th Place

14. Schmidt, Brandon

14th Place

15. Kiriakopoulos, George

15th Place

16. Brockway, Donovan

16th Place

Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Championship Final Standings

1. Lawrence, Kevin

Champion

2. Reeder, Travis

2nd Place

3. Vankirk, Matt

3rd Place

Statement by Formula DRIFT in Regards to Announcement of Irwindale Speedway Closing

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Formula DRIFT is extremely saddened by the recent news of the closing of Irwindale Speedway, which will take place on January 31, 2018. Irwindale Speedway, also known as “The House of Drift,” has been an integral part of the history of not only our Series, but the sport of drifting. The venue is the birthplace of American drifting and global drifting, having hosted the first large-scale competition back in 2003.

Since then, Irwindale Speedway has been the location for the Formula DRIFT Pro Championship Finals, with a champion crowned at the conclusion of each season. It will be difficult to replace such an iconic track and location in the heart of Southern California, but the Series has been anticipating this announcement for quite some time. We will disclose more information during our annual SEMA press conference in November. Until then we look forward to closing out the 2017 season in style at what will become a historic and monumental event.

For more information visit: www.formulad.com.

Press/Media Inquiries: John Pangilinan
213.802.0863¬
[email protected]

Formula DRIFT, Irish Drift Championship, and British Drift Championship Form Strategic Alliance

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Formula DRIFT, Irish Drift Championship, and British Drift Championship Form Strategic Alliance

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Long Beach, Calif. – August 8, 2017 – Formula DRIFT has aligned with the Irish Drift Championship (IDC) and British Drift Championship (BDC) to form a strategic alliance to develop the future rules and regulations for drifting.

“Drifting, by it’s very nature, has always been geographically segregated and this, in my opinion, naturally restricts global progression,” stated David Egan, CEO, Zigen Promotions – Irish & British Drift Championship.  “Those in a position of influence generally work independently, without the additional knowledge gained by fellow organizations. I believe this strategic partnership with Formula Drift opens a positive channel to which we can combine resources and experience, with the betterment of the sport being the prime objective.  I think the correct time has come to work together for what has always been a common goal: making the sport of professional drifting as successful as possible for all involved.”

The two of the most reputable and longest running drifting organizers have come together to forge a closer relationship to work hand in hand in an effort to improve the sport.  As part of the new relationship, IDC and BDC champions will receive Black Magic Formula DRIFT Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras Pro licenses, while the #2 to #8 ranked drivers from IDC and BDC will receive a Formula DRIFT Pro2 Championship license beginning in the 2018.

“We have had long time ties to Europe via various European drivers that have come into the Series,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT.  “There is no better time to deepen these ties to ensure the future of our sport.”

“Professional drifting has witnessed a dramatic increase in global popularity and professionalism within recent years and I feel that much of this success can be credited to the ambitious and methodical approach of the Formula Drift championship,” stated David Egan, CEO, Zigen Promotions – Irish & British Drift Championship.  “While we at the Irish and British Drift Championships have certainly forged our own paths and enjoyed numerous successes, we have looked to Formula Drift (as a world leader) for inspiration from afar.”

For more information visit, www.formulad.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift, Twitter @FormulaDrift, and Snapchat – formula_drift. Tune into Formula DRIFT on CBS Sports and check your local listings for airtimes.

Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 3 Seattle Results

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Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Round 3 Seattle Results;

Hometown Hero Matt Vankirk Takes the Win

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Long Beach, Calif. – August 4, 2017 – The Formula DRIFT PRO 2 season continued to Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington. Local driver Matt Vankirk takes the win and moves to second place in the PRO 2 standings with one event remaining in the season.

PRO 2 returned to Evergreen Speedway for the third event of four for the season. The young drivers took center stage for the Northwest fans.

“This was one of the most exciting and competitive PRO 2 events,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “The drivers pushed the limits and gave the fans a great show.”

The semi-finals pitted Matt Vankirk in the Fortune Auto / Achilles Nissan 240 with number one qualifier, Dirk Stratton in the Lingenfelter Performance / Achilles Corvette. Vankirk outdrove his opponent to move into the Finals. On the other side of the bracket Josh Robinson faced Dylan Hughes in the DHR Dirtfish Nissan 240. Robinson had a few errors that gave Hughes the win. The finals was a tight battle and after a One More Time, Vankirk was able to edge out his opponent to get his first victory of the season and move within 20 points from the current leader, Travis Reeder.

“It was a tough fight here. The team worked hard, ” said Matt Vankirk, winner of PRO 2: Seattle. “And we came out with the win. Hats off to my team and all my sponsors.”

Formula DRIFT continues to Round 7: Showdown at Texas Motor Speedway on September 8-9, 2017. For more information visit, www.formulad.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift, Twitter @FormulaDrift, and Snapchat – formula_drift. Tune into Formula DRIFT on CBS Sports and check your local listings for airtimes.

Formula DRIFT PRO 2: Seattle Results

1. Vankirk, Matt

Winner

2. Hughes, Dylan

2nd Place

3. Stratton, Dirk

3rd Place

4. Robinson, Josh

4th Place

5. Lawrence, Kevin

5th Place

6. Reeder, Travis

6th Place

7. Schmidt, Brandon

7th Place

8. Brockway, Donovan

8th Place

9. Jaeger, Ola

9th Place

10. Filippi, Chris

10th Place

11. Goble, Brody

11th Place

12. George, Danny

12th Place

13. Meeks, Austin

13th Place

14. Szilveszter, Gyorgy

14th Place

15. Beechum, Trenton

15th Place

16. Waters, Randall

16th Place

2017 Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Championship Standings After 3 Events

1. Reeder, Travis

Nissan 240

228.00 Points

2. Vankirk, Matt

Fortune Auto / Achilles Nissan 240

208.00 Points

3. Stratton, Dirk

Lingenfelter Performance / Achilles Corvette

154.00 Points