Tag: TOny Angelo

Formula DRIFT Announces Tony Angelo as Technical Manager

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Formula DRIFT Announces Tony Angelo as Technical Manager

Long Beach, Calif. –March 3, 2010 – Formula DRIFT has announced that Tony Angelo will add to his current role and responsibility as a Formula DRIFT judge by also serving as new Technical Manager. The position focuses primarily on competition vehicle compliance and enforcement of Formula DRIFT technical regulations as stated in the Formula DRIFT rulebook.

“Creating a Series that has staff that understands drift cars, how they are built and perform is paramount to our growth and success, so having Tony Angelo on as the Technical Manager is a great step for us,” said Ryan Sage, executive vice-president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “Tony has essentially committed to making this a full-time endeavor and he is ready to tackle issues and items that come up at a moment’s notice. Having personally worked with Tony at other capacities has opened my eyes to his ability to be non-bias and objective, which is absolutely necessary for us.”

The Technical Manager position entails many responsibilities with a focus on compliance and eligibility of vehicles according to the rulebook and specific items including recording and maintaining a detailed technical record of each vehicle, assigning Formula DRIFT VID numbers, consulting with Formula DRIFT administrative officials and the Formula DRIFT Chief Steward on rulebook development and modification, and administering mid-season technical inspections. Angelo has also been instrumental in helping to bring new developments to the current rulebook.

“Tony Angelo has been involved with safety and technical inspections of drift cars on many performance levels since 2003,” said Jim Liaw president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “His experience as a driver, builder, and judge makes him qualified to take over this new role. His technical knowledge of the current competition chassis and drifting rules since 2003 as well as his ability to be articulate will help level the playing field across all drive train platforms.”

Additionally, the Technical Manager will be responsible for working with teams to resolve any questions/issues regarding different builds, technical inspections, and writing any technical bulletins. Tony will still serve as one of the three main judges for the 2010 Formula DRIFT Championship season.

Formula DRIFT Motorsport Meets BMX Actionsport

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Filmer Andy Laputka has put together a great video that compares drifting and action sports through the eyes of professional BMX riders, Chad Kagy and Scotty Cranmer. Formula DRIFT drivers gave these BMX pro’s a shotgun ride along at Wall Speedway during the Round 3: The Gauntlet event weekend and the BMX guys returned the favor by taking them behind the scenes at the local BMX/skate park, The Incline Club.

Formula DRIFT drivers Ryan Tuerck, Vaughn Gittin Jr., Chris Forsberg, and even judge Tony Angelo took up the offer and tested out the foam pit. A comparison was made with Formula DRIFT and drifting being the next action sport…could we possibly see drifting in the X-games?

DRIFTING: action motorsport from SHOOT FIRST media on Vimeo.

Formula DRIFT Announces New Judge for Pro Series

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Formula DRIFT Announces New Judge for Pro Series;
Takahashi to Take Leadership Role in Formula DRIFT Pro-Am

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Long Beach, Calif. – April 6, 2009 – Formula DRIFT announces new judge for the professional championship series, Drifting veteran, Tony Angelo will be added to the judging panel and step away from professional competition. Ken Takahashi has taken a leadership role in Pro-Am to help build the amateur series.

“I am excited to take this position with the series. I have been competing with Formula DRIFT since its inception,” said Tony Angelo, veteran drifter and new Formula DRIFT judge. “This role will put my competition hat on the sideline, but being a judge is a challenge that I welcome and I look forward to helping the series grow and evolve.”

Angelo will begin his new judging position at the Formula DRIFT season opener titled, Round 1: Streets of Long Beach on April 10-11. Angelo will join current judges Ernie Fixmer and Andy Yen. Angelo will replace Ken Takahashi’s position as a judge.

Takahashi has accepted a new position in the development of the Pro-Am series. Takahashi will play a key role in helping amateur drivers develop their off-track repertoire and will guide amateur drivers to transition into the pro ranks. Takahashi will also be responsible for judging in the Pro Am series.

“This new opportunity is something that I am happy to give my heart to. Pro-Am development is essential to a healthy pro series so I am happy that Formula DRIFT values my expertise in this area of development,” says Ken Takahashi, former Formula DRIFT judge and Pro-Am leader.

“We are excited to announce Tony coming on to the team and also Ken stepping up to take this new role on the Pro-Am side. Tony brings with him years of experience behind the wheel and as a judge and Ken is the right guy to represent the drivers coming up through Pro-Am,” say Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “Part of Pro-Am is a place to perfect your skill as a driver, but the other part is to perfect your skill as a professional representative of the sport and Ken will be instrumental in helping develop the new talent that Formula DRIFT wants in the Pro-Am arena.”