Formula DRIFT Kicks-off the 2009 Championship Season
- Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 18:28
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Formula DRIFT Prepares to Kick-off the 2009 Championship Season;
Round 1: Streets of Long Beach Activities and Drivers Entry List Announced
Long Beach, Calif. – March 31, 2009 – Formula DRIFT prepares to kick-off the 2009 professional championship season with a host of events leading up to the main competition weekend on April 10-11. Round 1: Streets of Long Beach also marks the debut of new cars and drivers and the return of top drifters from around the world.
“The 2009 Formula DRIFT season will be as entertaining and exciting as ever,” says Ryan Sage, vice-president of marketing and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “In addition to the main event on the 10-11th we have also lined up some great local, fan-friendly events in Long Beach to add to the overall weekend.”
To kick-off the season on Thursday April 9, Formula DRIFT will converge on Downtown Long Beach at 5 PM. The entire roster of drivers and cars will parade from the track into the heart of downtown. The competition vehicles will be on display on Pine and Broadway and fans will have a chance to meet and greet with the drivers. As an added bonus, 2-time Formula DRIFT champion Samuel Hubinette, will be premiering his new DVD “Drift Ya Later,” at Smooth’s Sports Grille. The festivities are free and will go from continue from 5 PM to 9 PM.
After the first day of Formula DRIFT action on Friday, April 10, Hooters on Pine Ave. in Downtown Long Beach will be hosting a reception for the Formula DRIFT teams. Fans are welcome to join in on the festivities with the drivers. The action takes place from 7 PM to 9 PM.
Round 1: Streets of Long Beach tickets are available via the Formula DRIFT website at www.formuladrift.com. Ticket prices start at $28 online for a Saturday reserved seat. Friday, April 10th has been opened to the public as a “Preview Day,” and will feature practice and qualifying. Fans can buy access to Friday’s event for just $5 more. Grandstands 16 and 18 have been expanded this season to give more fans the best view of the action. Taking place during the opening ceremonies on Saturday, April 11, West Coast Customs will be presenting reigning Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust with a custom-built GTO. The presentation will be aired on an upcoming episode of “Street Customs” on the TLC channel. West Coast Customs owner Ryan Friedlinghaus will be handing the keys to Foust exclusively at this event.
New cars and drivers will make their debut at the season opener. The addition of the Top 32 competition format at this event will give the fans the most excitement and action. The drivers will test their limits on the only actual course that takes place on real city streets.
Round 1: Streets of Long Beach Entry List
Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11
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Calvin Wan |
Falken Tire Nissan S15 Silvia |
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April 6, 2009
Formula DRIFT Announces New Judge for Pro Series;
Takahashi to Take Leadership Role in Formula DRIFT Pro-Am
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.”
For more information visit http://www.formuladrift.com.
Is there a schedule for 2010 out?