Haukhe

Formula DRIFT Round 3: The Gauntlet Results;
Darren McNamara Takes the Victory and Rises to the Top of the Standings

Long Beach, Calif. – June 6, 2009 – Formula DRIFT returned to Wall Speedway in New Jersey after a 1 year absence for Round 3: The Gauntlet. Darren McNamara in the Falken Tires / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky took the victory and the lead for the Formula DRIFT Championship point standings. Team Falken Tires finished the event strong filling the top 3 podium positions.

Despite the initial rain on Friday, the skies cleared for the main competition at Wall Speedway setting the stage for a great event. The fans were treated to temperatures in the mid 70′s and partly cloudy skies. Thousands of fans packed the grandstands of Wall Speedway and witnessed another spectacular drifting competition of the season.

“It was a trying event for our staff and for the teams given the rain on Friday forcing us to pack all the action into one day,” said Ryan Sage, vice president of marketing and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “Yet at the end it was a huge payoff for everyone. Team Falken put together an incredible showing and swept the podium.”

For the first time Team Falken took each position on the podium with Tyler McQuarrie in the Falken Nissan 350Z taking 3rd place, Vaughn Gittin Jr. in the Falken / Ford Racing Mustang GT taking 2nd place, and Darren McNamara in the Falken / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky taking the victory and moving into 1st place overall in the Formula DRIFT point standings. Hometown hero, Ryan Tuerck moved into 2nd place overall in the Mobil 1 / Gardella Racing Pontiac Solstice right in front of Round 2 winner, Chris Forsberg in the NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Nissan 350Z. The victory for McNamara, the 2006 Pro Drift Champion and 2007 Formula DRIFT Rookie of Year, was well earned after putting on a great performance and laying it all out on the line at this event.

“All day I felt completely comfortable and confident behind the Falken / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky,” said Darren McNamara, winner of Round 3: The Gauntlet. “I couldn’t have done this without the help of the Falken crew, Sears Auto Center, ASD, my girlfriend, and all my friends and family.”

Formula DRIFT returns to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Round 4: All In on July 10-11. Tickets are on-sale now.

Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2009 Point Standings
1. McNamara, Darren Falken / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky 260 Points
2. Tuerck, Ryan Gardella Racing / Mobil 1Pontiac Solstice 232 Points
3. Forsberg, Chris NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Nissan 350Z 227 Points
4. Hubinette, Samuel NuFormz / Mopar Dodge Viper 213 Points
5. Gittin, Vaughn Falken Tire Ford Racing Mustang GT 211 Points
6. Nishida, Robbie Hankook Tires / Dynamic Autosports Nissan 350Z 197 Points
7. McQuarrie, Tyler Falken Nissan 350Z 195.50 Points
8. Pawlak, Justin Bergenholtz Racing / Nitto Mazda RX-8 178 Points
9. Aono, Taka Technosquare Toyota AE86 Corolla 174.50 Points
10. Maeng, Joon Maxxis / LS Auto Nissan S13.5 173 Points
11. Brakohiapa, Tony Cooper Tire Ford Mustang 170.75 Points
12. Millen, Rhys Red Bull / RMR / Toyo Hyundai Genesis Coupe 166.50 Points
13. Mordaunt, Patrick PM Racing Nissan S13 165.50 Points
14. Verdier, Stephan Cooper Tire / Crawford Performance Subaru STI 163 Points
15. Petty, Ross Garage Boso / Falken Nissan S15 158.50 Points
16. Yoshihara, Daijiro Falken Tire / Discount Tire Lexus IS350 156 Points
Round 3: The Gauntlet Event Results
1. McNamara, Darren Falken / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky
2. Tuerck, Ryan Gardella Racing / Mobil 1Pontiac Solstice
3. Forsberg, Chris NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Nissan 350Z
Tires.com Triple Crown Point Standings after 1 of 3 events
1. Forsberg, Chris NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Nissan 350Z 102 Points
2. McNamara, Darren Falken / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky 94 Points
3. Tuerck, Ryan Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice 80 Points

Etter gårdagens kjøring i Long Beach er stigen blitt slik!

kilde: speedhunters.com

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.”

Schedule of Events

Friday, April 10, 2009 – Preview Day

10:00 am – Box Office Open – Long Beach Arena Box Office
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm– Gates Open to the Public – Venue
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Autograph Signing Session – Formula DRIFT Trailer
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm – Open Practice – Track
5:00 pm – Gates Close to Public

Saturday, April 11, 2009 – Main Event

9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Box Office Open – Long Beach Arena Box Office
10:00 am – Gates Open to the Public – Venue
11:30 am – 1:00 pm – Main Competition: Round of 32 – Track
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – “Half-time” Break – Venue
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm – National Anthem / Opening Ceremonies – Track
2:30 pm – Main Competition: Round of 16 to Finals – Track
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Trophy Ceremony and Closing – Main Paddock
5:00 pm – Box Office Close – Long Beach Arena Box Office
6:00 pm – Gates Close to Public

Dette er noe som må være helt rått å få se in real life!
KILDE : Formula D 

Nye "stigen" dem skal bruke på andre siden av kloden

Long Beach, Calif. – March 16, 2009 – Formula DRIFT will be implementing a Top 32 tandem competition format for the 2009 season. The Top 32 tandem format will replace the Top 16 format previously used in an effort to appeal to the fans. The new competition format will be used starting at Round 1: Streets of Long Beach on April 10-11. 

The Top 32 tandem competition format will pit the Top 32 drivers in a round-by-round elimination with each driver advancing to the next round. Each round’s head-to-head battles will be determined by the drivers’ qualifying score. The higher qualifying score will receive a higher position, with the highest qualifier receiving the #1 spot and lowest qualifier receiving the #32 spot. The #1 and #32 positioned drivers will then compete in a head-to-head battle and the tandem competitions will continue until the finale and a winner will be determined.

“From our experience hosting the Red Bull Drifting World Championship in 2008, the 32 car tandem format seemed the most exciting,” states Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “As ambassadors for the sport, it is our responsibility to push the sport’s limits and keep it as exciting for the fans as possible and we feel this new format will give the fans more action during a Formula DRIFT event.” 

The new format provides fans with more tandem competition throughout the event day, something fans want to see more of. The larger bracket will allow for more diverse match ups of drivers that may have never competed against each other. 

“Drivers will have to strategize and plan effectively to make it further into the competition,” states Tanner Foust, Formula DRIFT 2007 & 2008 champion. “As a driver we will have to expect the unexpected not knowing the skills of the other driver. For the fans there will be more action and excitement with the Top 32.” 

For more information visit www.formuladrift.com.