Motorsports Venues - Formula DRIFT Makes Impressive Debut at Palm Beach International Raceway

JUPITER, June 4, 2011: Activity was non-stop at Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) on Friday with the opening practice and qualifying sessions for Formula DRIFT – Round 3: Invasion.

Fans packed the grandstands and watched as nearly 100 drifters wheel race cars into tight turns inches apart, spinning and smoking the tires in what appeared to be synchronized racing. Crowds worked their way around the track to discover the optimal viewing places to ensure they were in the right spot for Saturday’s eliminations.

After two practice sessions, drivers took to the track for qualifying. In the two-lap qualifying attempts, drivers were scored on speed, line, angle and overall impression. At the end of the session, Chris Forsberg earned 93 points and the top spot with his 2011 Nissan 370Z machine.

“As a first-time event at Palm Beach International Raceway, I was eager to see the on-track competition of Formula DRIFT,” said Jason Rittenberry, President and CEO, PBIR. “We had a great crowd on Friday and they watched some of the series best drift on our road course. The racing was fierce and we’re looking forward to Saturday’s eliminations. We’re expecting a great event on Saturday.”

Following the single-car practice and qualifying runs, fans were treated to a small sampling of the competition as drivers practiced tandem racing. Drivers used the evening practice session to size-up the competition and to see how their race cars handled under the lights since Saturday’s elimination rounds would run into the evening hours.

Formula DRIFT – Round 3: Invasion continues on Saturday afternoon with one additional practice immediately followed by the Pro/Am drivers competing in the elimination rounds. The Formula DRIFT eliminations take place on Saturday evening and the field of 16 pares down to two racers. At the conclusion of the event, spectators are encouraged to watch the podium and trophy presentation as the winners are announced.

In conjunction with the 2011 Formula DRIFT series, Palm Beach International Raceway serves as host to the Slammed Society Showcase this weekend. Produced by FatLace, the Slammed Society car show, open to all makes and models, is an automotive showcase featuring some of the country’s freshest rides. For more information, visit http://fatlace.com/showcase/

Tickets are available for purchase at Palm Beach International Raceway’s main gate. General admission adult tickets are $21 and reserved grandstand adult tickets are $30.