DRIFTING HITS THE BIG SCREEN AND THE STREETS HARD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Formula Drift Inc. Contact: Kevin Pchola MWW Group (201) 964-2363 kpchola@mww.com DRIFTING HITS THE BIG SCREEN AND THE STREETS HARD Formula Drift Inc Championship Series Builds Brand and Sport Irvine, CA (June 16, 2006) - In less than three years, Formula Drift Inc. established a SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) sanctioned motorsport in a country that is dominated by premier sports and entertainment. Beginning with masses that adore NASCAR to the overhauled automotive shows from the traditional Road & Track to Pimp My Ride and the big screen's newest automotive release; "Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift," Formula Drift has been able to grow an extreme motorsport in an era that has seen a growth in car culture. "Drifting is becoming increasingly high profile in US pop culture, serving as the basis of the upcoming film The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift." said Ryan Sage, vice president of marketing for Formula Drift Inc. "Three years ago when professional drifting began in the United States we had a vision it would be accepted. But when we see the attendance increase nearly fifty-percent at certain venues, we can really see the positive impact this sport is making on the public." Today's U.S.-based Formula Drift takes the excitement one step further by being the only drifting competition that features aggressive side-by-side action as finalists burn up the course two-at-a-time often only inches apart. Drifting pros finesse their cars into spectacular powerslides around a series of corners of a set course as powerful engines roar and the tires bellow smoke. The driver controls engine power, shifts gears and feathers the brake pedal, while at the same time spinning the steering wheel in a precise fashion from left to right linking corners with pinpoint accuracy. The driver is controlling and maneuvering the car beyond the limits of the tires' traction. Formula Drift, Inc. is currently three events into the 2006 Need For Speed Formula Drift Championship presented by Circuit City which kicked-off in April on the city streets in Long Beach, CA, followed by events at Road Atlanta and Soldier Field (Chicago). Competition continues July 8 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. To catch-up on the action of to see what professional drifting is all about tune into G4 TV, Sunday, June 18 beginning at 7 PM for previous event coverage, including behind-the-scenes peeks at drifting stars, commentary, analysis, drifting tips and tricks from the pros, as well as coverage of the fans and culture. For the complete schedule and full details on drifting visit www.formulad.com <http://www.formulad.com/> . ABOUT FORMULA DRIFT. Entering its third season, Formula Drift, produced and wholly owned by Irvine, Calif.-based Formula Drift, Inc., continues to expand into new markets as the first and only sanctioned and recognized North American professional drifting championship series (sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing). A well established sport in Japan for more than a decade, Formula Drift, Inc. and its sister company Slipstream Global Marketing, Inc. had the vision and were instrumental in bringing the first official competition to the United States in 2003 at Irwindale Speedway. The unanticipated fan interest led to the rapid formation of the first ever, sanctioned and recognized drifting circuit, Formula Drift, which had its roots firmly grounded in Southern California, a hotbed for incoming Japanese-influence automotive trends. An important part of the program involves community outreach. Drivers and Formula D serve as the ambassador for the sport of drifting bringing exhibitions to traditional or mainstream motor sports events across the country which have included: Bridgestone Monterey Grand Prix/Champ Car Race, USAC, NASCAR Busch North & Featherlite Southwest and the SPEED World Challenge, among others. Basic rules and information about Formula Drift, as well as a race schedule and ticket information, are available at www.formulad.com.