Formula DRIFT (also known as Formula D or FD) is an American
drifting series, and was co-founded by Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage in 2003 as a sister company to Slipstream Global Marketing, the same partnership that introduced
D1 Grand Prix to the United States. The new entity would solely own, operate and launch the first official drifting series in North America. Formula DRIFT is not associated with the
FIA series of
formula racing
Formula racing, also known as open-wheel racing in North America, is any of several forms of open-wheeled single-seater motorsport. A "formula", first devised by FIA for its post–World War II single-seater races, is a set of regulations for ...
championships.
Formula DRIFT has 84 licensed drivers competing in PRO and PROSPEC (formerly PRO 2) as of June 2024. The series consists of an eight-round championship played out at race tracks across North America. Formula DRIFT is judged on line, angle, and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time.
North America
Drivers in North America can compete in regionally sanctioned PRO/AM organizations for licensing.
*USDrift – Mid-Atlantic
*East10Drift – Southeast
*Evergreen Drift – Pacific Northwest
*Colorado Drift – Colorado
*ND Drift – Minnesota
*Southwest Drift – Las Vegas
*Spec-D Drift series – Bincent Shreklund
*Hot Pit Autofest – California
*Full Lock Drift – Oklahoma
*US Drift Circuit – Florida
*Great Lakes – Pennsylvania
Winners and high finishers of these feeders series are then able to enter the Formula DRIFT PROSPEC series, a secondary national tour where drivers compete to move up to the main series.
Tracks
Current tracks
*
Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach, California. Seasons 2006
*
Road Atlanta
Road Atlanta (known for sponsorship reasons as Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta) is a road course located just north of Braselton, Georgia, United States. The facility is utilized for a wide variety of events, including professional and amateur spo ...
in Braselton, Georgia. Seasons 2004
*
Orlando Speed World in Orlando, Florida. Season 2015
*
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey. Season 2008
*
World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Seasons 2018
*
Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington. Seasons 2006
*
Utah Motorsports Campus in Grantsville, Utah. Seasons 2022
Former tracks
*
Wall Speedway in Wall, New Jersey. Seasons 2005–2007, 2009–2019
*
Autodrome Saint-Eustache in Saint-Eustache, Quebec. Seasons 2015 – 2017
*
Palm Beach International Raceway in Palm Beach, Florida. Seasons 2011 – 2013
*
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway (track complex formerly known as Las Vegas Speedway Park from 1993 to 1996, Las Vegas Speedway in 1992, Las Vegas International Speedway from 1990 to 1992, as the Las Vegas International Speedrome from 1972 to 1990) is a ...
in Las Vegas, Nevada. Seasons 2009 – 2012
*
Summit Point Motorsports Park
Summit Point Motorsports Park is a road racing and driver training facility located in Jefferson County, West Virginia about two hours west of Washington, D.C. in the state's Eastern Panhandle.
Current status
Summit Point Motorsports Park fea ...
in Summit Point, West Virginia. Season 2007
*
Reliant Center in Houston, Texas. Seasons 2004 – 2005
*
Soldier Field
Soldier Field is a multi-purpose stadium on the Near South Side, Chicago, Near South Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1924 and reconstructed in 2003, the stadium has served as the home of the Chicago Bears from the National ...
in Chicago, Illinois. Season 2005 – 2006
*
Sonoma Raceway
Sonoma Raceway (originally known as Sears Point Raceway, Golden State International Raceway and Infineon Technologies, Infineon Raceway) is a road course and dragstrip located at Sears Point in the southern Sonoma Mountains of Sonoma County, Cal ...
in Sonoma, California. Seasons 2004 – 2013
*
Lake Erie Speedway in Erie, Pennsylvania. Season 2021
*
Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California. Seasons 2004 – 2024
International presence
Formula DRIFT has increased its international presence every year since 2008 with the addition of demonstration and sister series in other countries. "Taking the Formula DRIFT brand internationally is a huge milestone. Our priority is to continue to build the Series here while growing the sport of drifting as a whole," said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. "We are very careful in choosing our event partners and take careful consideration of the boundaries of our international affiliates such as Drift Australia, MSC, and Pro Drift."
Sister series
Formula DRIFT Asia. Formula DRIFT Asia was created in 2008 with the inaugural FD Singapore competition. The first real international competition of its in Asia, held at the Changi Air Show Grounds. This historic event was sold out before the gates opened. Since then, Formula Drift Asia became its own championship series, the first Pan-Asian professional drifting championship. In 2009 and 2010, the Championship made stops in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
For the 2011/2012 Championship tour, Formula DRIFT Asia added an additional stop in Indonesia.
*Rd.1
Marina Bay Street Circuit,
Marina Bay, Singapore
Marina Bay is a bay located in the Central Area, Singapore, Central Area of Singapore, surrounded by the perimeter of four other planning areas, the Downtown Core, Marina East, Marina South and Straits View. The area surrounding the bay itsel ...
Season 2010
*Rd.2
Bangkok Wonderworld,
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...
Season 2010
*Rd.3
Dataran Merdeka,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Season 2010
The first Formula DRIFT Asia Champion was
Tengku Djan.
Exhibition events
* Date TBD International Competition –
Qatar Racing Club
* Date TBD International Competition –
Yas Marina Circuit
The Yas Marina Circuit (Arabic: حلبة مرسى ياس) is a 5.281 km (3.281 mi) motorsport circuit situated on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke. It has hosted the season-ending Formula One ...
* February 5, 2012, Demonstration –
Figali Convention Center
*May 27, 2012 International Competition – Location TBD
* June 11, 2011,
Formula Drift Ultimate Challenge at
Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway (formerly known as Texas International Raceway from September to December 1996) is a quad-oval Oval track racing#Intermediate, intermediate speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. It has hosted various major races since its inaugura ...
,
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, Tarrant County, covering nearly into Denton County, Texas, Denton, Johnson County, Texas, Johnson, Parker County, Texas, Parker, and Wise County, Te ...
* February 25, 2011,
Yas Marina Circuit
The Yas Marina Circuit (Arabic: حلبة مرسى ياس) is a 5.281 km (3.281 mi) motorsport circuit situated on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke. It has hosted the season-ending Formula One ...
,
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...
,
UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a federal elective monarchy made up of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi serving as i ...
* February 12, 2011,
Figali Convention Center,
Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
* January 17, 2010,
Figali Convention Center,
Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
* March 8, 2009,
Figali Convention Center,
Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
* August 23, 2008,
Monterrey Autodromo,
Monterrey, Mexico
Monterrey (, , abbreviated as MtY) is the capital and largest city of the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo León. It is the ninth-largest city and the second largest metropolitan area, after Greater Mexico City. Located at the foothills of th ...
* April 27, 2008,
Changi Air Show Grounds,
Singapore
Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...
* January 18–19, 2025,
ICC Tainan,
Tainan
Tainan (), officially Tainan City, is a Special municipality (Taiwan), special municipality in southern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on its western coast. Tainan is the oldest city on the island and commonly called the "Taiwan Prefecture, ...
,
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...
Regulations
Formula DRIFT has continued to refine its rulebook and technical regulations year to year in terms of car and competition regulations.
Car eligibility
Cars and their builds are constantly under review by the Formula DRIFT staff. The rule book is revised every year to promote fair and exciting drifting. Some cars and practices are written out of the rule book in order to keep a realistic and level playing field. During the 2004 season, the
Dodge Viper Competition Coupe was permitted to compete; subsequently it was ineligible in Formula DRIFT.
Although Formula DRIFT does not permit
front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a form of internal combustion engine, engine and transmission (mechanics), transmission layout used in motor vehicles, in which the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel-drive vehicles feature ...
cars, it does allow
all-wheel drive
An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand.
Types
The most common forms of all-wheel drive are:
;1x1 : All unicycles Reflects one axle with ...
cars to be converted to
rear wheel drive
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, in which the engine drives the rear wheels only. Until the late 20th century, rear-wheel drive was the most common configuration for cars.
Most rear-whee ...
, such as the
Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX is an all-wheel drive sport compact, sport compact car manufactured by the Japanese automaker Subaru, originally based on the Subaru Impreza, Impreza created for the World Rally Championship in 1992. Subaru claimed the name WRX ...
and
Mitsubishi EVO. In the United States, the
Scion tC
The Scion tC is a compact car manufactured by Toyota under its Scion brand from 2004 to 2016 over two generations: ANT10 (2004–2010) and AGT20 (2011–2016). Both generations were built in Japan. The tC was introduced first in the United State ...
is sold only in the FWD layout, but because it shares the same chassis as the AWD
Toyota Avensis
The is a mid-size/ large family car built in Derbyshire, United Kingdom by the Japanese automaker Toyota from October 1997 to August 2018. It was the direct successor to the European Carina E and was available as a four-door saloon, five-door ...
(sold only in the United Kingdom and Europe), it can be converted to a competition-ready RWD layout. This change sparked great debate between drifters in the series who felt that an original FWD vehicle should not be eligible due to the front cross member changes needed.
A trademark of Formula DRIFT competition cars is the very open engine rulebook. Formula DRIFT allows engines from other manufacturers to be swapped into competition cars. "Engine, transmission, ECU and/or final drive modifications are free, but only the rear wheels may propel the vehicle". This results in a huge variety of engine/chassis combinations as well as huge power outputs commonly in excess of 850+ whp. Vehicles wishing to compete for the Manufacturers Championship must use an engine from the same manufacturer as the chassis. Engine swaps remain very common with older models but can be seen with new builds as well.
Naturally aspirated
A naturally aspirated engine, also known as a normally aspirated engine, and abbreviated to N/A or NA, is an internal combustion engine in which air intake depends solely on atmospheric pressure and does not have forced induction through a turboc ...
or
supercharged
In an internal combustion engine, a supercharger compresses the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to produce more power for a given displacement. It is a form of forced induction that is mechanically powered (usually by ...
Chevrolet V8 engines are often used because of their availability and lower operating costs.
Suspension modification is widely open to development as long as stock pickup locations are utilized. Suspension tuning is a vital part of any successful Formula DRIFT team.
To keep cars in check Formula DRIFT institutes a maximum tire size based on the vehicles total weight.
Formula DRIFT cars are given fixed numbers for their cars and are not necessarily based on rankings.
Scoring and judging
Formula DRIFT uses its own scoring system that may differ from other drifting organizations. Often scoring systems for qualifying, tandem battles, and penalties are different.
Qualifying – Formula DRIFT competitors are allowed two non-consecutive judged solo runs to post their highest possible score in order to compete. The top 32 drivers with the highest qualifying scores are entered in a competition bracket pairing the highest scoring drivers against the lowest scoring drivers. 1st v. 32nd, 2nd v. 31st, 3rd v. 30th, etc. The drivers are judged on line, speed, angle, and overall impact. The judges can also make additional request at the drivers meeting for actions or techniques that will weigh in their decision making (ex; entry technique, racing line, proximity, etc.). Formula DRIFT drivers are scored on a points-deduction system where every driver will start their judged run with a perfect score of 100 pts. For every mistake, points will be deducted. These points will vary between .25 point to the most severe mistakes 1.75.
Competition – The top 32 qualifying drivers are paired up in an elimination bracket pairing the highest scoring drivers against the lowest scoring drivers. The biggest difference from qualifying is that now drivers face off head to head on the track in a tandem battle. The two cars run together side by side, each driver trying to show greater skill than the other. The highest qualifying driver leads on the first run, then on the second run the lower qualifying driver leads. Drivers are judged on the same basic criteria as qualifying but an emphasis is put on the interaction between the two drivers competing head to head. The lead driver will set the pace and driving line often trying to produce a gap between themselves and the following driver. The following driver will try to stay on top of the lead driver as close as possible without making contact with their vehicle. The goal is to mimic or "shadow" the lead drivers run while staying on their door throughout the run. It is possible for either driver to win either run. Often one driver will have a points advantage going into the second run. Driver mistakes (ex. 2 wheels off course, spinning out, avoidable contact, etc.) can also cause them to be given an automatic zero. The three-judge panel then will look at both runs and determine one of three outcomes; Driver 1 advances, Driver 2 advances, or if a winner can not be determined a "One More Time" will be called. In the event of a "One More Time" the drivers will then complete a new pair of runs. The drivers will face off again until a winner can be determined. The winner advance to the next bracket.
Competition Time Out – Drivers have a one-time option to utilize a "Competition Time Out" in order to attempt to fix their vehicle. In the event that a driver or car can not come to the start line in time for their tandem run the other driver will be allowed to run a solo lap to advance.
Overtaking – Follow cars are permitted to overtake or pass in certain instances. passes may only happen at inside clips, and can only be done so if the lead car is off line enough to allow the follow car to pass between them and the clip. If a successful pass is made the lead car run is deemed a zero.
The current judges are
Robbie Nishida (2023–), Brian Eggert (2012–), Chris Uhl (2020–). Kevin Wells is the Competition Director for the series.
Formula DRIFT Champions
United States
Note:
Chris Forsberg was the first driver to win 3 championships (2009, 2014 and 2016).
The second to win 3 championships was
James Deane, and the third was
Fredric Aasbø (2015, 2021, and 2022). Although he was the second to win 3 championships, Deane is the first and so far only Formula DRIFT driver who managed to win 3 championships in a row (2017, 2018 and 2019). Deane also became the first Formula DRIFT driver to win 4 championship titles (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2024).
Asia
PROSPEC Champions
Honors
Rookie of the Year
*2005 Mike Peters –
Chevrolet El Camino
*2006 Bill Sherman –
Nissan 240SX
*2007
Darren McNamara –
Toyota Corolla Coupe GT/Nissan SR20
*2008
Michihiro Takatori –
Nissan Skyline
The is a brand of automobile originally produced by the Prince Motor Company starting in 1957, and then by Nissan after the two companies merged in 1967. After the merger, the Skyline and its larger counterpart, the Nissan Gloria, were sold in ...
ER34
*2009 Eric O'Sullivan –
Subaru Impreza WRX STI
*2010
Fredric Aasbø –
Toyota Supra
is a sports car and grand tourer manufactured and developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation beginning in 1978. The name " supra" is a definition from the Latin prefix, meaning "above", "to surpass" or "go beyond".
The initial four generations ...
JZA80
*2011
Aurimas "Odi" Bakchis –
Nissan Silvia S14
*2012
Daigo Saito –
Lexus SC430
*2013 Mats Baribeau –
Toyota Mark II
*2014 Geoff Stoneback –
Nissan Silvia S14
*2015
Masashi Yokoi –
Nissan Silvia S15
*2016
Alex Heilbrunn –
BMW E46 M3
*2017
Piotr Wiecek –
Nissan Silvia S15
*2018 Dirk Stratton –
Chevy Corvette
*2019 Travis Reeder –
Nissan 240SX
*2020
Adam LZ –
Nissan Silvia S15
*2021
Simen Olsen –
Toyota GR Supra
*2022 Mike Power –
Nissan Silvia S15
*2023 Robert Thorne –
BMW E46
Most Improved Driver
*2007 Bill Sherman –
Nissan 240SX
*2008
Stephan Verdier –
Subaru Impreza WRX STI
*2009
Stephan Verdier – Cooper Tire
Subaru Impreza WRX STi
*2010
"Mad" Mike Whiddett –
Mazda RX8
The Mazda RX-8 is a sports car manufactured by Japanese automobile manufacturer Mazda between 2003 and 2012. It was first shown in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the direct successor to the RX-7. Like its predecessors ...
*2011 Matt Powers –
Nissan 240SX
*2012
Robbie Nishida –
Lexus SC300
*2013
Darren McNamara –
Nissan Silvia S14
*2014
Dean "Karnage" Kearney –
Dodge Neon
*2015
Alec Hohnadell –
Nissan Silvia S14
*2018 Matt Field –
Chevy C6 Corvette
*2019
Ryan Litteral –
Nissan 350Z
:
The Nissan 350Z (known as Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) in Japan) is a two-door, two-seater sports car that was manufactured by Nissan, Nissan Motor Corporation from 2002 until 2009 and marks the fifth generation of Nissan's Nissan Z-car, Z-car line. ...
*2020 Taylor Hull –
Cadillac ATS
*2021 Matt Field –
Chevy C6 Corvette
*2022
Ken Gushi –
Toyota GR86
*2023
Simen Olsen –
Nissan Silvia S15
*2024
Adam LZ –
BMW 2J E36
Driver of the Year
*2007
Chris Forsberg
*2008
Ryan Tuerck
*2009
Chris Forsberg
*2013
Fredric Aasbø
Hardest Charging Driver
*2007
Chris Forsberg
*2008
Robbie Nishida
*2010
Fredric Aasbø
*2011 Matt Powers
*2012
Daigo Saito
*2013
Robbie Nishida
*2014
Chelsea DeNofa
*2017
Jhonnattan Castro
*2018
Chelsea DeNofa
*2019
Piotr Wiecek
*2020
Chelsea DeNofa
*2021 Matt Field
Spirit of Drifting
*2007 Joon Maeng
*2008
Patrick Mordaunt
*2009
Taka Aono
*2011
Walker Wilkerson
*2012
Danny George
*2013
Robbie Nishida
*2014
Forrest Wang
*2015
Ken Gushi
*2018
Michael Essa
*2019 Pat Goodin
*2020 Jeff Jones /
Rome Charpentier (tie)
*2021 Jeff Jones
Superstar of the Year
*2008
Tanner Foust
Best Drifting Style
*2008
Daijiro Yoshihara
*2011
Daijiro Yoshihara
*2012
Fredric Aasbø
*2013
Daigo Saito
*2018
Forrest Wang
*2019
Chelsea DeNofa
*2020
Chris "The Fors" Forsberg
*2021
Chelsea DeNofa
*2022
Chelsea DeNofa
*2023
Fredric Aasbø
Best Personal Style
*2011 Matt Powers
*2012
Ryan Tuerck
*2013 Matt Powers
*2014
Ryan Tuerck
Best Looking Car
*2024 Adam Lz's E36
Crew Member of the Year
*2011 Mike Kojima
*2012 Mike Kojima
*2014 Brian Wilkerson
*2015 Nathan Tasukon
*2018 Stan Williams
*2019 Jimmie Cadwell
*2020 Jason Dixon
*2021 Greg Leone
Team Manager of the Year
*2010 Jonathon Bradford
*2011
Chris Forsberg
*2012
Stephan Papadakis
*2013
Michael Essa
*2014
Stephan Papadakis
*2015
Kenji Sumino
*2018
Stephan Papadakis
*2019
Stephan Papadakis
*2020
Stephan Papadakis
*2021
Stephan Papadakis
*2023
Stephan Papadakis
*2024 Christina Jones
Comeback of the Year
*2011
Rhys Millen
Rhys Rodney Millen (born 6 September 1972) is a New Zealand-born racing driver.
Nephew of IMSA GTS driver Steve Millen, son of Rodney and older brother of Ryan, is one of the America's top competitors in drifting. Prior to that he was a to ...
*2013
Michael Essa
*2015
Dean Kearney
*2018
Matt Coffman
*2019
Ryan Tuerck
*2024
Adam LZ
Fan Favorite
*2011
Walker Wilkerson
*2013
Fredric Aasbø
*2014
Fredric Aasbø
*2018
James Deane
*2019 Matt Field
*2020
Adam LZ
*2021
Chelsea DeNofa
*2022
Adam LZ
*2023
Adam LZ
All-time Formula Drift Pro event winners list
1.
Fredric Aasbø –20 wins
– 2014 at Wall Speedway and Texas – 2015 at Long Beach, Wall, Seattle, and Irwindale
– 2016 at Orlando and Canada
– 2017 at Orlando and Canada
– 2018 at Long Beach And St. Louis
– 2019 at Road Atlanta
– 2020 at St. Louis (Rd 1) And Irwindale (Rd 7)
– 2021 at St. Louis
– 2022 at Road Atlanta and Irwindale
– 2024 at Road Atlanta
– 2025 at Long Beach
2.
Vaughn Gittin, Jr. – 13 wins
– 2008 at Irwindale
– 2010 at Long Beach and Sonoma
– 2012 at Wall Speedway and Seattle
– 2014 at Road Atlanta and Miami
– 2016 at Road Atlanta and Wall Speedway
– 2018 at Irwindale
– 2020 at Seattle (Rd 3) and Seattle (Rd 4)
– 2023 at Road Atlanta
3.
James Deane – 11 wins
– 2017 at Long Beach, Road Atlanta, Seattle and Texas
– 2018 at Wall Speedway and Monroe
– 2019 at St. Louis
– 2024 at Long Beach, Englishtown, St. Louis, and Irwindale
4.
Aurimas Bakchis – 11 wins
– 2015 at Road Atlanta
– 2016 at Seattle
– 2017 at Wall Speedway
– 2019 at Long Beach and Orlando
– 2020 at Irwindale (Rd 8)
– 2021 at Road Atlanta, Long Beach, and Irwindale
– 2023 at St. Louis
– 2024 at Utah
5.
Chelsea DeNofa – 10 wins
– 2016 at Long Beach
– 2019 at Texas
– 2020 at St. Louis (Rd 2)
– 2021 at Orlando, Lake Erie, and Seattle
– 2022 at Seattle
– 2023 at Orlando, Seattle and Utah
6.
Chris Forsberg – 10 wins
– 2005 at Irwindale
– 2007 at Road Atlanta and Infineon
– 2008 at Long Beach
– 2009 at Road Atlanta and Seattle
– 2013 at Seattle
– 2014 at Long Beach
– 2018 at Orlando
– 2020 in Texas (Rd 6)
7.
Samuel Hübinette
Samuel Hübinette, a.k.a. The Crazy Swede (born 15 September 1971, in Jokkmokk, Norrbotten County), is a Sweden, Swedish professional Auto racing, race car driver and Cinema of the United States, Hollywood stunt driver. He started working as a tes ...
– 9 wins
– 2004 at Road Atlanta, Houston, and Infineon
– 2005 at Road Atlanta and Chicago
– 2006 at Long Beach, Chicago, and Wall Speedway
– 2007 at Summit Point
8.
Daijiro Yoshihara – 8 wins
– 2006 at Irwindale
– 2007 at Seattle and Wall Speedway
– 2010 at Road Atlanta and Wall Speedway
– 2011 at Road Atlanta and Seattle
– 2013 at Long Beach
9.
Ryan Tuerck – 7 wins
– 2009 at Long Beach and Irwindale
– 2015 at Orlando
– 2019 at Wall Speedway
– 2020 at Texas (Rd 5)
– 2022 at Long Beach
- 2024 at Seattle
10.
Tanner Foust – 7 wins
– 2006 at Road Atlanta
– 2007 at Irwindale
– 2008 at Englishtown and Sonoma
– 2009 at Las Vegas
– 2010 at Seattle and Irwindale
11.
Rhys Millen
Rhys Rodney Millen (born 6 September 1972) is a New Zealand-born racing driver.
Nephew of IMSA GTS driver Steve Millen, son of Rodney and older brother of Ryan, is one of the America's top competitors in drifting. Prior to that he was a to ...
– 7 wins
– 2004 at Irwindale
– 2005 at Wall Speedway
– 2006 at Infineon
– 2008 at Road Atlanta and Seattle
– 2011 at Las Vegas
– 2012 at Las Vegas
12.
Daigo Saito – 6 wins
– 2012 at Palm Beach and Irwindale
– 2013 at Road Atlanta, Wall Speedway, and Irwindale
– 2014 at Irwindale
13.
Justin Pawlak – 4 wins
– 2011 at Long Beach and Palm Beach
– 2012 at Long Beach and Road Atlanta
14. Matt Field – 4 wins
– 2016 at Texas and Irwindale
– 2021 at Englishtown
– 2023 at Long Beach
15.
Piotr Więcek – 3 wins
– 2017 at Irwindale
– 2018 at Texas
– 2019 at Seattle
16.
Ken Gushi 3 wins
– 2005 at Houston
– 2019 at Irwindale
– 2022 at Grantsville
17.
Tyler McQuarrie – 2 wins
– 2010 at Las Vegas
– 2011 at Irwindale
18.
Michael Essa – 2 wins
– 2013 at Palm Beach and Texas
20.
Darren McNamara – 2 wins
– 2009 at Wall Speedway
– 2014 at Seattle
One win each for:
# ''Alex Pfeiffer'' (2004 invitational at Irwindale featuring the top 16 Formula D drivers from 2004)
# Calvin Wan (2005 at Infineon)
#
Yukinobu Okubo (2006 at Seattle)
#
Mitsuru Haraguchi (2007 at Long Beach)
#
Toshiki Yoshioka (2008 at Las Vegas)
#
Stephan Verdier (2009 at Infineon)
#
Conrad Grunewald (2011 at Wall Speedway)
#
Masashi Yokoi (2015 at Texas)
#
Kristaps Bluss (2018 at Road Atlanta)
# Dylan Hughes (2022 at Orlando)
# Travis Reeder (2022 at Englishtown)
#
Kazuya Taguchi (2022 at St. Louis)
#
Adam LZ (2023 at Englishtown)
#
Nick Noback (2023 at Irwindale)
# Conor Shanahan (2024 at Orlando)
Drivers list
2024
PRO
PROSPEC
2023
PRO
PROSPEC
Tires – FD USA
A total of 17 tire manufacturers have sponsored drivers over the history of Formula DRIFT (USA) competition.
2024 Season
All PROSPEC drivers are required to run the spec
GT Radial Tire.
2023 PRO Tire Sponsors
*
GT Radial
*
Kenda Tire
*
Nexen Tire
Nexen Tire Corporation ( Korean: ) is a tire manufacturer headquartered in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province and Seoul in South Korea. It was established in 1942 under the name Heung-A Tire Company.
In 1985, Nexen dedicated a facility in Yangsa ...
*
Nitto Tire
, commonly known as Toyo Tires, is a multinational tire and rubber products company based in Itami, Japan. The company owns and operates eight factories in Asia, North America, and Europe and distributes tires and automotive components through ...
Vitour Tires*
Kumho Tire
Kumho Tire (formerly known as Samyang Tire) is a South Korean tire manufacturer. Kumho Tire was previously operated as a business unit of the Kumho Asiana Group. Since 2018, it is a subsidiary of Chinese tire conglomerate Doublestar.
Operation ...
(Debut Season)
2023 Season
All PROSPEC drivers are required to run the spec
GT Radial Tire.
The 2023 Season of Formula DRIFT saw the exit of
Falken Tire and
Federal Tire, as well as the introduction of
Vitour Tire, and the re-introduction of
Kenda Tire. Many drivers who were previously sponsored by Falken switched to GT Radial, while Kenda and Vitour picked up newer drivers, and some who were previously sponsored by Federal.
2023 PRO Tire Sponsors
*
GT Radial
*
Kenda Tire (Re-Debut Season)
*
Nexen Tire
Nexen Tire Corporation ( Korean: ) is a tire manufacturer headquartered in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province and Seoul in South Korea. It was established in 1942 under the name Heung-A Tire Company.
In 1985, Nexen dedicated a facility in Yangsa ...
*
Nitto Tire
, commonly known as Toyo Tires, is a multinational tire and rubber products company based in Itami, Japan. The company owns and operates eight factories in Asia, North America, and Europe and distributes tires and automotive components through ...
*
Vitour Tires (Debut Season)
2022 Season
All PROSPEC drivers are required to run the spec
GT Radial Tire.
2022 PRO Tire Sponsors
*
Falken Tire
*
Federal Tire
*
GT Radial
*
Nexen Tire
Nexen Tire Corporation ( Korean: ) is a tire manufacturer headquartered in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province and Seoul in South Korea. It was established in 1942 under the name Heung-A Tire Company.
In 1985, Nexen dedicated a facility in Yangsa ...
*
Nitto Tire
, commonly known as Toyo Tires, is a multinational tire and rubber products company based in Itami, Japan. The company owns and operates eight factories in Asia, North America, and Europe and distributes tires and automotive components through ...
2021 Season
All PROSPEC drivers are required to run the spec
GT Radial Tire.
2021 saw the exit of
Achilles Tire, and the introduction of
Federal Tire in PRO competition.
2021 PRO Tire Sponsors
*
Falken Tire
*
Federal Tire
*
GT Radial
*
Nexen Tire
Nexen Tire Corporation ( Korean: ) is a tire manufacturer headquartered in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province and Seoul in South Korea. It was established in 1942 under the name Heung-A Tire Company.
In 1985, Nexen dedicated a facility in Yangsa ...
*
Nitto Tire
, commonly known as Toyo Tires, is a multinational tire and rubber products company based in Itami, Japan. The company owns and operates eight factories in Asia, North America, and Europe and distributes tires and automotive components through ...
2020 Season
2020 was the first year of PROSPEC, which replaced PRO2 as the feeder competition series for PRO. 2020 also saw the debut of
GT Radial as a tire sponsor for both the PRO and PROSPEC series. All PROSPEC drivers are required to run the spec
GT Radial Tire – one of several new regulations for the new PROSPEC series.
2020 PRO Tire Sponsors
*
Achilles Tire
*
Falken Tire
*
GT Radial
*
Nexen Tire
Nexen Tire Corporation ( Korean: ) is a tire manufacturer headquartered in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province and Seoul in South Korea. It was established in 1942 under the name Heung-A Tire Company.
In 1985, Nexen dedicated a facility in Yangsa ...
*
Nitto Tire
, commonly known as Toyo Tires, is a multinational tire and rubber products company based in Itami, Japan. The company owns and operates eight factories in Asia, North America, and Europe and distributes tires and automotive components through ...
2019 Season
2019 Tire Sponsors
*
Achilles Tire
*
Falken Tire
*
Nexen Tire
Nexen Tire Corporation ( Korean: ) is a tire manufacturer headquartered in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province and Seoul in South Korea. It was established in 1942 under the name Heung-A Tire Company.
In 1985, Nexen dedicated a facility in Yangsa ...
*
Nitto Tire
, commonly known as Toyo Tires, is a multinational tire and rubber products company based in Itami, Japan. The company owns and operates eight factories in Asia, North America, and Europe and distributes tires and automotive components through ...
2018 Season
2018 Tire Sponsors
*
Achilles Tire
*
Falken Tire
*
Nexen Tire
Nexen Tire Corporation ( Korean: ) is a tire manufacturer headquartered in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province and Seoul in South Korea. It was established in 1942 under the name Heung-A Tire Company.
In 1985, Nexen dedicated a facility in Yangsa ...
*
Nitto Tire
, commonly known as Toyo Tires, is a multinational tire and rubber products company based in Itami, Japan. The company owns and operates eight factories in Asia, North America, and Europe and distributes tires and automotive components through ...
Formula Drift television coverage
Former ''Fox Soccer United States'' host Brandon Johnson hosted the ''Formula D'' show for
G4 in 2006. Rossi Morreale was the show's host in 2005. Johnson was joined by ''Attack of the Show'' co-host
Olivia Munn
Lisa Olivia Munn (born July 3, 1980) is an American actress. After an internship at a news station in Tulsa, she moved to Los Angeles where she began her professional career as a television host for the gaming network G4, and on the series '' ...
who covered the pits and drivers during the events and drifting expert
Adam Matthews who provided commentary and insight on the tandem battles. G4 aired each round on a tape-delayed basis. Jarod DeAnda is the
public address
A public address system (or PA system) is an electronic system comprising microphones, amplifiers, loudspeakers, and related equipment. It increases the apparent volume (loudness) of a human voice, musical instrument, or other acoustic sound sou ...
announcer at each event, earning him the moniker, "The Voice of Formula D." In 2005, G4 used DeAnda's event commentary track, but for 2006, used Johnson and Matthews calling each battle like a typical
play-by-play
In Broadcasting of sports events, sports broadcasting, a sports commentator (also known as a sports announcer or sportscaster) provides a real time (media), real-time live commentary of a game or event, traditionally delivered in the present t ...
/
color commentator
A color commentator or expert commentator is a sports commentator who assists the main (play-by-play) commentator, typically by filling in when play is not in progress. The person may also be referred to as a summariser (outside North America) ...
combination. Johnson and Matthews were on-site for each event, but it sounded as if they had taped their commentary after the event had already taken place. This practice is not uncommon in the motorsports business in post-production.
In the 2005 season, there were two people working the pits — driver interviewer Mayleen Ramey, who was a roving reporter for the half-hour episodes, and a second anchor, who patrolled around the car show at each event. In 2005, G4 used three reporters for this job. From the round in Wall to the round in Houston, actor
Emeka Nnadi held the job. At the Infineon round, ''
Attack of the Show!'' co-host
Kevin Pereira took the duties, while ''Street Fury'' host
Big C finished things out in Chicago and Irwindale. Also, G4 showed half-hour episodes in-between rounds, most of which focused on the network having its own
drift car built from scratch, with other segments focusing on the aspects of drifting. One of the first half-hour episodes in 2005 had one Formula D competitor,
Chris Forsberg go to Japan, and meet up with another competitor,
Daijiro Yoshihara, to explore the country and get more perspective on the birth of drifting. Episodes that featured event coverage lasted an hour and a half, and featured the top 16 tandem rounds, including those that needed to be run again, because the judges deemed them too close to call. These episodes aired the night after the next round in the series had already taken place.
In 2006, however, coverage was dramatically different. The half-hour episodes were gone, event coverage was reduced to an hour, and their scheduling was quite random. The Long Beach and Atlanta rounds premiered on June 18, with the Chicago round airing on July 2, and the Sonoma round airing a week after it took place. During the Sonoma round, G4 noted that the Seattle round would premiere on September 10, but that date was changed to October 8, with the last two rounds (Wall and Irwindale) airing every other week afterward. These episodes featured more interviews and driver profiles, many of which would've been placed in a half-hour show last year, and many of the tandem battles have been cut out, and any battle that needed to be run again did not have its second run shown. This led to some criticism from those in the drifting community, including fans and some Formula D drivers.
At the 2006
SEMA Show in
Las Vegas
Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...
, Formula D co-founders
Jim Liaw and
Ryan Sage announced that the series would have a new television partner in 2007. That partner was
ESPN2
ESPN2 is an American multinational pay television network owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remaining 20%).
ESPN2 was initially ...
. Each round began airing in a one-hour block on November 15 with the Long Beach round. All subsequent airings were supposed to be every Thursday afterward, but beginning with the Evergreen Speedway round on December 5, the air dates for new rounds switched to Wednesday.
The ESPN deal lasted just one season.
SPEED Channel
Speed was an American sports-oriented cable and satellite television network that was owned by the Fox Sports Media Group division of 21st Century Fox. The network was dedicated to motorsports programming, including auto racing, as well as a ...
aired all rounds of the 2008 Formula D season, as well as the World Championship, scheduled for after the Irwindale round. Events aired on Sundays, beginning with the Long Beach round on October 26; all airings began at 4 PM Eastern.
For 2010, Formula Drift announced a comprehensive race programming schedule with the sports network then known as
Versus (ironically co-owned with G4 by
Comcast
Comcast Corporation, formerly known as Comcast Holdings,Before the AT&T Broadband, AT&T merger in 2001, the parent company was Comcast Holdings Corporation. Comcast Holdings Corporation now refers to a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, not th ...
). The seven-stop Formula DRIFT Championship Series programs aired over fourteen Sundays during the 2 PM (EST) / 11 AM (PST) time slot beginning Sunday, August 30. Each episode showcased all the on- and off-track action as the world's top drift drivers battle for the coveted title of Formula DRIFT Champion. The first episode, aired on August 30, will feature a comprehensive overview of the sport and drivers. Each episode re-aired the week following the initial airing.
[2010 Versus package](_blank)
additional text. Coverage was slated to remain the same for the 2011 season.
In 2012, as a result of
NBCUniversal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC (abbreviated as NBCU and Trade name, doing business as NBCUniversal or Comcast NBCUniversal since 2013) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational mass media and Show business, entertainment conglomerate (comp ...
's acquisition by Comcast, Comcast's sports channels were combined under the
NBC Sports
NBC Sports is an American programming division for NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, that is responsible for sports broadcasts on their broadcast network NBC, the Cable television, cable channels NBC owns, and on Peacock (streaming service) ...
division, in an arrangement known as the NBC Sports Group; this resulted in Versus being re-launched as the
NBC Sports Network
NBCSN (also known as NBC Sports Network) was an American sports television channel owned by the NBC Sports Group division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It originally launched on July 1, 1995, as the Outdoor Life Network (OLN), w ...
on January 2, 2012.
Formula D coverage moved to
CBS Sports Network
CBS Sports Network (a.k.a. CBSSN) is an American digital cable and satellite television network owned by the CBS Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global. When it launched in 2002 as the National College Sports Network (later College Sports ...
for the 2015 season.
Internet Coverage
In 2010 Formula D joined forces with
Justin.tv
Justin.tv was a website created by Justin Kan, Emmett Shear, Michael Seibel, and Kyle Vogt in 2007 to allow anyone to broadcast video online. Justin.tv user accounts were called "channels", like those on YouTube, and users were encouraged t ...
to bring a live stream of all 7 events. All rounds were broadcast via
Justin.tv
Justin.tv was a website created by Justin Kan, Emmett Shear, Michael Seibel, and Kyle Vogt in 2007 to allow anyone to broadcast video online. Justin.tv user accounts were called "channels", like those on YouTube, and users were encouraged t ...
complete with practices and all rounds of competition were included. During the 2010 season over 1,000,000 viewers tuned in to watch the live action unfold over the 7 Pro Championship events.
2013 Formula D partnered wit
Livestreamfor the domestic series.
2014 Formula D partnered wit
Daily Motionfor its live stream.
Formula D now broadcasts online a
Formula Drift Liveand o
Motor Trend On Demand
Print Coverage
At the 2010
SEMA
Sama (; ) is a Sufi ceremony performed as part of the meditation and prayer practice dhikr. Sama means "listening", while dhikr means "remembrance".During, J., and R. Sellheim. "Sama" Encyclopedia of Islam, Second Edition. Ed. P. Bearman, T. B ...
show, FD co-founder Jim Liaw announced the Formula Drift would begin the quarterly publication of a Formula Drift's magazine in 2011. The publication will be handled b
Haymarket Media Group
See also
*
D1 Grand Prix
*
Drift Allstars
*
British Drift Championship
References
External links
*
Wrecked Magazine – Drifting's home in the United StatesDriftLive.com – Unofficial Formula D Coverage
{{Formula D seasons
Recurring sporting events established in 2004
Auto racing series in the United States