Would you watch Formula Drift in 3D?

If you can't make it to a Formula Drift event this year, but you have a 3D television and DirecTV, you're in luck! According to a press release from Formula Drift, you can now catch “Round 7: Title Fight Event” on DIRECTV’s 3D channel, n3D, powered by Panasonic, channel 103. Check out the details below! This will be a great alternative for those of you who can't make it to the event but would love to see it up close and personal.

DIRECTV To Debut First Formula DRIFT Program in 3D
Long Beach, Calif. – Jan. 27, 2011 – DIRECTV is bringing the race track into the living room with the exclusive 3D broadcast of Formula DRIFT’s “Round 7: Title Fight Event” on DIRECTV’s 3D channel, n3D, powered by Panasonic, channel 103. Beginning Friday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, DIRECTV customers will have access to two, one-hour specials, which will offer extensive race coverage, behind the scenes footage and exclusive interviews, all in 3D.

Produced by DIRECTV and Formula DRIFT, the 3D special will follow the heated action surrounding the final event of Formula DRIFT’s 2010 season, which was held at the Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif., last October. The footage will include:

• Complete coverage of the “Title Fight” season finale, including the final battle between two-time Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin.
• Exclusive interviews with Formula DRIFT pro drivers.
• Drifting tips by pro drivers, including Tanner Foust
• Behind the scenes with Formula DRIFT owners Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage.
• Coverage of off-the-track action including fans, vendors, import models and more.

“Watching Formula DRIFT’s championship series at home in 3D will make every counter steer, plume of smoke and wreck feel like it is happening in the middle of your living room,” said Chris Long, senior vice president, Entertainment, DIRECTV. “Our 3D technology enables us to take what is already an exciting event and make it even more compelling for viewers to experience at home.”

“This was a very ambitious project given that it is the first of its kind for the sport of drifting and also taking into consideration the sheer nature of 3D filming and the nature and physics of the sport,” said Ryan Sage, vice-president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “DIRECTV came in and really nailed it. Viewing Formula DRIFT in 3D is probably one of the most visceral and exciting things to view in the 3D genre right now.”

2011 DMCC Schedule Released

According to Wrecked Magazine, the 2011 Drift Mania Canadian Championship schedule has just been released. It includes a mix of day and night events and ends with a 3-day event at Circuit Icar. Check it out below:

Round 1: Autodrome du Montmagny – June 4-5 – Night Event
Round 2: Circuit Icar – June 25-26 – Night Event
Round 3: Victoriaville – July 9-10 – Day Event
Round 4: Autodrome du Montmagny – July 23-24 – Night Event
Round 5: Mosport International Raceway – August 14 – Day Event Pro
Round 6: Circuit Icar – September 3-5 – 3 Day Event

XDC Announces Championship Structure and Doubles Drivers Payouts in 2011

January 21, 2011 (Tustin, Calif.) – Entering its second season of competition, the Xtreme Drift Circuit is proud to announce the payouts for its 2011 season which will feature local, regional, national, and international prize purses.

With a total payout of $92,400, XDC will be able to expand its support of the country’s grassroots and aspiring professional drifters with its Five Ways to Win – individual events, XDC Canada, XDC East, XDC West, and the XDC National Championship. Thanks to expanded support after a successful first season, the XDC is able to invest in driver development with increased prizing in an effort to grow the sport.

The 2011 XDC National Championship will take points from four events – three divisional events (XDC East or XDC West) and the finale at Texas Motor Speedway. Drivers may compete in both divisions, but will only carry their highest divisional point total to the XDC Finale. The XDC National Championship will offer a $10,000 purse to the top three drivers.

Drivers will qualify for the XDC Finale by entering at least one XDC East or XDC West event. Each divisional championship will feature a total purse of $3,000 divided amongst the top three in the championship. Each individual event will offer $9,000 paid out from first to eighth, as well as the top three in qualifying.

The XDC Montreal event will be XDC’s first International event and will not award points to the XDC East or West divisions, but will hand out $13,500 to the top-16.

“I am truly excited about the way the Xtreme Drift Circuit is shaping up for the drivers and fans in 2011,” said Brian Eggert, Competition Director of the XDC. “With two divisions this season, the XDC is taking the right steps in creating a format that will make the sport more accessible for both new and seasoned drivers by eliminating the need to travel across the nation so they can concentrate more on being competitive. In addition, the prize packages have been increased greatly, making this season even more rewarding for the drivers and all their hard work.”

“This is a series for dudes to grow and get their feet wet, so to speak, in honest competition,” said Matt Petty, XDC judge. “XDC in my mind is for fun first, with good payouts for drivers who don’t have the money to burn on a full cross country jaunt for drifting.”

The second season of the Xtreme Drift Circuit will see many drivers familiar to fans of the XDC’s inaugural season. Chelsea DeNofa will be returning to defend his 2010 title, while event winners Doug Van Den Brink, Matt Waldin, Miro Ovcharik, and Dave Briggs have stated their intent to compete in XDC in the new year. Also scheduled to compete in the series will be Canadian Pat Cyr, Texas crowd favorite Nate Hamilton, and Australian Sarah Burgess, who will move from the role of team owner to driver of the BMI Mazda RX-8.

“Our emphasis, the same as it was last year, is on the grassroots and aspiring professional drifters of North America,” said Mike Munar, president of XDC Events. “This year we are able to put more back into the hands of our drivers to help them continue to compete in XDC or move on to further their professional careers. Either way, our goal is to continue to support them and put on a great show for the spectators that attend our events from coast-to-coast.”

2011 XDC Events Schedule

March 11-12 | XDC West | Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, CA
April 22-23 | XDC West | Firebird Raceway, Chandler, AZ
May 14-15 | XDC East | Central Florida Racing Complex, Orlando, FL
June 17-18 | XDC East | Summit Point Raceway, Summit Point, WV
July 2-3 | XDC East | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC
August 13-14 | XDC West | Pacific Grand Prix, Seattle, WA
September 4-5 | XDC International | Montreal, Quebec
September 23-24 | XDC Finale | Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX

XTREME DRIFT CIRCUIT

The XDC showcases the country’s rising Drift stars, featuring an eight-round drifting championship set in a full-scale lifestyle festival. Now in its second season, the XDC remains committed to driver development and investing in the future of Drifting. For more information, visit www.xtremedriftcircuit.com. Competitors with rulebook and technical questions should contact Michael Collins at mike.c@usdrift.com. Drivers with general event questions should contact Brian Eggert at brian@xtremedriftcircuit.com, or by calling (804) 65-PROAM (77626).

Chris Forsberg at Inaugural Formula DRIFT UAE Invitational Competition

A Formula DRIFT press release Wednesday announced the official entry list for the Inaugural Formula Drift UAE Invitational Competition at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on February 25, 2011. The official roster of drivers includes: past Scandinavian champion, Fredric Aasbo, 2009 Formula DRIFT champion, Chris Forsberg, 2-time Formula DRIFT champion and 3-time X-Games Gold Medalist Tanner Foust, top ranking driver, Ryan Tuerck, past New Zealand champion and Formula DRIFT USA & Asia competitor, Mike Whiddett, Formula DRIFT veteran Daijiro Yoshihara and Formula Drift regulars Ken Gushi, and Michael Essa along with Tony Brakohiapa as the alternate driver.

Tickets can be purchased online for the event, but if you can't make it, the competition will be streaming live via the DriftStream on FormulaDrift.com. The live stream will air on February 25, 2011, but check the website for times.

JDM Allstars 2011 Schedule - European Series

Straight from Drifting.com, JDM Allstars posted the 2011 schedule for DRIFT ALLSTARS - European Series. From England and France to Italy and Poland, JDM Allstars is giving their strong European following an event schedule they can't miss.

Round 1– Teesside Autodrome, England April 9-10th

Round 2- Sunderland,England May 14/15th

Round 3- Malta June 10-12th

Round 4- Anneau Du Rhin, France June 24/25th

Round 5- Donington Park, England July 15-17th

Round 6- Wembley,England September 16-17th

Sept 23-24th /October 1-2nd TBC European Battle of Nations Finals Poznan, Poland

2011 Formula Drift and XDC Schedules Released

The 2011 schedules for both Formula Drift and Xtreme Drift Circuit were just released this month. While some of the dates are still subject to change, here is the full list of all of the events for this year.

2011 Formula Drift Schedule
April 9 – Streets of Long Beach
May 7 - Road Atlanta
June 4 - Palm Beach International Raceway
June 18 - Wall Speedway, New Jersey
July 23 - Evergreen Speedway
August 27 - Las Vegas Motor Speedway
October 8 - Irwindale Speedway


2011 Xtreme Drift Circuit Schedule
March 11/12 – Irwindale Speedway
April 22/23 - Firebird International Raceway; Phoenix, AZ
May 14/15 - Central Florida Racing Complex; Orlando, FL
June 17/18 - Summit Point with Hyperfest; West Virginia
July 2/3 – Charlotte Motor Speedway
August 13/14 – Pacific Grand Prix; Seattle, WA
September 4/5 - St. Eustache Autodrome; Montreal, QB
September 23/24 – Texas Motor Speedway; Fort Worth, TX

Drifting in FDR Park

I love this video of Andy from Drift Alliance/Shoot First Productions that was on the Keep Drifting Fun blog. This clip is of Andy driving his "stock, one-wheel-peeler Nissan 240sx" around FDR park in Philadelphia, PA...where you'll usually find more people skateboarding than drifting. Check it out.

RALLYDRIFT: FDR in the Winter from Drift Alliance on Vimeo.

Chris Forsberg’s Reverse Entry with Missile S13

Chris Forsberg's Reverse Entry in his Missile S13
Check out Chris Forsberg’s missile entry S13 along with some other clips from Wrecked Magazine. Make sure you watch until the very end. Good stuff.

HELIX Drinks Signs Matt Waldin for 2011

For the 2011 Formula Drift Series, Matt Waldin has signed with HELIX Drinks, an energy drink company, allowing him to run a complete season. HELIX recently expressed their excitement to announce their title sponsorship of the Matt Waldin Racing professional drift team in a press release posted to Matt's blog on Jan. 3.

HELIX Drinks will support Waldin and his 2008 Nismo 350Z for all Formula Drift events in the United States allowing him to be a true contender in the series. HELIX Drinks and Matt Waldin Racing will team up for the entire series and for other industry events and programs throughout the 2011 season.

The Formula Drift series begins in Long Beach, Calif. in April and continues
across the country through October. Find more information at www.FormulaD.com.

Best of luck to Matt!