http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/ Autoblog Comments for Pontiac unveils Red Bull Solstice GXP drifter to replace GTO http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/
http://www.carandmodel.com/albums/formula_drift_formulad_d_long_beach_round_1_20060402-drift/aje.jpg]]>Apr 28th 2006 9:07AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/Apr 28th 2006 10:15AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/Apr 28th 2006 11:48AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/Apr 28th 2006 12:06PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/Solctice
550 HP @ 7800 rpm est.
450 lb-ft @ 6800 rpm est.
http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/attachment.php?s=89adafecf19f333e75e93249ead1ff2a&attachmentid=5317&d=1146190167

GTO
Displacement: 5.7L
Maximum Output: 490 HP @ 6007 RPM
438 lb.ft of Torque @ 5406 RPM ]]>Apr 28th 2006 12:24PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/Apr 28th 2006 12:49PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/
And for the group of haters about to arrive and post there comments, go to an event once before you have your opinions, its truly automotive nirvana. Well for some.]]>Apr 28th 2006 1:20PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/Apr 28th 2006 1:40PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/
Have you ever attended a drifting event? ]]>Apr 28th 2006 3:14PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/Apr 28th 2006 4:42PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/Apr 28th 2006 9:32PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/Apr 28th 2006 11:03PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/
PS The reason the US cars are having success isn't mega bucks sponsorship. They all have that; the top japanese cars are insane and have big time backing. What a lame excuse. The US cars are simply longer and thus have more polar inertia. By the way, people over 30 used to call it "POWERSLIDING" not drifting. ]]>Apr 28th 2006 11:32PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/May 2nd 2006 2:41PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/May 2nd 2006 2:47PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/May 3rd 2006 2:50AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/
The reason they're winning is cos they're experienced, talented drivers with great teams behind them. The reason that US teams are dominating Formula D is because it's a US championship with a US audience. I don't see too many GM, DCX or Ford teams competing in D1. Cos that's a Japanese championship, with sponsors for a Japanese audience. The sponsors over there tend to be parts and tuners anyway, not manufacturers.

Why aren't the Japanese manufacturers stepping up here? Well they are, just not as overtly. Nissan apparently supplied Chris Forsberg's new car. I believe that Honda has some involvement with Steph Papadakis, not sure about Alex Pfeiffer. But most of the others don't have a RWD sports car (Toyota, Mitsu, Subaru), and Mazda already has a huge motorsports program. Drifting is the wrong image for Lexus and the Euro premiums, so you're left with the US teams.

Secondly, both Rhys and Sam have (at least) one 'day job' each..
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1949623/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1784667/

The figure skating analogy is tired. Plenty of sports/activities are based on judged points outcomes. Skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, hell even boxing is scored by a judging panel. Drifting is judged on technical criteria - entry speed, angle and so on.

When it comes down to it, you're standing at the edge of the track with two cars coming towards you sideways at 80mph, screaming past inches apart with the crowd roaring. At its best, it's a visceral experience, just like motorsport should be. You can smell it, feel it in your stomach, pick the bits of rubber out of your hair. Everyone from my 5 year old son to my 70+ year old father-in-law has enjoyed seeing it live.

Hopefully that helps explain a few things.
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I'll be wondering if the shorter wheelbase will be too much of a handful in addition to the different type of powerband, but all in all the Solstice looks to be a good contender. very strange design but if its fast thats a plus.]]>May 13th 2006 10:51AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/
i think drifting is stupid but if it helps bring back RWD then it cant be all bad. the word is out, fwd is wrong wheel drive for preformance.]]>May 19th 2006 5:29AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/pontiac-unveils-red-bull-solstice-gxp-drfiter-to-replace-gto/May 19th 2006 5:32AM