Click above for a high-res gallery of the Formula Drift event at Irwindale Speedway

Formula Drift first announced the inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship back in July, and the final preparations are being made for the event this weekend. The top thirty-two drifters from around the world will slide their way around a specially-built six-turn course including a high-speed entry turn that should have many of the cars in excess of 100 mph. Things will get kicked off tomorrow, Thursday, November 13, with a parade of the competitors' cars and an autograph session in downtown Long Beach. The drivers will hit the track on Saturday for practice and qualifying, and on Sunday they will compete in a knockout-style bracket tournament with the winner taking home the largest purse in drifting history. Full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Formula Drift at Irwindale Speedway

[Source: Formula Drift]

Continue reading Formula Drift ramping up for Red Bull Drifting World Championship this weekend

Formula Drift ramping up for Red Bull Drifting World Championship this weekend originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It always seems a bit presumptuous when a "world champion" is declared for a sporting event played in America. After all, other countries have leagues for baseball, basketball, football, etc. Formula Drift, the most well known drifting association in the United States, isn't about to declare world superiority in the art of maneuvering a car sideways through a course, but it does want to find out who's the best. Partnering with Red Bull Energy Drink, Formula Drift will be bringing together the best drifters from around the world to compete head to head in one single event. The competition will be held in November on the docks in Long Beach, CA and will feature a purpose-built course that will test the limits of each driver's skills. With a few of us located in Los Angeles, you can be sure that Autoblog will be bringing you live coverage of the event. Full details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Formula Drift]

Continue reading Formula Drift announces World Championship of drifting

Formula Drift announces World Championship of drifting originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.