Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Red Bull Drifting World Championship

Like Ferrari winning the Italian Grand Prix or a Mazda atop the podium at Laguna Seca, Rhys Millen scored a fitting victory in his Red Bull Pontiac Solstice GXP at the very first Red Bull Drifting World Championship over the weekend. The event featured the top thirty-two drifters from around the world at a purpose-built track at the ports of Long Beach, CA. Formula Drift drivers dominated the event, taking six of the eight spots in the quarter finals and all four places in the semi finals. Millen survived five knockout rounds, defeating the likes of Ken Gushi, Top Gear USA host Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gitten, and eventually beat out teammate Daijiro Yoshihara in the all-Pontiac finals. More details on the event are in the press release following the jump, and we weathered the tire smoke and flying bits of rubber to bring you plenty of fantastic high resolution photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 Red Bull Drifting World Championship

Continue reading Rhys Millen victorious at inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship

Rhys Millen victorious at inaugural Red Bull Drifting World Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.