Formula D Slides Into the Spotlight in 2007; Millen's Solstice Ready for Season Debut

[Ming]

Formula D 2007 Preview
2007 promises to be the biggest and best Formula D season yet.
by IGN Cars



March 8, 2007 - The 2007 drift season hasn't even started yet, but we can already tell that Formula D - America's premiere drift series - is going to be bigger and better than ever. This year will mark the debut of new drivers, new cars, new tracks, new styles of competition and a brand-new TV package. Those lucky enough to compete in the series will be stoked to know that a lot more prize money is up for grabs, which should help offset some of the tire costs involved in this sport. Check out the official Formula D press release below.

Entering its fourth season, Formula DRIFT revs up for their most exciting year with a new TV package, new drivers and cars, new sponsors and partnerships, and almost a half million dollars in prize money available.

"This season of Formula DRIFT will be the most important and we are prepared to have all eyes on us," said Jim Liaw, Formula DRIFT President and Co-founder.

The partnership with IMG has already paid off, with ESPN2 signed as the exclusive broadcast partner for 2007, Formula DRIFT and drifting will be elevated to a new level. Seven 1-hour shows will be filmed with multiple repeats beginning in November 2007. IMG will work further to build the Formula DRIFT brand and the sport of drifting by applying their global marketing media and licensing resources.

In addition to the television broadcasts, Formula DRIFT has partnered with CK Media to provide an internet podcast with over 15 hours of downloadable online content, which can be found on www.thedriftzone.com

Joining the ranks of Formula DRIFT's professional drivers will be newly licensed, Nick Hogan, of VH1's "Hogan Knows Best" and son of wrestler Hulk Hogan. Hogan will make his professional drifting debut at the Formula DRIFT season opener in Long Beach on April 7, 2007.

New cars will enter the field and leading the way will be 2-time Champion Samuel Hubinette defending his title in a new Mopar Dodge Charger, while 2005 Champion Rhys Millen will drive a new Red Bull Pontiac Solstice. Other notable new cars this season include a Lexus IS 350, Corvette Z06, and Porsche 911.

Source: http://cars.ign.com/articles/771/771702p1.html

[superstreet]

ooo that solstice looks very cool

[logansowner]

That is a sweet car, a sweet car competing in a retarded sport. Gotta wonder where that came from.... couple wannabea NASCAR drivers.... "hey yall, that burnout Stewart did was great" "Yea man, I wish I could win a race and do an awesome burnout" "Hey yall wait errr a minute, who says you need to win to celebrate?"

Whatever, awesome looking Solstice though.

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by logansowner

That is a sweet car, a sweet car competing in a retarded sport. Gotta wonder where that came from.... couple wannabea NASCAR drivers.... "hey yall, that burnout Stewart did was great" "Yea man, I wish I could win a race and do an awesome burnout" "Hey yall wait errr a minute, who says you need to win to celebrate?"

Whatever, awesome looking Solstice though.

For the record, I agree with the oddity of this type of race, however Drifting was created in Japan by young drivers who wanted to figure out the fastest way to go down a windy road, it turns out drifting is the answer.

[frodo]

Originally Posted by logansowner

That is a sweet car, a sweet car competing in a retarded sport. Gotta wonder where that came from.... couple wannabea NASCAR drivers.... "hey yall, that burnout Stewart did was great" "Yea man, I wish I could win a race and do an awesome burnout" "Hey yall wait errr a minute, who says you need to win to celebrate?"

What the hell are you talking about?

If you ask me, NASCAR is the retarded sport. Drifting is intense and exciting which makes it fun to watch. Also, it takes a hell of alot of skill. NASCAR is just boring.
"Hey, lets drive in a circle for five hours in cars that are complete opposites of the production cars they represent!"
Yeah. There's a real sport.

[el es juan]

Originally Posted by logansowner

That is a sweet car, a sweet car competing in a retarded sport. Gotta wonder where that came from.... couple wannabea NASCAR drivers.... "hey yall, that burnout Stewart did was great" "Yea man, I wish I could win a race and do an awesome burnout" "Hey yall wait errr a minute, who says you need to win to celebrate?"

Whatever, awesome looking Solstice though.

Sigh....

[GotAWD]

Originally Posted by frodo

What the hell are you talking about?

If you ask me, NASCAR is the retarded sport. Drifting is intense and exciting which makes it fun to watch. Also, it takes a hell of alot of skill. NASCAR is just boring.
"Hey, lets drive in a circle for five hours in cars that are complete opposites of the production cars they represent!"
Yeah. There's a real sport.

i agree with what your saying althoug, it does take skill to follow a car at a meer 3" apart. im not gonna mock nascar driver for that. althoug i think the skill is more jacked. going sideways at 60ish??? at 3' apart is much more difficult.

[Birdman95]

While drifting isn't my cup of tea, I've got to give those drivers a ton of credit for what they do and the kind of talent and car control it takes to do well at it. I'm sure it's much harder than it looks, plus they've got some wicked-looking cars. And I really don't mean to get off the topic of drifting, but the whole NASCAR being boring just "because they go around in circles" thing, I think that's one of the more pointless reasons made to justify a dislike for the sport, but that's just me. It'd be just as easy to come up with something as equally baseless to explain a dislike for any form of motorsport, but what's the point? It's not that difficult to appreciate the various disciplines of racing and the talent each form takes to excel in, regardless of whether or not you like it.

[Sinner]

Originally Posted by logansowner

Drifting is a competion to see who can ruin tires faster. It's something 16 year old kids to in walmart parking lots.

So if NASCAR sucks because they don't race V-6 Impala's, what the hell do you think of 90% of the other racing formats that don't race stock vehicles.

And yes, drifting is stupid. And the only reason anyone gives a flying feck about it is becuase the rest of the 16 year olds that didn't already do it in walmart parking lots saw a movie that told them it was cool.

NASCAR is boring, yes, but drifting is stupid. OMG you don't agree with my opinion...:lol:

Drifting isn't a sport I will channel surf to find but that doesn't mean it doesn't have it's place. Drifting ranks right below rally racing in regards to car control. Drifting is a dance competition with cars. You should respect their talents as driver's and not call their sport stupid.

[Sinner]

Originally Posted by Birdman95

While drifting isn't my cup of tea, I've got to give those drivers a ton of credit for what they do and the kind of talent and car control it takes to do well at it. I'm sure it's much harder than it looks, plus they've got some wicked-looking cars. And I really don't mean to get off the topic of drifting, but the whole NASCAR being boring just "because they go around in circles" thing, I think that's one of the more pointless reasons made to justify a dislike for the sport, but that's just me. It'd be just as easy to come up with something as equally baseless to explain a dislike for any form of motorsport, but what's the point? It's not that difficult to appreciate the various disciplines of racing and the talent each form takes to excel in, regardless of whether or not you like it.

NASCAR while taking talent pales in comparison to the talent needed in road racing(World Challenge, ALMS, ect). I do find F1 to be just as pointless as it's the 180 degree opposite of NASCAR.

[nascarnate326]

Originally Posted by logansowner

So if NASCAR sucks because they don't race V-6 Impala's, what the hell do you think of 90% of the other racing formats that don't race stock vehicles.

And yes, drifting is stupid. And the only reason anyone gives a flying feck about it is becuase the rest of the 16 year olds that didn't already do it in walmart parking lots saw a movie that told them it was cool.

1. Impala has a V8, why mock the V6?
2. Alot of 'tuner' cars are fwd, much like a civic. Kind of hard to drift without rwd. Other wise its just fancy ebraking, and flatspotting tires.

The solstice is sweet, and I hope they do well.

[jzEllis]

Originally Posted by logansowner

And yes, drifting is stupid. And the only reason anyone gives a flying feck about it is becuase the rest of the 16 year olds that didn't already do it in walmart parking lots saw a movie that told them it was cool.

you've obviously never seen a drifting event, let alone real drifting in japan on public roads with 6 to 7+ cars running fender to door through the mountains or at 65-70 miles per hour on a sweeping industrial street! i still get chills just thinking about the sounds and smells of the cars, and the unbelievable car control exhibited!

real "street" drifting makes D1 and organized drift events look absolutely timid in comparison! but I'll take what i can get.

[AndrewGS]

Well, if the ZO6 is competing this year they might as well just not waste their time and money with the events.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

Well, if the ZO6 is competing this year they might as well just not waste their time and money with the events.

Good point - Hubinette's Viper certainly did dominate for a while there.

[LAChevy24]

i dont know about all this rabling going, im a fan of both nascar and drifting, and i also plan on going to this event. i did go to the event at irwindale if some remember, and i will try to get even more pictures from this event to share with you guys