All images and video courtesy of Formula DRIFT.
Formula DRIFT made two announcements at the 2017 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. One concerned sponsors and the other tires brands.
During the 2018-2019 season, Title Sponsor Black Magic and Official Sponsor Gumout will continue to support Formula DRIFT. Permatex and Fast Orange are joining the list of Official Sponsors for the 2018 Pro Championship, as well.
Black Magic’s BlackVue Dash Cameras will return to Formula DRIFT vehicles beginning in Round 1 at Long Beach, CA, come April.
Achilles Radial and Nexen Tire manufacturers entered into an exclusive relationship with Formula DRIFT and will be the Official Tire Suppliers of the 2018 and 2019 Formula DRIFT PRO 2 champtionships. These setps were taken to help teams with cost containment, competition parity and inventory management, along with helping to boost development of the next generation of PRO drivers.
“[2017] was an incredible season that saw the rise of two exceptional international drivers. It’s a testament of the talent in the Series having the best drifters in the world choosing Formula DRIFT to compete,” said Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “We look forward to our 15th season and have some exciting things planned for next year.”
October saw the final race in the 2017 season.
“I feel amazing,” said Piotr Wiecek, winner of Round 8: Title Fight. “It’s such a great atmosphere and such a great sport. I’d like to thank my whole crew and teammate James. What an unbelievable season.”
Formula DRIFT is currently heading toward Season 14, and the preliminary schedule has been released.
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1: Streets of Long Beach | April 6 to 7 | Long Beach, CA |
| Super Drift Challenge at GP of Long Beachh | April 13 to 14 | Long Beach, CA |
| Round 2: Invasion | April 27 to 28 | Orlando, FL |
| Round 3: Road to the Championship with PRO 2 | May 11 to 12 | Atlanta, GA |
| Round 4: The Gauntlet | June: Date TBD | Wall, NJ |
| Round 5: Throwdown | July: Date TBD | Monroe, WA |
| Round 6: TBD | August: Date TBD | St. Louis, MO or Montreal, CANADA |
| Round 7: Showdown with PRO 2 | Sept. 14 to 15 | Dallas, TX |
| Round 8: Title Fight with PRO 2 | October 12 to 13 | Las Vegas, NV |
Until action starts again, check out this video with Drift Pro 2 Champ Kevin Lawrence.
