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Thanks to www.urbanracer.com for the news.
Formula D
The 2005 Need for Speed Formula Drift series was a success by all accounts. The series visited 6 different cities and put on demonstrations in countless more at everything from the Long Beach Grand Prix to ALMS and Champ Car races. A national TV package with G4TV brought Formula D to more than just the thousands of fans that attended each event; with a prime-time Sunday night spot, 52 million homes got 16 episodes of Formula D痴 brand of excitement. Media coverage was equally phenomenal; traditional automotive magazines took notice, but so do non-endemic outlets like Men痴 Health and Esquire.
So if thing ain稚 broke, why fix it? Because Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage, the two masterminds behind Formula D, think they can make it better. Here are the changes and additions for 2006.
-New Judging Format
Gone are the hack editors and JDM drivers. Three judges will now feel the ire of competitor and spectator alike ・former drivers Alex Pfeiffer and Andy Yen, along with Best Motoring Video痴 Ken Takahashi ・the only returning Formula D judge.
- Rule Book Changes and Advisory Panel
To reduce conflict and keep things transparent, Formula D announced a comprehensive revision of the rulebook by the SCCA. They also announced the installation of an Advisory Panel voted on by the competitors and comprised of Moto Miwa, Rhys Millen, and Henry Chung, which would help resolve any conflicts that should arise.
-Licensing Program
To help give the amateurs a better shot, Formula D also announced a program with Drift Association to help potential competitors gain the skills and experience to compete in the series.
- More Sponsors, Tires and Cars
With 90% of their sponsors retained for 2006, Formula D痴 support appears strong. Bridgestone will be entering the hot tire battle between Cooper, Dunlop, Falken, Nitto, Toyo, and Yokohama in 2006, along with rumors that Federal may be entering the mix. New cars include the Subaru WRX campaigned by Ken Gushi痴 dad Tsukasa, a Dodge Charger for 2005 2nd Place finisher Sam Hubinette 2006, a Pontiac Solstice for 2005 Champion Rhys Millen, and rumors of a V8 powered 350Z for Falken痴 Chris Forsberg.
-Shootouts and Demonstration
To further promote the series, Formula D announced plans to hold shootouts and demos in a wide variety of locations and a broad range of events. There was even talk of an invitational competition in Mexico City.
-2006 Schedule
Changes from 2005 included the switch from Houston to Seattle, along with the addition of Long Beach Grand Prix course, which had been the site of one of Formula D痴 most memorable drifting exhibitions. The 2006 series will begin and end in Southern California.
April 2 Streets of Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
May 13 Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
June 11 Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
July 9 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA
August 20 Evergreen Raceway, Seattle, WA
September 9 Wall Speedway, Wall, NJ
October 21 Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, CA
Formula D
The 2005 Need for Speed Formula Drift series was a success by all accounts. The series visited 6 different cities and put on demonstrations in countless more at everything from the Long Beach Grand Prix to ALMS and Champ Car races. A national TV package with G4TV brought Formula D to more than just the thousands of fans that attended each event; with a prime-time Sunday night spot, 52 million homes got 16 episodes of Formula D痴 brand of excitement. Media coverage was equally phenomenal; traditional automotive magazines took notice, but so do non-endemic outlets like Men痴 Health and Esquire.
So if thing ain稚 broke, why fix it? Because Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage, the two masterminds behind Formula D, think they can make it better. Here are the changes and additions for 2006.
-New Judging Format
Gone are the hack editors and JDM drivers. Three judges will now feel the ire of competitor and spectator alike ・former drivers Alex Pfeiffer and Andy Yen, along with Best Motoring Video痴 Ken Takahashi ・the only returning Formula D judge.
- Rule Book Changes and Advisory Panel
To reduce conflict and keep things transparent, Formula D announced a comprehensive revision of the rulebook by the SCCA. They also announced the installation of an Advisory Panel voted on by the competitors and comprised of Moto Miwa, Rhys Millen, and Henry Chung, which would help resolve any conflicts that should arise.
-Licensing Program
To help give the amateurs a better shot, Formula D also announced a program with Drift Association to help potential competitors gain the skills and experience to compete in the series.
- More Sponsors, Tires and Cars
With 90% of their sponsors retained for 2006, Formula D痴 support appears strong. Bridgestone will be entering the hot tire battle between Cooper, Dunlop, Falken, Nitto, Toyo, and Yokohama in 2006, along with rumors that Federal may be entering the mix. New cars include the Subaru WRX campaigned by Ken Gushi痴 dad Tsukasa, a Dodge Charger for 2005 2nd Place finisher Sam Hubinette 2006, a Pontiac Solstice for 2005 Champion Rhys Millen, and rumors of a V8 powered 350Z for Falken痴 Chris Forsberg.
-Shootouts and Demonstration
To further promote the series, Formula D announced plans to hold shootouts and demos in a wide variety of locations and a broad range of events. There was even talk of an invitational competition in Mexico City.
-2006 Schedule
Changes from 2005 included the switch from Houston to Seattle, along with the addition of Long Beach Grand Prix course, which had been the site of one of Formula D痴 most memorable drifting exhibitions. The 2006 series will begin and end in Southern California.
April 2 Streets of Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
May 13 Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
June 11 Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
July 9 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA
August 20 Evergreen Raceway, Seattle, WA
September 9 Wall Speedway, Wall, NJ
October 21 Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, CA
I can't wait! It's going to be fun!
well, at least there'll be proper judging going on 
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