Provisional FD Standings and Points after Wall, NJ from The DriftZone Live Blog

[Mike Peters]

just put i got 3rd at wall and everythign will be okay.

[GBC]

man im giong to make dl and ed stickers and put them in a heart shaped rainbow on my back window and a gigantic pictrure of whitney houston

And just incase anyone wants to, they have my permission to use this free of charge.

[Tracy]

Now, now girls, you are both pretty! -5 both of you. Peters, -10 for you!!

[Mediaman]

Response from The DriftZone

A clarification is required to set straight a situation regarding reporting by The DriftZone's Live Blog of results from Wall, NJ. The DriftZone's Live Blog does not copy others' reported scores or results. There is no need to do so. We do not report from California an event that occurs in New Jersey. The DriftZone and The Live Blog are the only electronic media that has reported live, from the site of every 2006 and 2007 Formula Drift Event.

The DriftZone is the Official Video Podcast of Formula Drift and we work hand in hand with Formula Drift staff at every event. The Live Blog is the only media of any kind present on the judges stand or in the judges booth, with real-time access to every aspect of each event, including the scores and access to the judges, production and operations staff and the chief steward for clarification of any and all aspects of each event.

The Live Blog became aware within minutes of the conclusion of the Wall event of a possible irregularity involving Rhys Millen's car. We were aware that there might well be an adjustment in the points. The Chief Steward of the event had not concluded his investigation or determined what action, if any, might be required. As a result, we did not post any results or points implications at all Saturday evening.

Having been made aware of the irregularity by both a competitor and by Formula Drift staff, on the plane back to California, I ran several points scenarios that might eventuate from the actions I thought might be taken. Sensing how tight the championship might be in 2007, after the Sonoma round, I built an excel spreadsheet to help us calculate points scenarios in a much faster and more accurate manner than by hand calculations.

Upon my return to California, there was still no determination as to what action Formula Drift would take. Having seen that some points serials had been posted at various sites, which I knew might turn out to be incorrect, I made the decision to post the results, but note that they were provisional results and to indicate that Formula Drift had not yet certified them as official.

I must apologize in that the results I posted were incorrect because they were cut from an incomplete scenario I had been working on my spreadsheet while still on he plane rather than from the saved provisional version which reflected the provisional results based on Saturday's apparent results. As a result, the points and positions for second and third place were inaccurate.

The DriftZone and The Live Blog are very concerned about accuracy and for this glaring inaccuracy, I do apologize. However, that said, let me also be clear that as a journalist with over 35 years experience in broadcast and print, programming produced by my company, CKMedia is not pilfered from other sites or sources. Again, there is no need, and we simply don't do that.

I read and respect many of the media sources that report regularly on Formula Drift and drifting in general. Drifting.com is a highly regarded affiliate of The DriftZone and I value this relationship greatly.

CKMedia has worked hard to earn the trust of the staff, teams and drivers who populate the Formula Drift series and of thousands of drift fans who view our programming each week and read The Live Blog during each event weekend.

Now that the entire story is public and we have covered it on The DriftZone podcast (iTunes keyword: driftzone, www.thedriftzone.com) I wanted to post this explanation.

I want to assure all of them and anyone reading this post, that while as hard as we may try to prevent it, sometimes, inaccuracy happens- and when it does, we will correct it as soon as possible-and admit to it. But that said, also know hat that on The DriftZone and The Live Blog, plagiarism never happens.