Photos By: J. Martinez & www.theidagency.com
There is one event that SoCal drift fans wait patiently over the off-season to experience. Hands down, that event is the Streets of Long Beach. Not only is it the first Formula D event on the calendar but it’s also one of the larger spectacles and has an intense mid-way and exciting activities for thousands of drift heads. Now entering its seventh season, the crowd count was even larger this year for Formula D, who have become a dominant force in the drifting scene since their inception back in 2004.
With all of the reserved seating selling out before the main event even opened the doors, the crowds filled the grandstands, pits, and paddock quickly in order to not miss out on one second of action. Before tire smoke filled the Cali air, the event jammed in features and attractions that included the debut of the new Miss Formula DRIFT, the lovely Melyssa Grace. Off track, there was the ‘One of One Car Show’ produced by Fatlace, and MetroPCS. The show brought out SoCal’s hottest whips and was sanctioned by celebrity guest and world famous tattoo artist, Mister Cartoon.
But when the top 32 were decided and cars toe’d the line, the thousands of fans were treated to world class drifting with drivers from 13 countries.
“Currently there is no true world series of drifting, but today's event was as close as you can get," said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “With drivers from 13 nations and 12 current and former drifting champions, Formula DRIFT continues to grow drifting globally with the most diverse field of competitors than any other drifting series in the world.”
The Streets of Long Beach event kicked off in exciting fashion with the debut of new drivers, sponsors, and vehicles. Two-time Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust piloting the Rockstar Energy Scion TC met rookie Fredric Aasbo in the Japan Auto / FSR Toyota Supra in the consolation round for third place. Foust outmatched the rookie and secured his third place finish. The finals came down to veteran drifters Rhys Millen in the RMR Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Vaughn Gittin in the Monster Energy / Falken Ford Mustang. Gittin secured the victory with aggressive driving of his brand new vehicle to earn the victory and the early lead in the Pro Championship Standings.
“What an insane event!,” said Vaughn Gittin, of Team Falken “Big thanks to Falken for providing incredible tires, Ford for the new car and engine, and my team at ASD for putting together a competitive vehicle despite being brand new. This is unbelievable!”
If you couldn’t make it to Long Beach, it was no biggie because for the first time a Live Stream provided by YoParts.com was made available to all fans that could not be at the event in person and gave them the ability to catch a glimpse of all the action from home!
“This is the first event to launch the live stream and it was very successful,” said Tom Masiero, founder of YoParts.com. “Over the two days the live stream was active we had thousands of unique viewers. This does not even include the viewers on mobile applications, which we do not have the statistics for yet. We look forward to bringing all the 2010 Formula DRIFT live action to households across the globe.”
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