Formula DRIFT 2018 Is Coming

Formula DRIFT 2018 is coming, here are all the details that you are going to need to make the most out of the upcoming premier drifting series.

Jump to 2018 Formula DRIFT dates

Formula DRIFT – the world’s premier competitive drifting series – is delighted to announce its return to The House of Drift at Irwindale Speedway in Southern California for the Final Round on October 12/13, 2018.

Irwindale Speedway hosted the very first drift event in North America and has become synonymous with the fastest growing motorsport in the world.

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Towards the end of 2017, Irwindale Speedway management announced it would be closing and Formula DRIFT actively sought an alternative venue. Its 2018 schedule initially indicated the 2018 Pro and Pro 2 Finals would take place in Las Vegas.

However, everybody associated with Formula DRIFT was delighted to learn that Irwindale Speedway is under new management and has signed a three-year deal to keep the series at The House of Drift.

“We are excited to announce our return to Irwindale Speedway, although we never really left!” said Jim Liaw, co-founder and president of Formula DRIFT.

“Fans and drivers alike appreciate its importance to the series, its place in the history of drift, and the amazing spectating opportunities its provides.”

2018 Formula DRIFT dates

With the return of Irwindale Speedway, the 2018 Formula DRIFT calendar is as follows:

Round 1 Long Beach, CA April 6-7
Motegi Super Drift Long Beach, CA April 13-14
Round 2 Orlando, FL April 27-28
Round 3 Atlanta, GA May 11-12
Round 4 Wall, NJ June 1-2
Round 5 Monroe, WA July 20-21
Round 6 St Louis, MO August 10-11
Round 7 Fort Worth, TX September 14-15
Round 8 (Finals) Irwindale, CA October 12-13

THURSDAY NIGHT DRIFT

More good news following the three-year agreement is the return of Thursday Night Drift to Irwindale Speedway. Amateur drivers will be able to test their skills on the Irwindale Speedway oval, giving drifters a regular place to meet and practice.

Each of the monthly Thursday night sessions will start at 4pm with vehicle tech inspections, followed by drift practice from 5-9pm. Thursday Night Drift sessions are open to the public and fans can watch from the grandstands or visit the pits. Admission is only $10* per person and spectators will be able to watch some of the best upcoming drivers. There will also be occasional appearance from professional drift drivers who sometimes use the opportunity to test their vehicles.

Anybody can run their safely prepared drift car for $75* and participants can register on arrival at Irwindale Speedway.

*Prices subject to confirmation.

FORMULA DRIFT PRO-AM SERIES

Negotiations are underway for a new Formula DRIFT Pro-Am series, which will take place at Irwindale Speedway. It will run a limited calendar through 2018 and is designed to encourage more amateur drifters to step up to the professional series. It will give everybody an opportunity to raise their skill level under competitive conditions. More details will follow shortly.

MAXIMUM DRIFTCAST

The Formula DRIFT team will be guests on the Maximum Driftcast podcast at 6pm PST today (Monday, February 26, 2018) to talk about the series return to Irwindale Speedway, the three-year deal, return of Thursday Night Drift and the Formula DRIFT Pro-Am series. You can access the podcast on iTunes or maximumdriftcast.com.

ABOUT FORMULA DRIFT

Formula DRIFT is recognized as the leading international drifting championship. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges each driver’s ability and control. Formula DRIFT provides a series for professional drifters to compete nationwide for the coveted Formula DRIFT Championship. As the first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting drift fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life, and established itself as the global leader for the sport.

Formula DRIFT has the most viewed livestream in the world, catering to more than 2.5M fans annually. The series is also featured on CBS Sports in the USA and distributed globally by IMG Media, reaching over 400M households. CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers, and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, visit cbssportsnetwork.com

For a competition schedule and ticket information, visit formulad.com

FOLLOW FORMULA DRIFT ONLINE

formulad.com
instagram.com/formulad
facebook.com/formuladrift
twitter.com/FormulaDrift

Tune into Formula DRIFT on CBS Sports and check your local listings for air times.

Written by Joe Terrell

Joe is an avid writer and car enthusiast. When he's not cruising the streets alongside his friends in his Nissan Silvia S15, he's drifting on his VR racing simulator.

Joe's passion for cars is always on display. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the automotive industry, he hopes his writing conveys his excitement and knowledge of cars and games.

Joe's work has been featured on many platforms including drivetribe.com, 180sx.club, carthrottle.com, smartdrivinggames.com, databox.com and ceoblognation.com.

When he's not behind the wheel or at his keyboard, he's likely daydreaming of his ultimate ride - the legendary Lexus LFA.

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