JUPITER, FL – June 3, 2011 – Activity was non-stop at Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) on Friday with the opening practice and qualifying sessions for Formula DRIFT – Round 3: Invasion.
Fans packed the grandstands and watched as nearly 100 drifters wheel race cars into tight turns inches apart, spinning and smoking the tires in what appeared to be synchronized racing. Crowds worked their way around the track to discover the optimal viewing places to ensure they were in the right spot for Saturday’s eliminations.
After two practice sessions, drivers took to the track for qualifying. In the two-lap qualifying attempts, drivers were scored on speed, line, angle and overall impression. At the end of the session, Chris Forsberg earned 93 points and the top spot with his 2011 Nissan 370Z machine.
“As a first-time event at Palm Beach International Raceway, I was eager to see the on-track competition of Formula DRIFT,” said Jason Rittenberry, President and CEO, PBIR. “We had a great crowd on Friday and they watched some of the series best drift on our road course. The racing was fierce and we’re looking forward to Saturday’s eliminations. We’re expecting a great event on Saturday.”
Following the single-car practice and qualifying runs, fans were treated to a small sampling of the competition as drivers practiced tandem racing. Drivers used the evening practice session to size-up the competition and to see how their race cars handled under the lights since Saturday’s elimination rounds would run into the evening hours.
Formula DRIFT – Round 3: Invasion continues on Saturday afternoon with one additional practice immediately followed by the Pro/Am drivers competing in the elimination rounds. The Formula DRIFT eliminations take place on Saturday evening and the field of 16 pares down to two racers. At the conclusion of the event, spectators are encouraged to watch the podium and trophy presentation as the winners are announced.
In conjunction with the 2011 Formula DRIFT series, Palm Beach International Raceway serves as host to the Slammed Society Showcase this weekend. Produced by FatLace, the Slammed Society car show, open to all makes and models, is an automotive showcase featuring some of the country’s freshest rides. For more information, visit http://fatlace.com/showcase/
Tickets are available for purchase at Palm Beach International Raceway’s main gate. General admission adult tickets are $21 and reserved grandstand adult tickets are $30.
Formula DRIFT – Round 3: Invasion
Qualifying drivers – Top 32
- Chris Forsberg
- Darren McNamara
- Justin Pawlak
- Vaughn Gittin Jr.
- Rhys Millen
- Fredric Asabo
- Conrad Grunewald
- Tyler McQuarrie
- Joon Maeng
- Toshiki Yoshioka
- Ken Gushi
- Daijiro Yoshihara
- Otto Graven
- Ryan Tuerck
- Taka Aono
- Samuel Hubiettte
- Ross Petty
- Alex Pfeiffer
- Walker Wilkerson
- Matt Waldin
- Kyle Mohan
- Ryan Kado
- Patrick Cyr
- Charles Ng
- Jeff Jones
- Eric O’Sullivan
- Matt Powers
- Aurimas Bakchis
- John Russakoff
- Luke Lonberger
- Mike Feiock
- Michael Essa
Gate tickets available at PBIR Gate 2
- One-day general admission adult ticket - $21
- One-day reserved adult ticket - $30
Parking
Parking for Formula DRIFT is free.
About Formula DRIFT
Entering its eighth season, Formula DRIFT is recognized as North American's professional drifting championship series. As the first official series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life and establishes itself as the worldwide leader for the Sport. This high-skilled, high-powered motor sport where drivers intentionally maneuver their cars into well executed, controlled sideways slides at high speeds through a marked course, has professional drivers & teams competing in seven championship competitions in 2011.
Judged on execution and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time, Drifting is a guaranteed crowd pleaser, and is often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross. For more information, visit www.formlad.com
About Palm Beach International Raceway
Palm Beach International Raceway is a state-of-the-art venue and one of the most popular raceways in the country for racers and spectators alike. As a leader in its operating form and function, PBIR seeks to provide its drivers with a higher level of challenge, excellence and opportunity. PBIR boasts three completely refurbished, exceptionally designed tracks, including a high-performance road course, an all-concrete drag strip and a 7/10’s mile karting track and new karting center. The technologically superior two-mile road course features some of the fastest and most challenging corners and straight-aways offered by any track in North America. PBIR is sanctioned by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and is pending certification by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body for many major racing events. For more information on PBIR, please visit www.RacePBIR.com.
PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
FORMULA D – ROUND 3: INVASION
Saturday, June 4, 2011
2:00 pm Gates Open
2:00 pm Formula Drift Open Practice – Top 32
3:00 pm Pro/Am: Main Competition – Round of 16 to Finals
4:00 pm Formula Drift Main Competition – Round of 32
6:00 pm Pro/Am Trophy Ceremony
6:00 pm "Half Time" Break
7:30 pm National Anthem / Opening Ceremonies
8:00 pm Formula Drift Main Competition – Round of 16 to Finals
10:00 pm Formula Drift Trophy Ceremony & Closing
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Phone: 561.622.1400