Drifting Returns to Infineon Raceway for Formula DRIFT Championship Series, Aug. 10-11

WHEN:
August 10-11.

FORMULA DRIFT CHAMPIONSHIP:

Entering its fourth season, Formula DRIFT Championship is recognized as the North American professional drifting championship series. The first official series in North America, Formula DRIFT features drivers intentionally maneuvering their cars into well-executed, controlled sideways slides at high speeds through a marked course. The Series has more than 60 professional drivers competing in all seven events this year. Judged on execution and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time, Drifting is often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

TRACK:
Racers will compete on a temporary course located above Turn 7 of the Infineon Raceway road course that features a downhill layout with very fast entry speeds into a hairpin turn. This is the fastest and most technical track on the Formula DRIFT circuit.

CATEGORIES:
Formula DRIFT professional and amateur drivers qualify to make it to the top 32 against the Formula DRIFT professional seeded drivers.

2006 CHAMPION:
Samuel "The Crazy" Swede (Mopar/BFG Dodge Charger SRT 8)

POINTS STANDINGS:
Tanner Foust looks to retain his points lead in the Castrol SYNTEC Power Cup Point Standings and maintain his "Top Qualifier" streak (since Round 4 of the 2006 season). Chris Forsberg will work to retain his lead in the Tires.com Triple Crown competition where a $10,000 prize purse is up for grabs.

SCHEDULE:
Friday, Aug. 10: Practice, Qualifying, and media ride-alongs.
Saturday, Aug. 11, noon: Practice, followed by main events.

TELEVISION:
Coverage on ESPN2 this fall.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
With the Castrol SYNTEC Power Cup Points race heating up, Tanner Foust (AEM/Memphis Car Audio Nissan 350Z) will look to retain the points lead. Daijiro Yoshihara (Rockstar/Nitto Tires Nissan Silvia) will look for his second consecutive victory after claiming the win at Evergreen Speedway (Monroe, Wash.) and overtake the points lead. Past Champions Samuel Hubinette (2004, 2006) and Rhys Millen (2005) will battle it out to secure their legacy in the sport. With the fastest track on the Formula DRIFT circuit and cars reaching nearly 100 mph while going sideways, the event at Infineon is sure to be one of the most exciting yet.

LOCAL DRIVERS:

Tyler McQuarrie (Walnut Creek): Drives the Hankook Tires/JIC Porsche. Currently ranked 9th overall. Also an instructor at the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School at Infineon Raceway.

Calvin Wan (San Francisco): Drives the Falken Tires Infiniti G35. He was the first driver in Formula DRIFT history to win an event with an import car. He did this at Infineon Raceway in 2005.

Todd Ho (San Francisco): Drives a Mazda RX-7. Has competed in all four Formula DRIFT events this year.

IN ADDITION

The Tires.com Triple Crown:
The Tires.com Triple Crown follows the Formula DRIFT circuit to three of North America's premier tracks to find the driver who performs the best over all three events. The driver who performs consistently well over all three events will become the 2007 Tires.com Triple Crown Champion. Infineon Raceway is the second stop in the chase for the Tires.com Triple Crown. Other stops include Road Atlanta and Irwindale Speedway in October.

TICKET PRICES (includes pit pass):
Saturday Main Event Pass: Adults: $20 (online); $27 (at the gate); Children (six and under): FREE.

TICKETS/INFORMATION:
Go to www.formuladrift.com.