TUERCK TAKES SEASON OPENING VICTORY
24 April 2009

Formula DRIFT Round 1: Streets of Long Beach kicks off their 6th championship season to a sell-out crowd. Ryan Tuerck and the Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice (above) took home the victory and leads the 2009 Professional Championship Point Standings.

The Long Beach Grand Prix Street Course hosted the season opening event to a standing room only crowd. The infamous track is the only course that is held on actual city streets making it one of the more unique drifting courses in the world.

The 2009 season included the addition of the veteran driver, Tony Angelo, as a new judge to the series. It also marked the first 2-day event structure of the season and the change of competition formats.

This season will be the first time a 32 car head-to-head format will be utilized in the Pro Championship series creating more head-to-head competition rounds and more action for the fans.

“I think this weekend in Long Beach proved that regardless of the current economic state Formula DRIFT is something that is truly embraced by fans and it showed with a huge attendance on Friday and standing room only on Saturday,” said Ryan Sage, vice president of marketing and co-founder of Formula DRIFT.

“Without the support of the fans, teams, and sponsors Formula DRIFT would not have been able to pull off this amazing event and I personally cannot wait to get on a plane to Atlanta and get back to where Formula DRIFT held its first event.”

The event showcased some of the most exciting drifting to date and the introduction of the Top 32 competition format brought a new element to the event and more action.

The season opening event unveiled a few highly anticipated vehicles including Rhys Millen and the Red Bull / RMR Hyundai Genesis Coupe (above left), Vaughn Gittin Jr. and the 2010 Falken Tire Ford Mustang GT, and returning champion Tanner Foust in the Rockstar Scion Racing tC (above right), who finished in third place after a very intense and close battle with Robbie Nishida in the Hankook Tire / Dynamic Autosport Nissan 350Z in the consolation round.

The finals pitted 2-time Formula DRIFT champion, Samuel Hubinette in the NuFormz Racing / Mopar Dodge Viper (left) against Ryan Tuerck and the Gardella Racing / Mobil 1 Pontiac Solstice.

Tuerck edged out Hubinette with very consistent driving throughout the event taking the first victory of the season.

The 2009 Formula DRIFT season continues on May 8-9 in Braselton, GA at Road Atlanta for Round 2: Proving Ground. Tickets are on-sale now.