April '13 Issue - DIG Magazine

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6 “IT’S LIKE DOING A BIG-ASS BURNOUT, BUT FOR A LONG, EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME THROUGH A SERIES OF TURNS.” Photo by Mike Burroughs drift will become the first series in the 39-year history of the LBGP to be run at night. The fans are more than simply spectators and they play a more significant role in the outcome of the competition than some realize. Judges are not only scrutinizing every turn on the track, but they’re also watching to see how excited the fans get when drivers push clouds of smoke into the air. The intent is to create as much smoke as possible, and drivers set up their cars to do exactly that. “Essentially, in Long Beach the cars are only going about 60 mph through the course, but the rear wheels are going about 120 [mph],” Forsberg says. “The faster you can get the rear tires spinning over ground speed, the more smoke you’re going to generate.” Each Formula Drift driver expresses himself in his own way, whether it’s in the way they drive, modifications made to the car, what they wear or even with Photo by Larry Chen / FormulaD.com Ryan Tuerck (left) and Chris Forsberg (above) will be gunning for the grand prize in a top 16, all-star event during the Long Beach Grand Prix Superdrift Challenge. how they interact with fans on and off the track. “This is self-expression and it’s freedom,” says Formula Drift announcer Jarod DeAnda. The man considered to be the voice of Formula Drift has been with the series since day one. DeAnda has seen the sport evolve and progress over the years. Although the sport is becoming more mainstream and accepted by other motorsport fans, he says that the rebellious and true spirit of Drift culture remains. What you see on the course is a reflection of the drivers’ personalities and of the Drift culture. Many of the drivers have crossed over from BMX, skateboarding or other action sports. That adrenaline-junkie spirit can be seen on the track, where drivers are constantly pushing the boundaries. Forsberg describes the Drift community as a tight-knit. He has seen competitors on the professional circuit help each other out and lend spare parts. He says “it’s all about getting everyone out on track and having a fair competition”. When the engines are turned off, and the smoke clears, Tuerck keeps his adrenaline withdrawals at bay with off-course extracurricular activities. In an online series produced by Network A called “Tuerck’d,” the young driver can be seen snaking through country roads in New Hampshire, drifting through a skate park, or jumping over a flaming pit in one of his custom-built cars. Forsberg occasionally joins in on the fun, and in one episode the guys create a drifting game where they have to graze barrels with their bumpers and parallel park a car while drifting at high speeds. Formula Drift may be considered the stepchild of motorsports, but after 10 years the series has become the fastest-growing motorsport in the world. And on April 19 and 20, Formula Drift drivers will be competing for prizes totaling $25,000. “We’ve gone from something that traditional racing fans did not respect at all, and now we’ve legitimized ourselves a lot more,” Liaw says.
motorsport events happening in long beach, on and off the track: FORMULA DRIFT LONG BEACH GRAND PRIX // Wednesday, April 10 // Drivers will be exhibiting their cars and hanging out with the locals at the following venues: •Pike Restaurant and Bar - 1836 E. 4th St., Long Beach • Legends Sports Bar and Cal Shabu on 2nd Street. // April 12-13 // Formula Drift breaks in the Long Beach Grand Prix track during the Round 1 competition of the Formula Drift series. // Friday, April 12 // 12:00 p.m. Gates Open & Qualifying 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Autograph Signing Session // Saturday, April 13 // 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Formula Drift Main Competition 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Trophy Ceremony & Closing Go to formulad.com for information and tickets. Formula Drift drivers mimic their opponent and try to stay as close as possible to each other during tandem head-to-head battles. Photo by Larry Chen // FormulaD.com. // April 19-21 // The Long Beach Grand Prix hosts a variety of series on both days, from the Indy Car series to the Le Mans series. // Friday, April 19 // 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pro/Celebrity Race Practice 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. American Le Mans Series Qualifying 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Super Drift Challenge // Saturday, April 20 // 2:00 p.m. - 3:10 p.m. IZOD IndyCar Series Qualifying 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. American Le Mans Series Race 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Super Drift Challenge // Sunday, April 21 // 11:50 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. Stadium SUPER Trucks 1:40 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Round #3 of IZOD IndyCar Series 3:55 p.m. - 4:10 p.m. Formula Drift Demonstration Go to gplb.com for a complete schedule and tickets. 77
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April '13 Issue - DIG Magazine

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