Formula DRIFT prepares to kick-off the 2009 professional championship season with a host of events leading up to the main competition weekend on April 10-11. Round 1: Streets of Long Beach also marks the debut of new cars and drivers and the return of top drifters from around the world.

“The 2009 Formula DRIFT season will be as entertaining and exciting as ever,” says Ryan Sage, vice-president of marketing and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “In addition to the main event on the 10-11th we have also lined up some great local, fan-friendly events in Long Beach to add to the overall weekend.”

To kick-off the season on Thursday April 9, Formula DRIFT will converge on Downtown Long Beach at 5 PM. The entire roster of drivers and cars will parade from the track into the heart of downtown. The competition vehicles will be on display on Pine and Broadway and fans will have a chance to meet and greet with the drivers. As an added bonus, 2-time Formula DRIFT champion Samuel Hubinette, will be premiering his new DVD “Drift Ya Later,” at Smooth’s Sports Grille. The festivities are free and will go from continue from 5 PM to 9 PM.

After the first day of Formula DRIFT action on Friday, April 10, Hooters on Pine Ave. in Downtown Long Beach will be hosting a reception for the Formula DRIFT teams. Fans are welcome to join in on the festivities with the drivers. The action takes place from 7 PM to 9 PM.

Round 1: Streets of Long Beach tickets are available via the Formula DRIFT website at www.formuladrift.com. Ticket prices start at $28 online for a Saturday reserved seat. Friday, April 10th has been opened to the public as a “Preview Day,” and will feature practice and qualifying. Fans can buy access to Friday’s event for just $5 more. Grandstands 16 and 18 have been expanded this season to give more fans the best view of the action. Taking place during the opening ceremonies on Saturday, April 11, West Coast Customs will be presenting reigning Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust with a custom-built GTO. The presentation will be aired on an upcoming episode of “Street Customs” on the TLC channel. West Coast Customs owner Ryan Friedlinghaus will be handing the keys to Foust exclusively at this event.

New cars and drivers will make their debut at the season opener. The addition of the Top 32 competition format at this event will give the fans the most excitement and action. The drivers will test their limits on the only actual course that takes place on real city streets.

Round 1: Streets of Long Beach Entry List Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11

more here

Related posts:

1. Tanner Foust Slides the Rockstar Energy Scion tC to Victory at Round 4 of the Formula DRIFT Series in Las Vegas Scion-supported Formula DRIFT driver Tanner Foust, who debuted the Papadakis...
2. Tanner Foust’s V8 RWD Scion tC Formula Drift car unveiled While all eyes were on Scion unveiling its take on...
3. Team RS-R Scion Drift Diary: El Toro Airbase Shakedown With Formula D nearing its season-ending round, we reminisce...
4. Rockstar/AEM’s NASCAR V8-powered Scion tC drift car gets unboxed Here are two things that don’t come to mind when...
5. Autoblog goes drifting with Tanner Foust in NASCAR-powered Scion tC! by Jonny Lieberman (RSS feed) on Oct 12th 2009 at...