Formula D


Formula DRIFT is an American premier professional drifting series, that was co-founded by Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage in 2003 as a sister company to Slipstream Global Marketing, which had the same partnership that introduced D1 Grand Prix to the United States. Formula D does not include empathized speed, But the new entity would solely own, operate and launch the first official drifting series in North America. Formula DRIFT is not associated with the FIA series of formula racing championships.
Formula DRIFT has 84 licensed drivers competing in PRO and PROSPEC as of June 2024. The series consists of an eight-round championship played out at race tracks across North America. Formula DRIFT is judged on line, angle, and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time.

North America

Drivers in North America can compete in regionally sanctioned PRO/AM organizations for licensing.
  • USDrift – Mid-Atlantic
  • East10Drift – Southeast
  • Evergreen Drift – Pacific Northwest
  • Colorado Drift – Colorado
  • ND Drift – Minnesota
  • Southwest Drift – Las Vegas
  • Spec-D Drift series – Bincent Shreklund
  • Hot Pit Autofest – California
  • Full Lock Drift – Oklahoma
  • US Drift Circuit – Florida
  • Great Lakes – Pennsylvania
Winners and high finishers of these feeders series are then able to enter the Formula DRIFT PROSPEC series, a secondary national tour where drivers compete to move up to the main series.

Tracks

Current tracks

Since 2008, Formula DRIFT has steadily expanded its international footprint, adding demonstration events and sister series in various countries around the world.
Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT, emphasized the significance of this expansion, stating: "Taking the Formula DRIFT brand internationally is a huge milestone. Our priority is to continue to build the Series here while growing the sport of drifting as a whole." In pursuit of this vision, Formula DRIFT exercises great care in selecting its international event partners. The organization thoroughly evaluates the boundaries and operational scopes of its international affiliates—such as Drift Australia, MSC, and Pro Drift—before establishing formal collaborations.
This deliberate and strategic approach has allowed Formula DRIFT to solidify its position as a global motorsports brand, while ensuring that the growth of drifting remains disciplined, sustainable, and aligned with professional standards across all markets."

Sister series

Formula DRIFT Asia was officially established in 2008 with the launch of its inaugural event, Formula DRIFT Singapore, marking the series' first full-scale international competition in Asia. Held at the Changi Air Show Grounds, the event was a historic milestone for both the organization and the sport—achieving a sold-out status even before the gates opened, a testament to the growing popularity of drifting in the region.
Following the success of the Singapore debut, Formula DRIFT Asia evolved into a standalone championship series, becoming the first pan-Asian professional drifting championship. Designed to foster regional talent and expand the sport's reach across Asia, the series gained momentum quickly. In 2009 and 2010, the championship expanded its presence with competitive rounds hosted in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia—countries with burgeoning motorsports communities and strong fan engagement.
For the 2011/2012 season, the championship continued its expansion by adding a new stop in Indonesia, further solidifying its status as a premier drifting competition in the Asia-Pacific region. Formula DRIFT Asia not only elevated the professional standards of the sport across Asia but also served as a crucial platform for bridging Eastern and Western drifting cultures, fostering international collaboration, and nurturing the next generation of professional drivers.
The first Formula DRIFT Asia Champion was Tengku Djan.

Exhibition events

Formula DRIFT has continued to refine its rulebook and technical regulations year to year in terms of car and competition regulations.

Car eligibility

Cars and their builds are constantly under review by the Formula DRIFT staff. The rule book is revised every year to promote fair and exciting drifting. Some cars and practices are written out of the rule book in order to keep a realistic and level playing field. During the 2004 season, the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe was permitted to compete; subsequently it was ineligible in Formula DRIFT.
Although Formula DRIFT does not permit front-wheel drive cars, it does allow all-wheel drive cars to be converted to rear wheel drive, such as the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi EVO. In the United States, the Scion tC is sold only in the FWD layout, but because it shares the same chassis as the AWD Toyota Avensis, it can be converted to a competition-ready RWD layout. This change sparked great debate between drifters in the series who felt that an original FWD vehicle should not be eligible due to the front cross member changes needed.
A trademark of Formula DRIFT competition cars is the very open engine rulebook. Formula DRIFT allows engines from other manufacturers to be swapped into competition cars. "Engine, transmission, ECU and/or final drive modifications are free, but only the rear wheels may propel the vehicle". This results in a huge variety of engine/chassis combinations as well as huge power outputs commonly in excess of 850+ whp. Vehicles wishing to compete for the Manufacturers Championship must use an engine from the same manufacturer as the chassis. Engine swaps remain very common with older models but can be seen with new builds as well. Naturally aspirated or supercharged first, second, third, fourth, and fifth generation Chevrolet small block V8 engines are often used because of their availability and lower operating costs, especially with their ability to produce torque, lower RPM's, parts availability, and ease of rebuilding.
Suspension modification is widely open to development as long as stock pickup locations are utilized. Suspension tuning is a vital part of any successful Formula DRIFT team.
To keep cars in check Formula DRIFT institutes a maximum tire size based on the vehicles total weight.
Formula DRIFT cars are given fixed numbers for their cars and are not necessarily based on rankings.

Scoring and judging

Formula DRIFT uses its own scoring system that may differ from other drifting organizations. Often scoring systems for qualifying, tandem battles, and penalties are different.
Qualifying – Formula DRIFT competitors are allowed two non-consecutive judged solo runs to post their highest possible score in order to compete. The top 32 drivers with the highest qualifying scores are entered in a competition bracket pairing the highest scoring drivers against the lowest scoring drivers. 1st v. 32nd, 2nd v. 31st, 3rd v. 30th, etc. The drivers are judged on line, speed, angle, and overall impact. The judges can also make additional request at the drivers meeting for actions or techniques that will weigh in their decision making. Formula DRIFT drivers are scored on a points-deduction system where every driver will start their judged run with a perfect score of 100 pts. For every mistake, points will be deducted. These points will vary between.25 point to the most severe mistakes 1.75.
Competition – The top 32 qualifying drivers are paired up in an elimination bracket pairing the highest scoring drivers against the lowest scoring drivers. The biggest difference from qualifying is that now drivers face off head to head on the track in a tandem battle. The two cars run together side by side, each driver trying to show greater skill than the other. The highest qualifying driver leads on the first run, then on the second run the lower qualifying driver leads. Drivers are judged on the same basic criteria as qualifying but an emphasis is put on the interaction between the two drivers competing head to head. The lead driver will set the pace and driving line often trying to produce a gap between themselves and the following driver. The following driver will try to stay on top of the lead driver as close as possible without making contact with their vehicle. The goal is to mimic or "shadow" the lead drivers run while staying on their door throughout the run. It is possible for either driver to win either run. Often one driver will have a points advantage going into the second run. Driver mistakes can also cause them to be given an automatic zero. The three-judge panel then will look at both runs and determine one of three outcomes; Driver 1 advances, Driver 2 advances, or if a winner can not be determined a "One More Time" will be called. In the event of a "One More Time" the drivers will then complete a new pair of runs. The drivers will face off again until a winner can be determined. The winner advance to the next bracket.
Competition Time Out – Drivers have a one-time option to utilize a "Competition Time Out" in order to attempt to fix their vehicle. In the event that a driver or car can not come to the start line in time for their tandem run the other driver will be allowed to run a solo lap to advance.
Overtaking – Follow cars are permitted to overtake or pass in certain instances. passes may only happen at inside clips, and can only be done so if the lead car is off line enough to allow the follow car to pass between them and the clip. If a successful pass is made the lead car run is deemed a zero.
The current judges are Robbie Nishida, Brian Eggert, Chris Uhl. Kevin Wells is the Competition Director for the series.