Texas Motor Speedway Formula DRIFT Shootout
I am completely excited about the Texas Motor Speedway Drift event this weekend, September 13 & 14. I have always been a sucker for smoking tires and fast cars. I can’t say I grew up around a whole lot of hot rods or race cars. I was a pretty simple little boy that just played with hot wheels and matchbox cars. I would pretend to race either on a oval or road track. Now as I have gotten older, understand more of the fundamentals of racing and can appreciate the sport even more.
Formula DRIFT is looking to make a impact at the Texas Motor Speedway with the Round 6 Showdown. If you haven’t seen or ever heard of drift racing here in Texas, this is the event you need to show up at. Texas Motor Speedway’s pit lane and front stretch will transform into a winding course for eight Formula DRIFT drivers as they race in a non-points competition spectacle. All the drivers will compete in the traditional bracket elimination format, the competition will begin at 6 p.m. CST.
I am looking forward to seeing Vaughn and Justin driving their Ford Mustangs in the twist and turns. Its not to often you see a american build vehicel in a drfting competition, so this will be interesting.
Vaughn Gittin Jr. – 2010 Formula Drift Champion
Justin Pawlak – 4 year Formula Drift Vet still in the hunt for the championship
Also be on the look out for, some cool vehicles including Mustang Shelby GT500, Focus ST, Fiesta ST, customized Fusion.
“Ford’s deeper involvement with Formula DRIFT this year should come as no surprise to those who follow the series,” says Mickey Matus, Ford Racing marketing communication manager. “We became involved in Formula DRIFT in 2005, using the series to help develop a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 crate engine for the Ford Racing Performance Parts program. Eight years later, drifting is an integral part of Ford’s growing outreach to young performance enthusiasts who love cars but may not be interested in traditional forms of racing.”
“We have the ‘dream team’ of Mustang drifters,” Matus adds. “Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Justin Pawlak are fierce and talented competitors on top-notch teams. Vaughn won the 2010 Formula DRIFT championship in his Ford Mustang, and Justin earned a podium finish in New Jersey this season. We look forward to an intense weekend of drifting with these stars at Texas Motor Speedway, including Ford’s continued battle for the Manufacturer Cup.”
Who will you be pulling for?
Inside Track Scoop
Friday, September 13, 2013 – Practice / Qualifying
11:00am – 7:00pm – WILL CALL: Open for Vendor/Sponsor/Team – Will Call
11:00am – 7:00pm – Online/Pre-Sale Ticket Pick Up
1:00pm – 8:00pm – Box Office Hours (Walk Up)
11:00am – 1:00pm – LOAD-IN / SETUP Vehicles OK to drive in and drop-off – Venue
11:00am – 10:00pm – Venue Open: Credential Holders ONLY – Main Paddock
11:00am – 11:30am – ProAm: MANDATORY Drivers Meeting – FD HQ
11:30am – 12:00pm – ProAm: Open Practice – Track
12:30am – 2:00pm – ProAm: Qualifying – Track
2:00pm – 10:00pm – GATES OPEN: PUBLIC – VENUE
1:00pm – 1:30pm – FD: MANDATORY Drivers Meeting – FD HQ
1:30pm – 2:00pm – MEDIA: Mandatory Meeting for ALL ‘Hot Area’ Access Credential Holders – FD HQ
2:00pm – 3:00pm – FD: Open Practice – Group 1 – Track
3:00pm – 3:30pm – ProAm: MANDATORY Drivers Meeting; Qualifying Results – FD HQ
3:15pm – 4:15pm – FD: Open Practice – Group 2 – Track
4:00pm – DRIFTSTREAM: Live Broadcast (www.formulad.com/live)
4:30pm – 7:30pm – FD: Qualifying – All Drivers, Knock Out Format – Track
7:45pm – 8:45pm – FD: Autograph Signing – TBA
9:00pm – 9:30pm – FD: Mandatory – All Drivers Meeting; Qualifying Results – FD HQ
9:30pm – 10:30pm – FD: Open Practice – Top 32 – Track
10:30pm – 8:00am – Clear Grid (Noise Ordinance) – Venue/Track
Saturday, September 14, 2013 – Main Event
11:00am – 7:00pm – WILL CALL
11:00am – 7:00pm – Online/Pre-Sale Ticket Pick Up
1:00pm – 8:00pm – Box Office Hours (Walk Up)
11:00am – 1:00pm – LOAD-IN / SETUP Vehicles NOT OK to drive in & drop-off unless pre-arranged w/ FD Official – Venue
11:00am – 10:00pm – Venue Open: Credential Holders ONLY – Main Paddock
12:00pm – 12:45pm – ProAm: Practice – Track
1:00pm – 1:30pm – FD: MANDATORY Drivers Meeting – FD HQ
1:30pm – 2:00pm – MEDIA: Mandatory Meeting for ALL ‘Hot Area’ Access Credential Holders – FD HQ
2:00pm – 11:00pm – GATES OPEN: PUBLIC – VENUE
2:00pm – 3:30pm – ProAm: Top 16 Competition – Track
4:00pm – 5:00pm – FD: Open Practice – Top 32 – Track
5:00pm – DRIFTSTREAM: Live Broadcast (www.formulad.com/live)
5:00pm – 7:00pm – FD: MAIN COMPETITION – Round of 32 – Track
7:00pm – 8:30pm – “Half Time Break” – Main Paddock
8:30pm – 8:45pm – National Anthem / Opening Ceremonies – Track
9:00pm – 11:00pm – FD: MAIN COMPETITION – Round of 16 to Finals – Track
11:00pm – 11:30pm – FD: Trophy Ceremony & Closing – Main Paddock