D1GP Spawning into US Series

[AZhitman]

With the successful collaboration with world renowned organizations in 2006, the D1 Grand Prix is proud to announce even bigger plans for the 2007 season.

Since the D1 Grand Prix Professional Drift’s genesis in 1999 by Daijiro Inada, the founder of Option Magazine, D1 has become world renowned for its bone crunching collisions and edge of your seat excitement. However, 2006 has proven to be the most electrifying D1 Grand Prix season to date with historical occurrences such as Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s memorable victory. Gittin, the first ever American to win a D1 series round in December of 2005, bestowed faith to the American drifters in this sport dominated by the Japanese. The year started off with four awesome point series battles beginning with Irwindale, Sugo, Fuji, and Ebisu, with one of the highlights being Nomuken's emotional win at Sugo since his last win at Ebisu back in 2004. The mighty Kazama had once again stole the lead in the series in the soaking wet conditions at Fuji, and Kumakubo accomplished his first win at his own course at Ebisu. This year was also full of global expansion such as all-star events held in the UK, Malaysia, and New Zealand, spawning a national series in each of those countries. Over 50 races had been scheduled world wide and it has truly been a remarkable season so far.

As exciting and amazing this year has been, D1 assures that things are going to get scorching hot for things to come. Despite the extreme summer heat at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in July, D1 and NHRA had displayed to the people of sin city some of the world’s best drifting exhibition. This All-Star exhibition event pulled in over 12,000 fans who cheered on the contenders until late night in the city that never sleeps.

In August 2006 history was made once again as D1's top drivers Ken Nomura, Rhys Millen and Samuel Hubinette battled with America’s most recognized motor sport league NASCAR super stars Kasey Kahne, Bill Elliot and Robby Gordon. in a first of its kind event, first-of-it’s-kind present to the fans a This venue presented just for the fans, a Drift vs. Grip event, called the MOPAR D1/NASCAR ALL STAR DUEL was held at Irwindale Speedway, the infamous “HOUSE OF DRIFT.” Over 8,000 of NASCAR and D1 fans came together to witness this historic episode. The love for motorsports were mutual at this event, with the best drivers of two completely different motorsports came together just for the fans.

With the prosperous sport of drifting finally becoming globally recognized, the American drifting industry is clearly attempting to step up to raise the bar in 2007. D1 Grand Prix is proud to announce the D1 Grand Prix United States national point series for the 2007 season.

2007 D1 GRAND PRIX USA NATIONAL SERIES

Round 1: Feb 17-18 or Mar 3-4 Irwindale Speedway, CARound 2: April VA or FLRound 3: May NY or NJRound 4: July 14-15 Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NVRound 5: August IN or ILRound 6: Nov 23-25 or Nov 30-Dec 2 Irwindale Speedway, CA

*All schedule and times subject to changes anytime

[~4N~]

We never get anything around here.

[whiterps13]

Awesome. Now they just need to figure a way to ban American cars from entering. Call me a hater, but I hate seeing the 500+ hp Mustangs and GTO beat up on the <200 hp Corollas.

It just doesnt seem right watching Vipers, Mustangs, and GTO's competing in the Japanese sport. I know some of you will hate me for saying it, but I dont give a damn about the corporate sponsors and national attention these cars provide. I dont like it.

But

[PantherRacer]

Well, they could always have different heats.A heat for the >350 power cars, the <350hp cars, and then a heat that's just like how it is now lol.

And I don't think any cars should be banned. They're cars, they're RWD, and they can drift. I mean, what if drifting became popular on american mountain roads? would you be saying you don't want no japanese cars in your drifting just like they don't want none in their nascar? hey! you're like the nega/anti/reverse diehard Nascar fan lol cool!

[koukicody]

Looks like im taking a week vacation for my B-day in Vegas

[adrianfromthecastle]

eff that... the real question is... when is JGTC coming back to california speedway... dont skip out on california this year... pleeeease

[koukicody]

eff that... the real question is... when is JGTC coming back to california speedway... dont skip out on california this year... pleeeease

OoOo I remember that. It was so fun! Except all that walking to get to the infield to watch the drifting

[gabossie]

Awesome. Now they just need to figure a way to ban American cars from entering. Call me a hater, but I hate seeing the 500+ hp Mustangs and GTO beat up on the <200 hp Corollas.

Funny, you sound just like the rednecks that don't want Toyota coming in and kicking *** in NASCAR

[otterman]

We never get anything around here.

[Joe]

Awesome. Now they just need to figure a way to ban American cars from entering. Call me a hater, but I hate seeing the 500+ hp Mustangs and GTO beat up on the <200 hp Corollas.

It just doesnt seem right watching Vipers, Mustangs, and GTO's competing in the Japanese sport. I know some of you will hate me for saying it, but I dont give a damn about the corporate sponsors and national attention these cars provide. I dont like it.

But

ignorance at its finest!

[TheLocust]

Hell yea INDIANA thats only a state away from me

[NoOneBetter]

JGTC and D1GP together again please please....

[maxima278]

Awesome. Now they just need to figure a way to ban American cars from entering. Call me a hater, but I hate seeing the 500+ hp Mustangs and GTO beat up on the <200 hp Corollas.

It just doesnt seem right watching Vipers, Mustangs, and GTO's competing in the Japanese sport. I know some of you will hate me for saying it, but I dont give a damn about the corporate sponsors and national attention these cars provide. I dont like it.

But

that's a mentality I try to fight off all the time! I know it's ignorant, though and I don't want to see drifting subject to any rules like that. At the same time I would hate to see drift cars evolve into rolling billboards like in nascar. But who doesn't love a good viper vs. AE86 match?