Formula Drift Manufacturer’s Championship at Road Atlanta

Formula Drift has been around for more than a decade, but for most of that time, the sport of drifting has been pretty marginalized, even as other forms of racing have gained legitimacy and recognition. Finally, though, Formula Drift has started to earn the attention and respect of car manufacturers and others in the industry, and introduced the Formula Drift Manufacturer’s Championship. Jarod DeAnda, the announcer for Formula Drift, chatted with Autobytel when we went down to Road Atlanta to check out this new event. Road Atlanta is where Formula Drift got its start, so the occasion was particularly significant to the Formula Drift team. A drifter becomes eligible to compete for this title by choosing to race in a car that has a matching chassis and motor. In other words, drivers of so-called “Frankenstein cars” are not eligible for this particular competition, although the Formula Drift team is quick to note that the drivers of such modified cars are still valued competitors. The goals of the new Formula Drift Manufacturer’s Championship are to show the automakers that the sport is growing, to develop new relationships with the manufacturers, and to inspire the drivers to take on new challenges.