Formula Drift Is Coming Back To Irwindale Speedway (Video)

You ever have that awkward moment when you are at a party and you make a really classy smooth exit but then realize you forgot your jacket and have to go back in?

That kind of just happened to Formula Drift.  Let me fill in the details for those who aren’t aware.

Late last year it was announced that Irwindale Speedway AKA “The House of Drift” was legit shutting down for good.

Formula Drift celebrated their history at the track with an incredible last round with plenty of festivities.  They made limited edition farewell shirts and there were even fireworks!

Then in December, Formula Drift announced that Las Vegas Motorspeedway would be replacing Irwindale for the 2018 season finale.

It was sad but things seemed final.  Irwindale Speedway was going away and Formula Drift officially moved on.

Well, it looks like the universe had other plans.  Early this year Irwindale Speedway announced that at the last minute they were saved by an investor and that the track would remain after all.

They also expressed interest in trying to get Formula Drift to come back.  Though at the time the Formula Drift staff was still on a well deserved break so we had to wait and see if they would be willing to shift their schedule around again.

Today we have learned that Formula Drift is in fact returning to Irwindale Speedway under a three year contract that will keep the finale at the House Of Drift through 2021.

Sure, its a little funny and a little awkward but this is still incredibly good news.  There are a lot of fun tracks on Formula Drift’s schedule but there’s just nothing like Irwindale.

For more info, check out the official press release and announcement video below.

Afterwards let us know what you think.  Are you glad Formula Drift is coming back to Irwindale? Or would you rather see it move on to a new track?

Let us know in the comments below or tweet to us @MotorworldHype.

Press Release

FORMULA DRIFT 2018 FINALS RETURN TO
THE HOUSE OF DRIFT

Formula DRIFT – the world’s premier competitive drifting series – is delighted to announce its return to The House of Drift at Irwindale Speedway in Southern California for the Final Round on October 12/13, 2018.

Irwindale Speedway hosted the very first drift event in North America and has become synonymous with the fastest growing motorsport in the world.

Towards the end of 2017, Irwindale Speedway management announced it would be closing and Formula DRIFT actively sought an alternative venue. Its 2018 schedule initially indicated the 2018 Pro and Pro 2 Finals would take place in Las Vegas. However, everybody associated with Formula DRIFT was delighted to learn that Irwindale Speedway is under new management and has signed a three-year deal to keep the series at The House of Drift.

“We are excited to announce our return to Irwindale Speedway, although we never really left!” said Jim Liaw, co-founder and president of Formula DRIFT. “Fans and drivers alike appreciate its importance to the series, its place in the history of drift, and the amazing spectating opportunities its provides.”

With the return of Irwindale Speedway, the 2018 Formula DRIFT calendar is as follows:
Round 1 Long Beach, CA April 6-7
Motegi Super Drift Long Beach, CA April 13-14
Round 2 Orlando, FL April 27-28
Round 3 Atlanta, GA May 11-12
Round 4 Wall, NJ June 1-2
Round 5 Monroe, WA July 20-21
Round 6 St Louis, MO August 10-11
Round 7 Fort Worth, TX September 14-15
Round 8 (Finals) Irwindale, CA October 12-13

THURSDAY NIGHT DRIFT
More good news following the three-year agreement is the return of Thursday Night Drift to Irwindale Speedway. Amateur drivers will be able to test their skills on the Irwindale Speedway oval, giving drifters a regular place to meet and practice.

Each of the monthly Thursday night sessions will start at 4pm with vehicle tech inspections, followed by drift practice from 5-9pm. Thursday Night Drift sessions are open to the public and fans can watch from the grandstands or visit the pits. Admission is only $10* per person and spectators will be able to watch some of the best upcoming drivers. There will also be occasional appearance from professional drift drivers who sometimes use the opportunity to test their vehicles.

Anybody can run their safely prepared drift car for $75* and participants can register on arrival at Irwindale Speedway.

*Prices subject to confirmation.

FORMULA DRIFT PRO-AM SERIES
Negotiations are underway for a new Formula DRIFT Pro-Am series, which will take place at Irwindale Speedway. It will run a limited calendar through 2018 and is designed to encourage more amateur drifters to step up to the professional series. It will give everybody an opportunity to raise their skill level under competitive conditions. More details will follow shortly.

MAXIMUM DRIFTCAST
The Formula DRIFT team will be guests on the Maximum Driftcast podcast at 6pm PST today (Monday, February 26, 2018) to talk about the series return to Irwindale Speedway, the three-year deal, return of Thursday Night Drift and the Formula DRIFT Pro-Am series. You can access the podcast on iTunes or maximumdriftcast.com