MEDIA
RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOVEMBER 27 2006
DRIFT
AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES 2007 TOYO DRIFT AUSTRALIA SERIES CALENDAR
| |
|
Beau Yates; 2006 Toyo Drift Australia Series Champion and the
first Australian Drift Champion.
Image available for media use. Click for
high-res, please credit Nathan Wong. |
Fresh from
a successful 2006 season in which the first Australian Drift
Champion was crowned, Drift Australia is pleased to announce the schedule
for the 2007 Toyo Drift Australia Series.
The series’
third season will kick off with a milestone event - the first visit
by Australia’s top line drift competition to West Australia’s
Barbagallo Raceway, on February 24-25.
After visits to South
Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, the Championship will end
at Oran Park Raceway, as it did in 2006, with the September 22-23 season
finale.
“We’re
really excited about the 2007 Toyo Drift Australia Series,” says
Drift Australia’s Wayne Boatwright. “The last two years
have been a massive growth period for drifting in Australia. The level
of driving talent, professionalism and corporate support has increased
out of sight.
“We feel this
calendar, in particular our first trip to West Australia, will help
continue this growth. Drifting has an enormous following in Western
Australia and Barbagallo Raceway is a terrific venue for competitors
and fans.
“It’s
sure to be a great way to start the season.”
Having come on board
with Drift Australia in 2006, Toyo Tyres will continue their support
of the series, remaining in the role of the series’ naming rights
sponsor.
“Drifting is
an exciting, high-growth sport and we are committed to helping it develop
even further,” said Toyo’s Clinton Joyce.
“We are very
happy to be able to continue our partnership with Toyo Tyres,”
said Boatwright. “Toyo have been a long-time supporter of drifting
both in Australia and internationally.”
As part of the continuing
evolution of drifting in Australia, Drift Australia will introduce a
franchise-style licencing system for entrants participating in the 2007
Toyo Drift Australia Series season and beyond.
The system will enable
teams, drivers or companies to purchase a licence, and control one of
32 guaranteed positions in the series.
“The new Drift
Australia Licence system creates a solid foundation for teams to build
upon,” Boatwright explains. “The primary purpose is to create
more investment and sponsorship support, along with even more opportunities
for drivers.
“There are
a number of exciting new developments taking shape for 2007, with new
teams, cars and drivers in the pipeline.
“2007 certainly
looks like it will be the best and most competitive Toyo Drift Australia
Series season yet.”
Further announcements
about the 2007 Toyo Drift Australia Series will follow in the coming
months.
For more about the
Toyo Drift Australia Series, head to www.driftaustralia.com.au
About the Toyo Drift Australia Series
Formed
in 2005 as part of the massive growth of drifting in Australia, the
Toyo Drift Australia Series is the official Australian Drifting Championship.
In 2007, the Toyo
Drift Australia Series will feature Australia’s top drifters battling
it out side-by-side and sideways in a five-round Championship across
four states.
Originating in Japan,
drifting is a form of motorsport where drivers are rewarded for car
control and harnessing the art of carrying their car sideways through
a corner.
Since it first arrived
in Australia around the turn of the century, drifting has become one
of the fastest growing forms of motorsport in the country, and now has
a strong following of spectator and commercial support.