Tanner Foust Temporarily Retiring From Formula DRIFT

In the most shocking drifting-related news we’ve heard thus far in 2011, Tanner Foust will be taking a temporary retirement from the world of American drifting, announcing today that Formula DRIFT will not be on his schedule of events to attend this year. This is after hearing rumors that the new Papadakis Racing Scion tC would be one of the craziest vehicles we’ll ever see in the Formula DRIFT series.

So with Tanner Foust leaving the driver seat, who will be filling his role? None other than 2010 Formula DRIFT’s Rookie of the Year, Fredric Aasbo. Aasbo, known for aggressively piloting a Toyota Supra, will be a great fit behind the wheel of a RWD Scion tC. Stephan Papadakis Racing will also be joining forces with Team Need for Speed with the newly built Scion tC.

“No offense to Papadakis, the team, the fans or the competitors, but the thing that I will miss the most about not drifting this year is that crazy NASCAR TRD V8-powered Rockstar Scion tC,” says Foust. “It’s been an amazing two years behind the wheel of the Rockstar Scion tC. Best of luck to Aasbo and the new Need For Speed Scion tC.”

We’ll keep our eyes out, as the two-time Formula DRIFT champion will surely be missed in the series. The good news is, we’ll be seeing plenty of Foust as his schedule of events include European Rally events, X-Games and his television responsibilities. Foust’s last competition in the Rockstar / Papadakis Racing Scion tC will be at the Formula DRIFT UAE on February 25th.

Two different press releases available after the break.

PRESS RELEASE

Tanner Foust Announces Temporary Retirement From Formula DRIFT;
Papadakis Racing and Team Need For Speed Announce the Signing of 2010 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year, Fredric Aasbo

Long Beach, Calif. – February 10th, 2011 – Formula DRIFT has announced that 2-time Formula DRIFT champion, Tanner Foust will temporarily step away from the sport of drifting. In conjunction, Papadakis Racing and Team Need For Speed have announced the signing of the 2010 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year, Fredric Aasbo.

“Tanner’s semi-retirement is bittersweet for the Series as he has become one of the most recognizable drivers on the circuit and is one of the most competitive spokesmen for Formula DRIFT,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “As with the growth and progression of the Series we can expect to see opportunities brought to many of the drivers and wish Tanner more success in his career both on and off the track. His departure will leave a spot open for a future star of drifting to rise, which we are excited to see.”

Foust has announced his temporary retirement from drifting due to a demanding 2011 schedule of European Rally events, X-Games and television responsibilities. The 2-time Formula DRIFT champion and Tires.com Triple Crown bonus winner will be competing one last time in the Rockstar / Papadakis Racing Scion tC on February 25, 2010 during the Formula DRIFT UAE Invitational competition.

“I owe a lot to Formula DRIFT and Stephan Papadakis. This sport, Stephan and his team have been, and will remain, an integral part of my motorsports life,” said Tanner Foust, from his home in San Juan Capistrano. “This was a hard choice to make, but with my schedule looking even busier than last year’s I will not be able to fully commit to the 2011 Formula DRIFT season. However, I am looking forward to competing in the Rockstar Scion tC for one last time in Abu Dhabi this month.” With an open seat, team owner, Stephan Papadakis has enlisted the highly touted and talented driver, Fredric Aasbo. In addition, a newly created partnership with Team Need For Speed has solidified the alliance. Aasbo will be competing in the brand new Need for 2011 Scion tC this season with the competition debut during Round 1: Streets of Long Beach on April 8-9, 2011.

“Our new partnership with Need For Speed and having Fredric behind the wheel of the new Need for Speed 2011 Scion tC is very exciting,” stated Stephan Papadakis, team owner of Papadakis Racing. “To be aligned with such a top brand in the gaming world is a dream of ours. The synergy between our programs is a natural fit. We build crazy cars for competition and they have the technology for the world to drive them! It has been a pleasure to work with Tanner for the past 5 years and our team thanks him for his hard work and determination and wish him nothing but the best.”

The 2011 Formula DRIFT season begins on April 8-9, 2011 and will mark the debut of many cars, drivers, and teams. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com

For more information contact:
John Pangilinan
The ID Agency
213.802.0863 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 213.802.0863 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
john@theidagency.com

ABOUT FORMULA DRIFT

Entering its eighth season, Formula DRIFT is recognized as the North American professional drifting championship. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges each driver’s driving ability and vehicle control. Formula DRIFT provides a forum for professional drifters to compete in 7 events nationwide for the coveted Formula DRIFT Championship crown. As the first official series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life and establishes itself as the world-wide leader for the Sport. For a competition schedule and ticket information, visit: www.formuladrift.com.

ABOUT IMG SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Operating in 30 countries, IMG Sports & Entertainment’s diverse businesses include: consulting services; event ownership and management; fashion events and models representation; licensing; golf course design; and client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting, speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motor sports, coaching, Olympic and action sports. IMG Academies are the world’s largest, multi-sport training and educational facilities, delivering world-class training experiences to more than 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult, and professional athletes each year. More information is available at: www.imgworld.com.

ABOUT PAPADAKIS RACING

Team owner Stephan Papadakis is a legend of sport-compact racing who began building his reputation in the 1990s with the first front-wheel-drive, tube-chassis drag car in the U.S. The team earned multiple records and championships in the discipline, turning in elapsed times and trap speeds previously thought unattainable in front-drive drag cars. The team began drifting in 2005, and invited Tanner Foust to join them a year later. Papadakis Racing has shown impressive results in five years of Formula DRIFT competition, earning two championship titles (2007, 2008) and one runner up (2010).

ABOUT TEAM NEED FOR SPEED

Team Need for Speed consists of an all-star roster of drivers renowned for their skill on the track and passion for the automotive lifestyle. With over 100 million units sold, Need for Speed is the best-selling racing game franchise in the world and is known for delivering unparalleled white-knuckle racing, creative customization and street style. The sequel to the critically acclaimed Need for Speed SHIFT returns to the track to deliver the most physical racing experience to date with SHIFT 2 Unleashed available March 29, 2011. SHIFT 2 Unleashed sets the bar for realistic racing and delivers all the excitement and intensity of race day in a groundbreaking true-to-life experience. For more information about Team NFS, visit www.TeamNeedforSpeed.com.

PRESS RELEASE FROM SCION RACING

SCION RACING SHIFTS ITS GEARS FOR THE 2011 FORMULA DRIFT SERIES
New Team. New Driver. New tC.

TORRANCE, Calif., February 10, 2011 – Scion Racing announced today that it will debut its new drift team at Round 1 of the 2011 Formula DRIFT series.

The new team begins with the return of team owner and veteran crew chief Stephan Papadakis of Papadakis Racing. Papadakis will join forces with Team Need for Speed in the all-new 2011 Scion tC.
The Team Need for Speed Scion tC will be piloted by Formula DRIFT’s 2010 Rookie of the Year,
Fredric Aasbo.

“I can’t begin to describe how excited the Scion Racing team is to welcome Fredric Aasbo and Team Need for Speed to the Scion family,” says Steve Hatanaka, Scion auto shows and events manager. “Together, the new team, new driver and the new tC will be an extremely competitive trio that will yield some excellent results this season.”

Aasbo joins Scion Racing as a two-time Nordic Drifting Series champion and 2010 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year. Aasbo will step out of a 1998 Toyota Supra and into the cockpit of the all-new 2011 Team Need for Speed Scion tC. “I’m truly honored and excited to get behind the wheel of the Team Need for Speed Scion tC,” says Aasbo. “It’s not going to be easy to follow in the footsteps of my idol Tanner Foust, but I know that the combination of the new tC and my thirst for victory, will help get the team on top of the podium.”

Tanner Foust, former Scion Racing drifter, will not be competing in the 2011 Formula DRIFT series due to transitions in his career. “No offense to Papadakis, the team, the fans or the competitors, but the thing that I will miss the most about not drifting this year is that crazy NASCAR TRD V8-powered Rockstar Scion tC,” says Foust. “It’s been an amazing two years behind the wheel of the
Rockstar Scion tC. Best of luck to Aasbo and the new Need For Speed Scion tC.”

“There aren’t many people that can match the driving talent and personality of Tanner Foust,” says Hatanaka. “Scion Racing thanks him for a phenomenal two years and wishes him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.”

Aasbo and the Team Need for Speed Scion tC, will join the Scion Racing camp with returning veteran drifter Ken Gushi and the Scion Racing/RSR/Hankook Tire Scion tC. “Gushi and Aasbo are young and gifted drifters that have the determination to get the job done,” says Hatanaka. “Scion Racing looks forward to introducing the new team to the enthusiastic Formula DRIFT fans at Round 1.”