Event News - �ֲ��ý is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999

Canon Becomes Formula DRIFT’s Official Imaging Partner for 2026 Season

2026-04-09T16:59:33+00:00

Canon U.S.A. has officially joined the Formula DRIFT paddock as the series’ new Official Imaging Partner through a two-year agreement beginning with the 2026 season. The partnership will debut at the Streets of Long Beach on April 10-11 and will bring Canon’s latest imaging technology directly into Formula DRIFT livestreams, media operations, and fan experiences throughout the year.

As part of the deal, Formula DRIFT will use Canon’s CR-X300 Outdoor 4K PTZ cameras and RC-IP100 PTZ controllers to capture new trackside angles during livestream broadcasts. The upgraded setup is designed to give viewers more immersive coverage of practice sessions, qualifying, and competition heats. Canon will also support on-site media with a photo printing station featuring the imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 printer, allowing photographers to print and share images throughout each event weekend. Well-known automotive photographer Larry Chen and his team are expected to take advantage of the new setup during the season.

Beyond broadcast and media support, Canon will also have a fan-facing presence at select events including Long Beach, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, and Evergreen Speedway. Fans attending those rounds will have the opportunity to explore Canon’s latest imaging products and technology in person. The new partnership highlights Formula DRIFT’s continued focus on expanding its content quality and fan engagement while giving Canon a major platform to showcase its imaging ecosystem in one of motorsport’s most visually intense environments.

Formula DRIFT Expands Coverage With New Exclusive Broadcast Deal

2026-03-31T15:56:05+00:00

Formula DRIFT is taking a major step forward for the 2026 season with a new multi-year broadcast partnership with RACER. The deal will make all live Formula DRIFT PRO and PROSPEC competition coverage available exclusively through RACER platforms and Formula DRIFT channels. Fans will be able to watch qualifying, seeding, and early-round battles for free through the RACER+ app and RACER’s FAST channel, which is available across devices like Roku, Samsung, and Amazon.

One of the biggest additions is a brand-new live pre-race show called RACER GridWalk, which will feature behind-the-scenes driver interviews directly from the Hot Pit before Top 32 competition begins. Formula DRIFT says the show will give fans a closer look at the action before the battles start, while the PRO Championship Top 16 heats will now air for free exclusively on RACER Network and the RACER+ app.

According to Formula DRIFT President Ryan Sage, the partnership is designed to bring more exposure, bigger audiences, and stronger support for the sport. The agreement also includes expanded PROSPEC coverage, exclusive content, and new financial incentives for drivers. The 2026 Formula DRIFT season officially begins April 10-11 in Long Beach on the famous Streets of Long Beach course.

Lamborghini Temerario GT3 Makes Strong Start at Sebring

2026-03-24T03:12:48+00:00

Italian supercar brand Lamborghini has officially put its newest race car to the test, with the Lamborghini Temerario GT3 making its debut at the legendary 12 Hours of Sebring. Marking a new chapter for the brand’s motorsports program, the Temerario GT3 replaces the Huracán as Lamborghini’s GT3 contender and was developed entirely in-house, showing just how far the company has come in racing over the years.

While based on the road-going Lamborghini Temerario, the GT3 version swaps out the hybrid system in favor of a race-ready twin-turbo V8 setup designed to meet GT3 regulations. The focus here isn’t just outright performance, but also durability and real-world testing, as Lamborghini continues to use racing as a way to refine materials and engineering for its production cars.

The debut didn’t result in a podium finish, but that wasn’t the goal. Simply completing the race with minimal issues marked a solid first outing for a brand-new platform. More importantly, the Temerario GT3 reinforces Lamborghini’s commitment to motorsports, using GT3 racing as a way to showcase its supercars in a form fans can instantly recognize,both on the track and on the street.

Formula DRIFT 2026 Adds Three New Locations, Leaves Englishtown

2025-11-04T20:54:21+00:00

Formula DRIFT has set the stage for another busy year, announcing a 2026 Competition Schedule that brings three new venues into the circuit. After a 2025 season that broke attendance and engagement records, crowned a five-time PRO Champion, and watched the youngest event winner in series history, the organization isn’t slowing down. Instead, it’s reshaping the competitive landscape with stops in Las Vegas, Boston-adjacent Stafford Springs, and Indianapolis.

The new calendar includes eight rounds for the PRO Championship, with Link ECU PROSPEC joining at select stops. Familiar tracks like Long Beach, Road Atlanta, Orlando, and Evergreen remain, while Englishtown slides off the schedule. In its place, Stafford Motor Speedway steps up as the anchor for the Northeast audience. According to President Ryan Sage, the changes reflect both necessity and opportunity.

“After the most successful season in our history, we’re embarking on our most ambitious schedule with three new venues,” Sage said. “We’ve come to some hard decisions but we’re confident this will strengthen the series as we strive to develop and promote the best drifting competition in the world. We proved last month with our new Long Beach venue for the PRO Championship Final, developing new venues can allow us to do something really special. And it’s with this in mind that we’re approaching Las Vegas and Indianapolis, in particular, where we have the opportunity to create venues that will highlight the sport and provide superb facilities for the fans.”

Stafford’s inclusion stems from timing issues during Englishtown’s acquisition process. With no available commitment, the search had to move on. Sage laid out the reasoning:

“As everybody knows, the arena at Englishtown Raceway was built for Formula DRIFT and it was always our intention to remain at the track. However, the facility is going through an acquisition process and we were unable to secure a commitment to our 2026 event date,” Sage explained. “With teams needing to budget for the 2026 season and our deadline to secure an alternative long-passed due, we knew a difficult decision had to be made. So, our major North-East event will be relocated to Stafford Speedway. We made the decision with sadness and not fully aware of the fate of Englishtown Raceway. But because we were unable to contract a date with E-Town, we were left with no choice but to ensure we could secure an East Coast event. And with Stafford Speedway, we have full confidence in the venue and staff to provide everything the teams, drivers and fans require for a killer event. Stafford already has the infrastructure to host Cleetus McFarland events and we’re happy to continue supporting a pillar of the US racing community, which relies on the existence of these regional tracks.”

From there, teams head to Indianapolis Raceway Park. The facility’s mix of motorsports history and robust seating makes it an attractive Midwest destination. Sage added:

“We’re really excited to bring the series to the home of North American motorsports. The City of Indianapolis and the surrounding area supports a strong Mid-West racing community and we can’t wait for them to see world-class drifting in their town.”

Later in the season, Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Bullring returns to the lineup. Unlike the early-2010s parking lot setups, this time the facility gets long-term investment through a three-year deal. Paving upgrades and infrastructure improvements are part of the plan, reinforcing Formula DRIFT’s trend of helping modernize venues.

“Las Vegas has huge potential for Formula DRIFT and we’re excited to return,” Sage said. “We’re coming back under very different circumstances than before, and will invest in the infrastructure to ensure teams and fans can fully experience an FD event as it should be. Vegas has always been on our radar but up until now, there have been challenges in making our return. Conversations started when we were exploring options to replace Irwindale have led to an exciting opportunity for the PROSPEC Final and the development of the entire facility.”

Outside the new additions, the series keeps Long Beach at both ends of the calendar, opening the season on the Streets course and closing it on the Long Beach Shoreline Showdown street layout. Formula DRIFT has indicated the track may evolve year-to-year, similar to how Irwindale inched forward over time.

“Change can bring challenges, but the entire Formula DRIFT team is relishing the opportunity to collaborate with the new tracks, welcome new fans and continue to develop the best drift series in the world,” Sage concluded. “It’s always a major decision to move venues and we only do it when we feel confident that we’re improving the overall experience of the series. And we’re excited about what the 2026 season will bring.”

For now, mark April 10-11 as the return to Long Beach. Tickets, livestream links, and driver info remain at formulad.com.

SEMA 2025 Preview: Toyo Tires Treadpass Returns

2025-10-28T15:30:54+00:00

The SEMA Show returns to Las Vegas from November 4-7, and with it comes one of the most recognizable paths at the Las Vegas Convention Center: Toyo Tires Treadpass. For 12 years, the walkway between the Central and South Halls has become a destination for anyone chasing what’s next in car culture, or for anyone looking for a one-stop look at some of SEMA's biggest and baddest. It’s a special place where an idea gets put on the ground, wrapped in rubber, and debuted for the world to see.

This year, Toyo Tires is debuting 28 builds within that stretch - a curated mix that speaks to the wide spectrum of enthusiast niches under one banner. A full digital companion will launch on the Toyo Tires website, giving showgoers and fans a deeper look at each vehicle, from wheel and tire specs all the way up to the custom details that define them.

A new addition for 2025 brings the miniature world to full scale. Time Capsule - known for diecast models with a focus on authenticity and the stories behind the metal - is creating a life-size “toy box” installation. Inside: a Bisimoto-built 1982 Porsche twin-turbo Kremer K3 935, rolling on Brixton Forged TR17 Circuit+ wheels and Toyo Proxes RTM tires. It’s a nod to the idea that even a dream car starts as something you hold in your hands long before you ever have the keys.

“Treadpass is a celebration of creativity and passion in the automotive world, and we are thrilled for its return this year, marking our 12th anniversary,” said Stan Chen, Toyo Tires USA's Senior Manager of Events, Sponsorships and Motorsports, “We are proud to continue creating a space that showcases amazing builders and delivers a remarkable destination for attendees year after year.”

Collectors will once again be able to track down limited-edition Leen Customs pins, with 10 designs tied to Treadpass builds and a special 11th available during the “Artist’s Meet” with Leen Customs founder Hansel Echeverria on Wednesday, November 5 from 12–1 p.m.

Toyo Tires is also bringing back its partnership with CSR Racing 2 (CSR2) developers NaturalMotion, giving fans the power to vote for their favorite Treadpass build. Whichever one wins will be transformed into a fully playable digital car in the game.

“We are proud to partner yet again with Toyo Tires, one of the most prominent names in the automotive industry, to bring one of the impressive custom-built Treadpass vehicles to our players in CSR2,” said Sam Cooper, Vice President of Games at Zynga. “We were blown away by the response from our fans last year and are excited for racing fans to once more bring their passion to life by voting on their favorite custom car and then taking the winning build into their own hands to race in-game.”

What’s Rolling Into Treadpass?

Every build brings a different personality to the lineup this year. From factory restoration ethos, to radical fabrication and transformations.
Here’s a first look at what attendees will find this November:

1969 Chevrolet Nova - Sean Ramáge, Empire Fabrication

A Nelson Racing Engines supercharged LSX estimates 1,200 horsepower at the core of this Nova, paired with Forgeline GA3 wheels and Toyo Proxes R888R tires. Custom metalwork reshapes the engine bay and cockpit, while the exterior is trimmed and modernized without losing its identity.

1977 Datsun 620 Hakotora - Dylan & Bill Brinkworth

The father-son harmony behind Saisei continues here - a frame-up Hakotora build combining an L33 engine, Redux Racing ITBs, TKX transmission, and a custom cantilever rear suspension. The cab borrows cues from early Skyline design, rolling on deep-set Watanabes wrapped in Proxes R888R.

1988 BMW 528 (E28) - Igor Polishchuk, CAtuned

A supercharged S52 swap gives new breathing room to the E28 platform. BBS RS wheels paired with Toyo Proxes Sport A/S+ set the stance. The look remains clean, but the upgrades underneath the sheet metal tell the real story: custom brakes, suspension, and full interior attention.

1988 Ford Bronco Twin Turbo - Bisimoto Engineering

Bisimoto applies its familiar power-driven approach to a desert-leaning Bronco build. Long travel, beadlocks, Toyo Open Country R/T Pro tires, a fully tuned powerplant, and a FiberWerx Gen-2 Raptor conversion give the vintage Ford a new purpose far outside its original design brief.

1992 Volkswagen Golf GTI - Patience Metal Fabrication

Built around a turbocharged MK4 R32 VR6 capable of four-digit horsepower, this hatch brings its punch to all four wheels through a 4MOTION AWD swap. Proxes R888R tires and wide BBS LM 090 wheels support the aggressive mechanical package, with extensive fabrication from firewall to subframe.

2008 Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 - John Sarkisyan, S Klub

S Klub creates a Murciélago that reads more like a design prototype than a modified supercar. HRE wheels, Toyo Proxes Sport tires, a widebody skin formed in-house, carbon roof scoop, custom frunk layout, and a full interior redesign - each decision changes the way the platform is understood.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser - Chuck Hernandez, Showstoppers USA

The newest Land Cruiser gets an aftermarket makeover built for attention: Aimgain widebody, Boldworld Japan air suspension, and polished Bradley Takumi wheels on Toyo Open Country R/T Pro tires. Bride seating completes the rework from trail truck to tailored showpiece.

Ryan Tuerck Partners with KW Automotive for 2025 Formula Drift and Custom Builds

2025-02-21T11:33:21+00:00

Ryan Tuerck is kicking off the 2025 motorsports season with a major partnership, teaming up with KW Automotive Group and its family of suspension brands for both competition and custom builds.

Tuerck will run ST Suspension XTA plus 3 coilovers on his Rain-X Toyota GR Corolla in the 2025 Formula Drift Championship, starting at the season opener in Long Beach, California, on April 4-5. Beyond competition, he will exclusively use KW Automotive products across his creative builds, marking a full-circle return to one of his earliest partners in professional racing.

“It feels like coming home,” said Tuerck. “KW Suspensions was one of my first sponsors, and I’m excited to work with the entire KW Automotive family again across all my projects.”

The collaboration extends beyond Formula Drift, with Tuerck and KW engineers developing custom suspension setups for several high-profile builds. These include the Mobil 1 heritage Stout project with a Belltech suspension, a 90s rally-inspired Toyota Celica running Reiger Rally Suspension, and the Formula Supra, which will be tested for Time Attack with a specialized KW race setup.

KW Automotive Group, the parent company of KW Suspensions, ST Suspensions, Belltech, and Reiger Suspension, provides high-performance suspension solutions for motorsports and street applications.

“Ryan’s combination of competitive drifting and innovative builds perfectly showcases the versatility of our suspension products,” said Michael Belcher, Director of Sales and Marketing for KW Automotive North America.

With Tuerck’s proven talent and KW’s engineering expertise, this partnership is set to make waves both on and off the track in 2025.

Fredric Aasbo, Ryan Tuerck and Simen Olsen among big names joining Kenda in 2025

2025-02-18T11:29:17+00:00

Kenda Tire is making waves in the drifting world, announcing a three-year contract extension with Formula DRIFT and unveiling a powerhouse driver roster for the 2025 season. After an impressive third-place finish in the 2024 Tire Cup—just a year after joining the series—Kenda is setting its sights even higher.

Leading the charge in 2025 are three-time Formula DRIFT PRO Champion Fredric Aasbo (Norway), Papadakis Racing’s Ryan Tuerck, and title contender Simen Olsen (Norway). They’ll be joined by rising talents Daniel Stuke (USA) and Austin Matta (USA), fresh from the PROSPEC ranks. Returning Kenda stars include Ken Gushi (Japan), Jhonnattan Castro (Dominican Republic), Nick Noback (USA), Jonathan Hurst (USA), and Derek Madison (USA).

All Kenda drivers will compete on the new VEZDA UHP MAX+ tires, primarily in 305/35 ZR18 sizing. This next-gen tire builds on Kenda’s success, delivering premium performance at a value price. Designed for both competition and street use, the MAX+ embodies Kenda’s “Podium2Pavement” philosophy—bridging the gap between professional drifting and everyday driving.

“Kenda’s commitment to Formula DRIFT continues to grow,” said Brandon Stotsenburg, Vice President of Automotive. “We’re excited to push the limits with our drivers and the new MAX+ tire.”

Formula DRIFT President Ryan Sage added, “With Kenda’s expanded involvement and elite driver roster, we expect big things in 2025.”

Event News - �ֲ���ý is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999