What is Formula Drift?
The leading professional drifting championship in North America, where cars are judged on style, angle and speed rather than lap times.
Formula Drift, often shortened to FD, is the premier professional drifting series in North America, founded in 2004. It brought competitive drifting from its Japanese street and grassroots origins into a structured, judged professional championship.
Rather than racing for the fastest lap, drivers are scored on the quality of their slides. Judges evaluate factors such as the angle of the car, the line taken, speed and overall style and commitment. Qualifying involves solo runs, while the main event uses head-to-head tandem battles where two cars drift in close proximity.
Formula Drift has driven huge growth in drift culture and high-horsepower competition builds, with cars often producing well over 1,000 horsepower. It has helped turn drifting into a mainstream motorsport spectacle and a proving ground for both drivers and tuners.
