The familiar scream of wide-open throttles going through turns 9, 10, and 11 of the Long Beach Grand Prix track announced the return of the Formula Drift Championship to the LBC and the start of the season and the series. The threat of rain did not stop Formula D and its more than 50 drivers from hard-charging on the streets of Long Beach. Held the weekend before the Long Beach Grand Prix, the Formula D competitor list has grown, with a number of new competitors from around the world joining the fray.

INTERNATIONAL CONTINGENT

There was big news on the international front, as several drivers from overseas joined the series. Otto Graven from South Africa made his debut behind the wheel of the Monster Mob wide-body 350Z, while Lithuanian Odi Bakchis piloted the Forged Racing 240SX. Canadian Alex Lee rocked a JDM-style drift car, a Toyota Chaser. The biggest news came from the Scion Racing camp. Not long ago, a press release announced that Tanner Foust would not return this year behind the wheel of the new 2011 Scion tC drift car. Instead, the 2010 Rookie of the Year Frederic Aasbo of Norway, took the reins of the Papadakis Racing-built Scion Racing/Team Need For Speed/Hankook Tire tC.

RULES AND REQUIREMENTS RE-BALANCE THE FIELD

There were some changes to the rules and judging designed to level the playing field for 2011. The most noteworthy changes pertained to vehicle weight-versus-tire size and rebalancing the value of speed in the scoring system. The new tech requirements forced some teams to add weight to the cars or run narrower tires. For example s 2,5000-pound car running 275mm tires last year would be forced to downsize to 255mm tires or add weight to the chassis to satisfy the weight requirements to continue running a 275mm thread. Also, the revisions to the scoring system (a fast pace is not worth as much as before) had an obvious impact, as the qualifying field experienced quite a shake up from the usual qualifiers.

ABSENTEES REPLACED BY NEW CHALLENGERS

When the top 32 were announced, there were some key drivers that would not be competing. Sam Hubinette was unable to compete due to a blown engine, while Tony Bakohiapa was unable to finish his new car in time for the competition. Tanner Foust is focusing on RallyCross and his TV show, opening the door for Aasbo to pilot the new tC. The biggest news at the end of qualifying was that the 2010 Formula D Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. did not make the cut, effectively inviting the rest of the field to take his place.

THE FIRST ELIMINATIONS OF 2011

Chris Forsberg returned behind the wheel of his new 370Z drift car starting against Michael Essa in his new BMW Z4 roadster. Forsberg advanced past Essa to fac the top qualifier, Conrad Grunewald. The battle between Grunewald and his Camaro and Forsberg's 370Z ended with Forsberg advancing into the Great 8 against Frederic Aasbo. Aasbo barely had any seat time behind the wheel of the new Scion tC, but the 2010 Rookie of the Year's talent combined with the build quality of Stephan Papadakis's crewproved an effective combination. Aasbo knocked out John Rusakoff in the first round after Rusakoff crashed at the sweeper entering turn 10 in the first "One More Time" (OMT) of the eliminations. He then beat Tyler McQuarrie before facing Forsberg. The Norwegian champion's streak ended at the Great 8, as Forsberg advanced to the semi finals.