--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“DRIFTING†TO MAKE ITS STREET-LEGAL DEBUT
AT APRIL 8-10 TOYOTA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________________
LONG BEACH, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2005) – “Drifting,†the hottest new addition to the world motorsports scene since stadium racing, will be scorching the streets of Long Beach April 8-10 during the 31st Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The Inaugural Long Beach Drifting Challenge, conducted in conjunction with Champ Car and Formula Drift, will be the FOERST time Drifting has ever appeared (legally!) on city streets and the FOERST Drifting demonstration to take place around the entire length of a race circuit.
The sport, which originated in the mountains of Japan, is the art of controlling a car sliding sideways and as close to out-of-control as possible, with drivers judged on style and showmanship, rather than speed.
During a drift, the goal is not to maximize traction, but instead have the car behave as though racing on ice or snow. It’s a total snub to the logic that says cars are designed, engineered and intended NOT to go sideways.
And, the resultant orgy of billowing smoke and screaming tires is attracting millions of racing fans worldwide.
“It’s a huge, historic step for Drifting to be part of such a major motorsports event, and we’re looking forward to putting on a great show,†said internationally known Drifter Alex Pfeiffer. “Those who don’t know about
Drifting are in for a wild new experience!â€
Experienced Drifters prefer rear-wheel-drive cars that are lightweight, balanced and handle well, such as the AE86 Toyota Corolla and Toyota Supra Twin Turbo.
The current race weekend schedule (subject to change) includes half-hour sessions of the Inaugural Long Beach Drifting Challenge over the entire 1.97-mile, 11-turn race circuit on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, they will hit the track prior to the 1 p.m. start of the 31st Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Champ Car race.
“I believe this will be an exciting new addition to our race weekend that will not only be the FOERST-ever full-course Drifting competition, but will also attract a whole new audience to our event,†said Jim Michaelian, President/CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “And, it will also legitimize what some of us have been secretly doing on these downtown Long Beach streets for many years!â€
Tickets for the 31st Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, which will run April 8-10, 2005, are on sale now. The Champ Car World Series will again be the headline racing event. Tickets can be ordered via credit card by using the toll-free ticket hotline, (888) 82-SPEED. Tickets can also be purchased on-line at longbeachgp.com, in person at the Grand Prix ticket office (3000 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, Calif. 90806).
Ticket prices range from $32 for a Friday/Saturday-only general admission ticket to $114 for a three-day ticket, which includes Saturday and Sunday reserved seating on upper levels of the grandstands. Limited pre-paid parking packages are available and can be purchased when ordering tickets. Handicapped seating, Bosch Champ Car Garage passes, hospitality club packages and super photo tickets are also available for purchase.
For up-to-date ticket information, descriptions of the various club ticket packages, or for announcements of special Grand Prix event activities, visit the official Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Web site at longbeachgp.com.
* * *
The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is owned and operated by Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, Inc., a subsidiary of Dover Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE: DVD). Dover Motorsports, Inc. is a leading promoter of motorsports events in the United States. Its subsidiaries operate five tracks (four permanent facilities and one temporary circuit) in four states and promote events under the auspices of the sport’s four premier sanctioning bodies - NASCAR, Champ Car, IRL and NHRA. The company owns and operates Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del.; Nashville Superspeedway in Nashville, Tenn.; Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis, Mo.; and Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tenn.
-TGPLB-
I AM SO GOING
