The Formula DRIFT 2010 season opener at the Streets of Long Beach, April 9-10, 2010 was host to a sell-out crowd and plenty of smoke-filling action. All new cars, all new drivers, and all new sponsors stood up against each other in the ultimate test of sideways driving maneuvers.
Congratulations to FD Rookie Charles Ng for qualifying Top 32 in his V8 LS6-powered RX-7 FC3S!

Unfortunately for Charles, his first round matchup was against Darren McNamara and the 800hp V8, APR-Sponsored Falken Saturn Sky:

Congratulations to Jeff Abbott and his 300hp turbocharged 1.8L Mazda Miata NB for qualifying Top 32 as well!

Better luck next time Alex Pfeiffer!

FD Rookie Forrest Wang literally drifts semi-circles around a frustrated FD Veteran Justin T. Pawlak (JTP) and his Falken Ford Mustang. What a huge upset for JTP!

Joon Maeng and his Full Tilt Poker built-by-Bergenholtz Racing Mazda RX-8 3-rotor drift machine tearin' up the track (Tanner Foust and his Rockstar Scion tC is actually hot on Joon's heels just to the left of this crop):

Hmm...one...two...three...four...is that right? Do we have FOUR energy drinks on board now? Red Bull, Rockstar, NOS, and now Monster!

See the rest of our pics here:

[2010_04-10] Formula Drift Long Beach