The weekend of December 17 and 18, 2011 is set to be filled with hisses from blow-off-valves, screeching tires, billowing smoke and smell of burnt rubber when Archilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011 returns with a bang to Kuala Lumpur. ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) and Title Sponsor Archilles Radial have announced the return of the third edition of the much-loved drift event, to the historic venue of Dataran Merdeka. The Malaysian edition of the Formula Drift has attracted regional interest and talent, as well as world-class drivers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.
Forty professional drivers from across Asia Pacific will be vying for honours in their rear-wheel drive cars, which will include defending champion Daigo Saito of Spark Archilles Motorsports. Saito has stamped his mark of supremacy in previous legs in Singapore and Indonesia. Fellow Japanese compatriot and race legend Orido Manubu is expected to give Saito a run for the money in his RSR Toyota Supra. Some world class drifting action is expected to be displayed. This is Orido’s debut in the Formula Drift Asia series.
Other top drivers from the region include Thai stars Kiki Sak Nana and Saranon, in addition to Australian champion Josh Boetchher, who will be making his debut in Malaysia.
Malaysia’s hopefuls and local drift stars – Ivan Lau, Tan Tat Wei, Ariff Johanis and Ee Yoong Chern will be capitalising on their homeground advantage and local partisan support.
[quote]“With the support from Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Dataran Merdeka has been the perfect host for our hugely successful event last year and we expect a bigger response in this upcoming edition. We are delighted to stage the Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011 and we look forward to having this high calibre of world-class drivers entertain and thrill our drifting fans again,” said Harvey Davis, Vice President, Event Management, ESPN STAR Sports.
Said Pieter Tanuri, the President Director of PT. Multistrada Arah Sarana, Tbk: “Formula Drift is one of the fastest growing motorsports in ASEAN today and we’re delighted to be associated with this premium event and our goal has always been to advance the world of drift racing. Malaysia is a major motorsports nation and we look forward to a great event in Kuala Lumpur with top drifters from across Asia, Australia, Japan and the USA.[/quote]
The Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011 is organized by ESS and title sponsored by Achilles Radial. The event is also supported by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur and the following proud Sponsors & Partners – Mansion 88 (Official Sponsor), Tune Talk (Official Telco), Chevrolet (Official Car), Hypertune & SHIFT (Official Partners), Tyrepac (Official Online Portal), DRIVE (Official Energy Drink), Tayaria (Official Tyre Changer), Spritzer (Official Water) and Doubletree Hilton (Official Hotel). ESPN STAR Sports is the official broadcaster for the Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011, and the coverage will be aired across its networks, covering 24 countries to a cumulative reach of more than 300 million viewers in Asia.
Tickets are available from Ticket Pro from 21 November 2011 (www.ticketpro.com.my or Hotline 03 7880 7999). Walkabout tickets cost RM28 and Grandstand tickets go for RM128. For more information, log on to the official Formula DRIFT web site www.formuladriftasia.com.
[spoiler title=”Show Official Press Release”]
Media Release
Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011 returns to rev up heart of Kuala Lumpur at Dataran Merdeka
Third edition set for more intense racing as some of the world’s top drifters go head to head in fiery fashion
2 December 2011 (Kuala Lumpur) – Fast cars, screeching tires and billowing smoke return to Kuala Lumpur as the adrenaline-pumping action of the Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011 returns on 17-18 December 2011.
Following a successful event last year that brought Malaysian motorsport fans right to the edge of the drifting action, ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) and Title Sponsor Achilles Radial have announced the return of the third edition to the historic site of Dataran Merdeka.
This year, spectators can look forward to catch some 40 professional drivers from across Asia-Pacific pushing their rear-wheel-drive cars to the limit with impeccable precision and vehicle control. This year’s edition will see the return of defending champion Daigo Saito of Spark Achilles Motorsports, who has stamped his authority on the series having won the Singapore and Indonesian legs earlier in convincing fashion.
Daigo will be facing stiff competition from his fellow countryman and race legend Orido Manubu in his iconic RSR Toyota Supra. This will be Orido’s debut in the Formula Drift Asia series and fans can expect no less than some world-class drifting skills on display by this legend. Other top drivers from the region include Thai stars Kiki Sak Nana and Saranon, in addition to Australian champion Josh Boetchher, who will make his maiden appearance in Malaysia.
Malaysia’s top drivers will be looking to capitalise on the local partisan support and their homeground advantage as they eye for podium finishes at the championship in front of their fans in Kuala Lumpur. Local crowd favourites such as Ivan Lau, Tan Tat Wei, Ariff Johanis and Ee Yoong Chern will be sure to give the international drivers a run for their money.
“With the support from Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Dataran Merdeka has been the perfect host for our hugely successful event last year and we expect a bigger response in this upcoming edition. We are delighted to stage the Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011 and we look forward to having this high calibre of world-class drivers entertain and thrill our drifting fans again,” said Harvey Davis, Vice President, Event Management, ESPN STAR Sports.
Said Pieter Tanuri, the President Director of PT. Multistrada Arah Sarana, Tbk: “Formula Drift is one of the fastest growing motorsports in ASEAN today and we’re delighted to be associated with this premium event and our goal has always been to advance the world of drift racing. Malaysia is a major motorsports nation and we look forward to a great event in Kuala Lumpur with top drifters from across Asia, Australia, Japan and the USA.
“Achilles won a perfect victory at FD Indonesia 2011 that had Daigo Saito from Spark Achilles Motorsport winning top place, followed by Rulli Armando from Achilles Drift Indonesia Team and Pond from Redbull Achilles Drift Thailand Team. We’re proud to be behind the three podium winners and we look forward to another great performance in Kuala Lumpur next month.”
The Malaysian edition of the Formula Drift has become a highlight on the sporting calendar, attracting regional interest and talent, as well as world-class drivers hailing from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia. Fans in Malaysia can expect a thrilling experience as top-class drivers burn up the course two-at-a-time, often only inches apart, featuring aggressive side-by-side action, nail-biting power slides and spectacular drifting along a series of tight corners as powerful engines roar and tires bellow smoke.
The Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011 is the third leg of the Achilles Asian Drift Series 2011, which covers Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. Tickets are available from Ticket Pro from 21 November 2011 (www.ticketpro.com.my or Hotline 03 7880 7999). Walkabout tickets cost RM28 and Grandstand tickets go for RM128. For more information, log on to the official Formula DRIFT web site www.formuladriftasia.com.
The Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011 is organized by ESS and title sponsored by Achilles Radial. The event is also supported by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur and the following proud Sponsors & Partners – Mansion 88 (Official Sponsor), Tune Talk (Official Telco), Chevrolet (Official Car), Hypertune & SHIFT (Official Partners), Tyrepac (Official Online Portal), DRIVE (Official Energy Drink), Tayaria (Official Tyre Changer), Spritzer (Official Water) and Doubletree Hilton (Official Hotel). ESPN STAR Sports is the official broadcaster for the Achilles Formula Drift Malaysia 2011, and the coverage will be aired across its networks, covering 24 countries to a cumulative reach of more than 300 million viewers in Asia.
[/spoiler]