LONG BEACH, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2013) – Officials from Formula DRIFT and the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach today announced the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge will return for a second year at the 2014 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, running under the lights on Friday and Saturday, April 11-12.
The Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge, which will take place both nights on the eastern end of the race circuit – turns nine, 10 and 11 – will feature 16 of the sport's top cars and drivers, a list expected to include 2013 Formula DRIFT champion Michael Essa, along with previous series champions Daigo Saito and Daijiro Yoshihara, as well as Frederic Aasbo, Aurimas Bakchis, Conrad Grunewald, Ken Gushi, Tyler McQuarrie and defending Super Drift Challenge winner Matt Powers. Friday's action will include practice and qualifying runs, while Saturday will see the teams compete for a $25,000 prize purse. On Sunday, the Super Drift Challenge cars will drift the entire race circuit after the featured IndyCar Series race.
Grand Prix fans that purchase any admission ticket for Friday or Saturday racing activities will be able to see that night's Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge. Seating for the Super Drift Challenge will be in Grandstands 16, 18, 24, 25 and 26 on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Last year's Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge made history as the first night racing in the history of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Powers took the victory after a close-fought Finals match with top seed Essa, to the delight of more than 10,000 spectators.
"Drifting at night on the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach street course is something special to see and be a part of," said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. "We'd like to extend a special thank-you to Motegi Racing for making it possible to run this magical event once again."
"Last year's Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge was a huge success at every level," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. "The level of competition was superb, our fans enjoyed it and we're delighted to bring it back. Just like last year, the Super Drift Challenge will be presented at no additional cost to our race attendees."
In addition to the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge, the 2013 Grand Prix will again be headlined by the IndyCar Series. Also featured will be the Tequila Patrón TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, Pirelli World Challenge and more races to be announced.
Race weekend's festival of family entertainment includes free Friday and Saturday night concerts and the Lifestyle Expo featuring a huge Family Fun Zone with racing simulators, kids' racing cars, computer games and action sports. Also in the Expo will be the ever-growing Green Power Prix-View, featuring the latest in environmentally conscious products for the car and home. Add to that multiple driver autograph sessions, special events and exhibits highlighting the Grand Prix's 40 years, the popular Food Truck Experience and Sunday's Mothers Exotic Car Paddock, it's a weekend that will be packed full of activity.
Ticket prices for the three-day event range from $28 for a Friday General Admission ticket to $135 for a three-day ticket that includes Sat./Sun. reserved seating in grandstand upper levels. Pre-paid parking packages are also available, along with handicapped seating, IndyCar Paddock passes, Super Photo tickets and a wide variety of Hospitality Club packages.
Fans can select and pay for their 2014 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach seats, parking and paddock passes online at gplb.com. Ticket orders can also be placed by calling the toll-free ticket hotline, (888) 82-SPEED. A printed ticket brochure that includes a circuit map, ticket prices, order form and other information can be obtained by calling the hotline.
Fans can also follow the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on Facebook at GrandPrixLB, Twitter@ToyotaGPLB and Instagram at ToyotaGPLB.
Source: Toyota Gran Prix of Long Beach