BRASELTON, Ga. (May 11, 2015) – Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust returned to his roots this weekend with an appearance at the second round of the 2015 Formula Drift championship.
The two-time series champion said it was great to be back at Road Atlanta where he had the chance to meet with many longtime fans of the sport who packed into the Georgia venue Friday and Saturday.
“It was a record crowd for Formula Drift in its 12-year history there and I signed autographs for two hours straight,” said Foust. “So many people I talked to had been coming to the Road Atlanta round of the series for years, and it was really good to reconnect with them.”
Foust put on a display of smoke and fury in the nitrous-boosted 900-plus horsepower Rockstar Energy Drink / Nitto Tire Volkswagen Passat to secure a solid qualifying spot for Saturday’s main event. It was the second outing for the new car, which Foust introduced for the first time last month at the Long Beach opener.
“It’s still a new car to us and each time we get it onto the track we’re learning things and changing things,” said Foust. “I really enjoyed driving it in Atlanta.”
Ultimately, Foust’s competition ended in the Round of 32 on Saturday when he lost his advantage to 2014 Rookie of the Year Geoff Stoneback in his chase run. Although he said he would have preferred to continue for another few rounds, Foust was able to take a rare opportunity to enjoy the spectacle of top Formula Drift competition from outside the car.
“It was an incredible show,” said Foust. “Watching the top three cars go head to head so many times reminded me what I love about the sport — the full commitment battles are amazing.”
Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport with an emphasis on car control skill. Drivers compete in knockout heats on a closed course, sliding sideways in trials judged on speed and style. With origins in Japan, it is one of the fastest growing forms of motorsports in the world.
The Atlanta round was the second of three Formula Drift appearances on Foust’s calendar this year. He will now turn his focus to rallycross with a return to Marklund Motorsport and the Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Polo May 22-24 for World RX of Great Britain. The Lydden Hill event is a favorite of the American driver, who has won it two of the past three years.
After that, he returns to the United States and the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team for the season opener of the Global Rallycross Championship May 30-31 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Foust’s popular web series, Life in the Foust Lane, documents his travels. It is airing now on the Rockstar Energy Drink YouTube channel at:
ABOUT TANNER FOUST
Tanner Foust is a versatile and multi-talented driver known for his supreme car control and a proven track record of podium placements, national championships and world records. He is a three-time U.S. rallycross champion (2012, 2011, 2010) who has also won four X Games gold medals (2013, 2010, 2007), and two Formula Drift championships (2008, 2007).
He has also held multiple world records including for the astonishing Hot Wheels Double Loop Dare, which saw Foust drive a car through a 66-foot loop-the-loop. He also scored the indoor speed record for TV’s Top Gear USA, and set a distance jump record with Hot Wheels when he made a 332′ ramp-to-ramp leap in a truck at the Indy 500.
A dominant driver in the sport of rallycross, Foust is the only American driver ever to win a round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship. He made his rallycross debut overseas in 2010 with a select campaign and finished both 2011 and 2012 ranked in the top three. At home, Foust has been a leading driver in the sport since it was first introduced to the United States in 2010, and in 2014 won the New York round of the Global Rallycross Championship for the new Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team.
His varied competition experience includes multiple years of open wheel racing, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, rally racing, off-road truck competition, various types of sports car racing and the SCORE Baja. He has represented the USA in the annual Race of Champions three times, teaming with NASCAR star Carl Edwards in 2008, Travis Pastrana in 2009, and Mick Doohan in 2010.
When he isn’t racing, the professional driver also performs in films and on television. He is an on-air host for the U.S. version of the seminal BBC auto show Top Gear, produced by BBC Worldwide Productions and airing on the HISTORY channel. Episodes of his online documentary series, Life in the Foust Lane, are available on the Rockstar Energy Drink YouTube channel.
Foust also handles stunt driving in numerous popular films, TV shows and commercials. He is featured as a stunt driver in the Need 4 Speed film, as well as other major releases including the Bourne Legacy, Bourne Ultimatum, Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Dukes of Hazzard, Red Dawn and Iron Man 2 movies.
ABOUT ROCKSTAR
Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 20 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information visit: www.RockstarEnergy.com
