LOS ANGELES, CA (Tanner Foust Racing) — Two-time Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust is stepping away from Formula DRIFT series competition for the 2011 season to focus on increased television commitments, including a second season of the US version of Top Gear, and a packed rallycross competition schedule.
“The past seven years of drifting with Formula D were
incredible and I owe a lot to the sport that helped launch my professional
career,” said Foust. “I still believe it is one of the best places
for grassroots racers to find their professional legs and learn to make a
living behind the wheel.”
Foust, the only driver to score back-to-back championship titles in the series,
plans to remain involved in the sport. He will travel to Abu Dhabi with the
Rockstar Energy Scion tC at the end of the month to participate in the Formula
DRIFT invitational event at the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit, and will break
out the same machine for the SPEED Dream Ride event in April to drift the
entire Infineon Raceway track with passengers.
“Tanner will be missed by the series and the fans as he has become one of the
most recognizable drivers on the circuit and is one of the most outspoken
supporters of Formula DRIFT,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of
Formula DRIFT. “His semi-retirement from drifting will open the door for other
drivers in the series to make their own mark. We wish Tanner more success in
his career both on and off the track.
After five years of full-time competition with Papadakis Racing, the team
racked up numerous accomplishments in the sport of drifting.
They finished third in their first season together in a Nissan 350z, and then
won back-to-back championships in 2007 and 2008. They debuted their Scion tC
with a sixth-place series finish and then closed out the car’s competition life
in second overall in the 2010 championship.
“Thank you Scion, Rockstar, Hankook Tires, Motegi, AEM, and the amazing
crew at Papadakis Racing for the drive and support,” said Foust. “I
look forward to watching Stephan and his new driver enjoy continued
success.”
For 2011, the driver is preparing to run the entire 10-event European Rallycross
Championship season, as well as contesting the domestic rallycross series. His
first US competition will be the Global Rallycross season opener on March 26,
at Irwindale Speedway, in the Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta. His European
season begins a month later in England. He is also planning to return to X
Games to defend his dual gold medals.
“I’m going to miss being at each event in the series and hanging out with
some of the greatest fans there are in motorsport,” said Foust. “I’ve
had a blast meeting, talking to and Facebooking so many drift fans. I’ll still
be lucky enough to stay busy in the world of racing so I hope to catch up with
some of the Formula D regulars at various events throughout the year.”
Papadakis Racing has partnered with Need for Speed to create a new team
featuring 2010 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year and Nordic Drift Champion,
Fredric Aasbo, behind the wheel of the Team Need for Speed 2011 Scion tC.
Top Gear will return for a second season on HISTORY in 2011, along with
hosts Foust, Adam Ferrara and Rutledge Wood.
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 and
national championships. He is a three-time X Games gold medalist (2007, 2010),
and two-time Formula DRIFT champion (2007, 2008). He took the win at the
inaugural Gymkhana Grid event late last year. He has twice represented Team USA
in the annual Race of Champions, teaming with NASCAR star Carl Edwards in 2008
and Travis Pastrana in 2009. He returned to the event in 2010 as teammate to
Mick Doohan on the All Star Team.
His varied race experience also includes multiple years of open wheel
competition, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, rally racing, various types of sports
car racing and the SCORE Baja.
Even if you haven’t seen Foust on the track you’ve likely witnessed his
precision car control on TV or the big screen. He was a lead driver in the Fast
and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Bourne Ultimatum, Dukes of Hazzard, Red Dawn and Iron
Man 2 movies, and also handles stunt driving in numerous popular TV shows and
commercials.
Foust is an on-air host for SPEED TV’s Battle of the Supercars, and the US
version of the seminal BBC auto show, Top Gear, on HISTORY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To arrange interviews or find out more, contact fred@beyondmg.com.
