View source for Red Bull Drifting World Championship

The '''Red Bull Drifting World Championship''' is a non-championship [[all-star]] [[drifting (motorsport)|drifting]] contest sponsored by [[Red Bull]] [[energy drink]] and hosted by [[IMG (business)|IMG]] and Slipstream Global Marketing, the organizers behind [[Formula D]]. The event took place at the [[Port of Long Beach]] in [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]], [[California]] on November 15–16, 2008.<ref name="everythingdrift45">{{Cite web|url=http://www.everythingdrift.com/blog/?p=45|title = Formula Drift announces Red Bull Drifting World Championship}}</ref>

Announced prior to the [[Las Vegas Motor Speedway|Las Vegas]] Formula D round on July 14, at $50,000,<ref name="formulad818">{{cite web|url=http://www.formulad.com/blog/?p=818|title=So what does Red Bull DWC really mean?|date=12 November 2008|access-date=21 February 2016}}</ref> it boasts of the largest prize money in a drifting contest<ref name="everythingdrift45"/> and the largest TV production for a drift contest.<ref name="formulad818"/>

The inaugural event was won by [[Rhys Millen]], incidentally sponsored by Red Bull, taking home $25,000.

==Criteria for eligibility==
As there are 32 places for the event, drivers from all over the world are given a place should they meet these following criteria:
*Finish at the Top 16 in the Formula D points table
*Become the championship winner at these following oversea drifting events listed below, should that not happen, they are eligible to take up any available runner up spot should it be offered to them.
**[[D1NZ]] ([[New Zealand]])
**Drift Mania Canadian Championship ([[Canada]])
**Drift Australia ([[Australia]])
**[[European Drift Championship]] ([[United Kingdom]])
**International Drift Series ([[Germany]])
**Pro Drift European Series ([[Ireland]])
**Nordic Drifting Championship ([[Scandinavia]])
**[[D1 Grand Prix]] ([[Japan]])
**[[NZ Drift Series]] ([[New Zealand]])
*Have been D1GP title holder in the past years
*Have won the exhibition Formula D Singapore event

==Venue==
Taking place on {{convert|90|acre|m2|adj=on}} lot of newly laided up asphalt on [[Port of Long Beach]], in a course known as "Pier S".<ref name="formulad818"/>

The entire venue had to be built from scratch, however temporary.<ref name="formulad818"/> Altogether, the venue in all, accounting for three grandstands, borrowed from those of the [[Long Beach Grand Prix]] and the 2,000 seating for VIP and sponsor are designed to accommodate up to 25,000 spectators.<ref name="formulad818"/>

The course length is {{convert|1200|ft|m|abbr=on}}, with another {{convert|100|ft|m|abbr=on}} to allow for a rolling start with six corners outlined by a Red Bull sign.<ref name="formulad818"/> Drivers who had driven on the track are said to be capable of reaching {{convert|104|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} during test runs.<ref name="formulad818"/>

==List of invited drivers==
{| class="wikitable" 
|- style="font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold"
! Driver
! Team/Principal sponsor
! Car/Engine
! Series
! Season Position
! Number
|- 
| [[Tanner Foust]] {{flagicon|USA}}<ref name="formuladblog749">{{cite web|url=http://www.formulad.com/blog/?p=749|title=World Championship Drivers List Announced|date=28 October 2008|access-date=21 February 2016}}</ref>
| [[Rockstar (drink)|Rockstar]]/ AEM
| [[Nissan 350Z]]
|rowspan=16| [[Formula D]]
| 2007 & 2008 Champion
| 34
|- 
| [[Samuel Hubinette]] {{flagicon|SWE}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Nuformz [[Mopar]]/[[BF Goodrich|BFG]]
| [[Dodge Viper]] SRT-10
| 2004 & 2006 Champion
| 77
|- 
| [[Rhys Millen]] {{flagicon|NZL}}{{flagicon|USA}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| RMR [[Red Bull]] [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]]
| [[Pontiac Solstice]] GXP
| 2005 Champion
| 6
|- 
| [[Daijiro Yoshihara]] {{flagicon|JPN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| RMR
| [[Pontiac GTO]]
| 4th
| 9
|- 
| [[Chris Forsberg]] {{flagicon|USA}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[NOS (drink)|NOS Energy Drink]] Drift Team 
| [[Nissan 350Z]]-[[Nissan VK engine|VK56DE]] V8
| 5th
| 64
|- 
| [[Michihiro Takatori]] {{flagicon|JPN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[Autobacs|Super Autobacs]]
| [[Nissan Skyline GT-R]] R34
| 7th
| 23
|- 
| [[Conrad Grunewald]] {{flagicon|USA}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Tanaka Racing/Nitto Tires
| [[Chevrolet Corvette C5]]
| 8th
| 79
|- 
| [[Robbie Nishida]] {{flagicon|JPN}}{{flagicon|USA}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[Hankook]]
| [[Nissan 350Z]]
| 9th
| 31
|- 
| [[Vaughn Gittin, Jr.]] {{flagicon|USA}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Team [[Falken Tire]]-Drift Alliance
| [[Fifth-generation Ford Mustang|Ford Mustang GT "5th Gen"]]
| 10th
| 
|- 
| [[Ryuji Miki]] {{flagicon|JPN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[A'PEXi]]-Bergenholtz Racing
| [[Mazda RX-7]] FD3S
| 11th<br>[[2005 D1 Grand Prix season|2004 D1GP Champion]]
| 
|- 
| [[Darren McNamara]]  {{flagicon|IRL}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[Sears]]/[[Falken Tires]]
| [[Saturn Sky]] V8
| 12th<br>2008 Prodrift Runner-up
| 
|- 
| [[Stephan Verdier]] {{flagicon|FRA}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Crawford Motorsports
| [[Subaru Impreza WRX STI]] GD
| 13th
| 
|- 
| [[Ken Gushi]] {{flagicon|JPN}}{{flagicon|USA}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| RS*R [[Scion (automobile)|Scion]]
| [[Scion tC]]
| 14th
| 
|- 
| Bill Sherman {{flagicon|USA}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Retaks/[[Bridgestone]]
| [[Nissan 240SX]] S13
| 15th
| 
|- 
| [[Justin Pawlak]] {{flagicon|USA}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Drift Alliance
| [[Mazda RX-7]] FC3S
| 16th
| 
|- 
| [[Kyle Mohan]] {{flagicon|USA}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| 
| [[Mazda RX-7]] FC3S
| 17th
| 
|- 
| Garry Whiter {{flagicon|NZL}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[Toyo Tires]]
| [[Nissan Silvia]] S14.5
| [[D1NZ]]
| Champion
| 
|- 
| [[Carl Ruiterman]] {{flagicon|NZL}}
| E&H Motors
| [[Nissan Silvia]] S14
| NZ Drift
| Champion
| 16
|- 
| Freddy Girrard {{flagicon|CAN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[Hankook]]
| [[Nissan Skyline]] R32
|rowspan=2| DMCC
| Champion
| 
|- 
| Marcos Santos {{flagicon|CAN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| 
| 
| Runners-up
| 
|- 
| Leighton Fine {{flagicon|AUS}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[Toyo Tires]]
| [[Nissan 240SX]]S14
|rowspan=3| Drift Australia
| 2008 Champion
| 
|- 
| Luke Fink {{flagicon|AUS}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Holford Motors
| [[Nissan 180SX]]
| 2008 Runners-up
| 
|- 
| Robbie Bolger {{flagicon|AUS}}
| 
| [[Nissan 180SX]]
| 2007 Champion
| 
|- 
| [[Ben Broke-Smith]] {{flagicon|GBR}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Driftworks
| [[Toyota Chaser]]
|rowspan=2| [[European Drift Championship|EDC]]
| Champion
| 24
|- 
| Tim Marshall {{flagicon|GBR}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Apex Performance
| [[Nissan Skyline]] R33/[[Chevrolet Small-Block engine|SB Chevy V8]]
| 2nd
| 118
|- 
| [[Tengku Djan Ley]] {{flagicon|Malaysia}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[Bridgestone]]
| [[Nissan 180SX]]S13.5
|rowspan=2| [[Formula D|FD Singapore]]
| Champion
| 
|- 
| [[Mike Whiddett]] {{flagicon|NZL}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[Red Bull]]
| [[Mazda RX-7]] FD3S 4Rotor
| 2nd
| 15
|- 
| [[James Deane (drift driver)|James Deane]] {{flagicon|IRL}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Nexen
| [[Nissan 200SX]] S14.5 [[Nissan RB engine|RB26]]
|rowspan=2| ProDrift
| Champion
| 
|- 
| Eric O’Sullivan {{flagicon|IRL}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Rockstar
| [[Toyota AE86|Toyota Corolla Coupe]] AE86 F20 
| 2nd
| 
|- 
| [[Fredric Aasbø]] {{flagicon|NOR}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Japan Auto
| [[Toyota Supra]]
| NDC
| Champion
| 
|- 
| Remmo Niezen {{flagicon|NED}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| 
| [[BMW M3]] [[BMW E30|E30]] V8
|rowspan=2| IDS
| Champion
| 
|- 
| Paul Vlasblom {{flagicon|NED}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Driftking.NL
| [[BMW M3]] [[BMW E36|E36]] Touring
| 
|- 
| [[Katsuhiro Ueo]] {{flagicon|JPN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Drift Speed
| [[Nissan Silvia]] S15
| [[D1 Grand Prix|D1GP]]
| [[2002 D1 Grand Prix season|2002 Champion]]
| 86
|- 
! colspan=6 align="center" | drivers who been invited but declined entries
|- 
| [[Ryan Tuerck]] {{flagicon|USA}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Gardella Racing
| [[Pontiac Solstice]] GXP
| [[Formula D]]
| 6th
| 
|- 
| [[Nobuteru Taniguchi]] {{flagicon|JPN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[HKS (company)|HKS]]
| [[Lexus IS|Toyota Altezza]]
|rowspan=6|  [[D1 Grand Prix|D1GP]]
| [[2001 D1 Grand Prix season|2001 Champion]]
| 
|- 
| [[Youichi Imamura]] {{flagicon|JPN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Auto Produce Boss
| [[Nissan Silvia]] S15
| [[2003 D1 Grand Prix season|2003 Champion]]
| 
|- 
| [[Yasuyuki Kazama]] {{flagicon|JPN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| 
| 
|[[2005 D1 Grand Prix season|2005 Champion]]
| 
|- 
| [[Nobushige Kumakubo]] {{flagicon|JPN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Team Orange
| [[Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution|Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX]]
|[[2006 D1 Grand Prix season|2006 Champion]]
| 
|- 
| [[Masato Kawabata]] {{flagicon|JPN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| [[Toyo Tires|Team Toyo]]
| [[Nissan 180SX]]
|[[2007 D1 Grand Prix season|2007 Champion]]
| 
|- 
| [[Daigo Saito]] {{flagicon|JPN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| Team 22
| [[Toyota Mark II]] JZX 100
| [[2008 D1 Grand Prix season|2008 Champion]]
| 
|- 
| [[Manabu Orido]] {{flagicon|JPN}}<ref name="formuladblog749"/>
| 
|
| MSC Challenge
| Series judge
| 
|}

With the exception of Formula D, each series are allocated two entries, including D1GP, who following negotiation, were given six invites<ref name="wreckedmagazine2008/11/02">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wreckedmagazine.com/blog/2008/11/02/formula-d-speaks-out-about-d1redbull-drama-on-driftingcom/|title=Log into Facebook}}</ref>

When negotiation broke down, D1 drivers were discouraged from taking invites, therefore they were approached directly by the FD management to find out that they invited entrants, the former D1GP champions in particular, had to decline their entries<ref name="wreckedmagazine2008/11/02"/> for the reason of scheduling conflicts. Kumakubo declined his as he was due to take part in a drift demo in [[Dubai]],<ref name="formuladblog749"/> Kazama, despite no longer involved in the series, declined because of schedule clash.<ref name="formuladblog749"/>

Former D1GP judge, competitor and [[Super GT]] driver, Orido was forced to decline his invitation as he was competing in the [[World Touring Car Championship|WTCC]] [[Guia Race]] at [[Macau Grand Prix|Macau]] on the same weekend,<ref name="formuladblog749"/> as was fellow judge and returning competitor Taniguchi, was taking part in a Super Taikyu race in Japan.

Other than that,  and 2003 champion, Imamura declined his as he was unable to attend,<ref name="formuladblog749"/> the 2007 champion Kawabata declined his entry, but it was revealed that "[[conflict of interest]]" led them to decline. Saito, who originally accepted his entry, was forced to decline his entry for the same reason, although it was rumored that he placed two cars in a container to make its way to the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wreckedmagazine.com/blog/2008/10/31/more-redbull-drift-drama-daigo-saito-not-coming-anymore/|title=More Redbull Drift Drama: Daigo Saito Not Coming Anymore|work=Breaking Drift News|access-date=21 February 2016}}</ref> Millen backed this claim of the organisation's bullying tactic during an interview<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_10980595?source=rss |title=Formula Drift is seeing a big influx - Press-Telegram |access-date=2012-08-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214072925/http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_10980595?source=rss |archive-date=2012-02-14 }}</ref>

Only one FD driver, Tuerck, declined for budgetary reason as he is lacking a title sponsor, funding could not stretch for the event, therefore Mohan took his place.<ref name="formuladblog749"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wreckedmagazine.com/blog/2008/10/28/ryan-tuerck-not-at-redbull/|title=Ryan Tuerck – Not at Redbull Championship|work=Breaking Drift News|access-date=21 February 2016}}</ref> Santos, Bolger and Ruiterman made up the rest of the available slot.

==Qualifying==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold"
! Number
! Starting<br>order<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.formulad.com/blog/?p=853|title=Red Bull Drifting World Championship Qualifying Order|date=14 November 2008|access-date=21 February 2016}}</ref>
! Driver
! Score<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.formulad.com/blog/?p=874|title=Red Bull Drifting World Championship Top 32 Bracket|date=16 November 2008|access-date=21 February 2016}}</ref>
|- 
| 6
| 26
| Millen
| 98.17
|- 
| 77
| 18
| Hubinette
| 97.00
|- 
| 32
| 9
| Vlasblom
| 96.83
|- 
| 86
| 13
| Ueo
| 96.08
|- 
| 8
| 10
| McNamara
| 95.75
|- 
| 9
| 28
| Yoshihara
| 94.67
|- 
| 25
| 6
| Gittin
| 94.50
|- 
| 79
| 25
| Grunewald
| 93.83
|- 
| 34
| 5
| Foust
| 93.50
|- 
| 99
| 21
| Mohan
| 93.08
|- 
| 23
| 11
| Takatori
| 92.25
|- 
| 64
| 32
| Forsberg
| 92.08
|- 
| 16
| 7
| Ruiterman
| 90.33
|- 
| 51
| 24
| Aasbo
| 90.33
|- 
| 17
| 19
| Deane
| 86.67
|- 
| 48
| 17
| Djan
| 86.50
|- 
| 12
| 23
| Verdier
| 83.92
|- 
| 118
| 8
| Marshall
| 83.67
|- 
| 69
| 14
| Fink
| 83.42
|- 
| 11
| 29
| Whiter
| 82.92
|- 
| 7
| 31
| O’Sullivan
| 82.92
|- 
| 22
| 16
| Sherman
| 82.50
|- 
| 14
| 12
| Fine
| 80.58
|- 
| 20
| 30
| Niezen
| 79.58
|- 
| 31
| 3
| Nishida
| 77.83
|- 
| 19
| 4
| Santos
| 77.25
|- 
| 911
| 27
| Bolger
| 72.67
|- 
| 24
| 20
| Broke-Smith
| 72.42
|- 
| 5
| 1
| Gushi
| 0.00
|- 
| 15
| 2
| Whiddett
| 0.00
|- 
| 26
| 15
| Miki
| 0.00
|- 
| 13
| 22
| Pawlak
| 0.00
|}

==Knockout stage==
{{32TeamBracket|compact=yes|seeds=no
|team-width=auto
| RD1=Top 32<ref>{{cite web|url=http://formulad.com/redbull/drifting-world-championship/red_bull_results_2008.php|title=Formula DRIFT - 404|access-date=21 February 2016}}</ref>
| RD2=Top 16
| RD3=Great 8
| RD4=Semi Finals
| RD5=Final
| group1=
| group2=
| group3=
| group4=
| RD1-team01={{flagicon|NZL}}'''Millen'''
| RD1-score01=
| RD1-team02={{flagicon|USA}}Gushi
| RD1-score02=
| RD1-team03={{flagicon|IRL}}O'Sullivan
| RD1-score03=
| RD1-team04={{flagicon|FRA}}'''Verdier'''
| RD1-score04=
| RD1-team05={{flagicon|JPN}}Takatori
| RD1-score05=
| RD1-team06={{flagicon|USA}}'''Sherman'''
| RD1-score06=
| RD1-team07={{flagicon|USA}}'''Gittin'''
| RD1-score07=
| RD1-team08={{flagicon|CAN}}Santos
| RD1-score08=
| RD1-team09={{flagicon|IRL}}'''McNamara'''
| RD1-score09=
| RD1-team10={{flagicon|GBR}}Broke-Smith
| RD1-score10=
| RD1-team11={{flagicon|USA}}'''Foust'''
| RD1-score11=
| RD1-team12={{flagicon|NED}}Niezen
| RD1-score12=
| RD1-team13={{flagicon|NZL}}'''Ruiterman'''
| RD1-score13=
| RD1-team14={{flagicon|AUS}}Fink
| RD1-score14=
| RD1-team15={{flagicon|NED}}Vlasblom
| RD1-score15=
| RD1-team16={{flagicon|AUS}}'''Whiddet'''
| RD1-score16=
| RD1-team17={{flagicon|SWE}}'''Hubinette'''
| RD1-score17=
| RD1-team18={{flagicon|JPN}}Miki
| RD1-score18=
| RD1-team19={{flagicon|IRL}}Deane
| RD1-score19=
| RD1-team20={{flagicon|MYS}}'''Tengku'''
| RD1-score20=
| RD1-team21={{flagicon|USA}}'''Forsberg'''
| RD1-score21=
| RD1-team22={{flagicon|NZL}}Whiter
| RD1-score22=
| RD1-team23={{flagicon|USA}}Grunewald
| RD1-score23=
| RD1-team24={{flagicon|JPN}}'''Nishida'''
| RD1-score24=
| RD1-team25={{flagicon|JPN}}'''Yoshihara'''
| RD1-score25=
| RD1-team26={{flagicon|AUS}}Bolger
| RD1-score26=
| RD1-team27={{flagicon|USA}}Mohan
| RD1-score27=
| RD1-team28={{flagicon|AUS}}'''Fine'''
| RD1-score28=
| RD1-team29={{flagicon|NOR}}'''Aasbo'''
| RD1-score29=
| RD1-team30={{flagicon|GBR}}Marshall
| RD1-score30=
| RD1-team31={{flagicon|JPN}}'''Ueo'''
| RD1-score31=
| RD1-team32={{flagicon|USA}}Pawlak
| RD1-score32=
| RD2-team01={{flagicon|NZL}}'''Millen'''
| RD2-score01=
| RD2-team02={{flagicon|FRA}}Verdier
| RD2-score02=
| RD2-team03={{flagicon|USA}}Sherman
| RD2-score03=
| RD2-team04={{flagicon|USA}}'''Gittin'''
| RD2-score04=
| RD2-team05={{flagicon|IRL}}McNamara
| RD2-score05=
| RD2-team06={{flagicon|USA}}'''Foust'''
| RD2-score06=
| RD2-team07={{flagicon|NZL}}Ruiterman
| RD2-score07=
| RD2-team08={{flagicon|AUS}}'''Whiddet'''
| RD2-score08=
| RD2-team09={{flagicon|SWE}}'''Hubinette'''
| RD2-score09=
| RD2-team10={{flagicon|MYS}}Tengku
| RD2-score10=
| RD2-team11={{flagicon|USA}}'''Forsberg'''
| RD2-score11=
| RD2-team12={{flagicon|JPN}}Nishida
| RD2-score12=
| RD2-team13={{flagicon|JPN}}'''Yoshihara'''
| RD2-score13=
| RD2-team14={{flagicon|AUS}}Fine
| RD2-score14=
| RD2-team15={{flagicon|NOR}}Aasbo
| RD2-score15=
| RD2-team16={{flagicon|JPN}}'''Ueo'''
| RD2-score16=
| RD3-team01={{flagicon|NZL}}'''Millen'''
| RD3-score01=
| RD3-team02={{flagicon|USA}}Gittin
| RD3-score02=
| RD3-team03={{flagicon|USA}}'''Foust'''
| RD3-score03=
| RD3-team04={{flagicon|AUS}}Whiddet
| RD3-score04=
| RD3-team05={{flagicon|SWE}}'''Hubinette'''
| RD3-score05=
| RD3-team06={{flagicon|USA}}Forsberg
| RD3-score06=
| RD3-team07={{flagicon|JPN}}'''Yoshihara'''
| RD3-score07=
| RD3-team08={{flagicon|JPN}}Ueo
| RD3-score08=
| RD4-team01={{flagicon|NZL}}'''Millen'''
| RD4-score01=
| RD4-team02={{flagicon|USA}}Foust
| RD4-score02=
| RD4-team03={{flagicon|SWE}}Hubinette
| RD4-score03=
| RD4-team04={{flagicon|JPN}}'''Yoshihara'''
| RD4-score04=
| RD5-team01={{flagicon|NZL}}'''Millen'''
| RD5-score01=
| RD5-team02={{flagicon|JPN}}Yoshihara
| RD5-score02=
}}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
*[http://www.everythingdrift.com/blog/?p=190]

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090207211122/http://www.redbullusa.com/en/ArticlePage.1223507668796-1082666925/htmlArticlePage.action Official Red Bull site]
*[http://formulad.com/redbull/drifting-world-championship/ Official Formula D site]

{{Red Bull}}

[[Category:Formula D]]
[[Category:Red Bull sports events|Drifting World Championship]]