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Goodyear
Formula Drift Malaysia Day 1 (Free Practice and Best 32 Qualifying)
Organised by ESPN Star Sports
(ESS) Event Management Group, the two-day event saw keen competition as 53 drivers from across the Asia-Pacific region pushed their rear-wheel-drive cars to the limits by demonstrating impeccable precision and vehicle control to enter the ranks of the Top 32. They then faced off in one-on-one tandem battles to whittle down the driver pool to the Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final 4 and finally, the Big 2.
Thousands of spectators poured into MAEPS from as early as 8:30 am, and were thrilled at the hot tyre-burning action as top drivers from eight countries including Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand and Japan put on a fast and furious show that rivalled the very best in the world.
Title sponsor Goodyear Malaysia showcased a stellar line-up of 17 drivers, including top female drifter, Azrina Jane Abdullah, fellow team mates Ariff Johanis, Michael Gan and Johan Norman, as well as some of the top regional drifters, Japan’s Ryuji Miki and New Zealander “Mad” Mike Whiddet, both from Team Goodyear Malaysia.
“We are very pleased that the inaugural Goodyear Formula DRIFT Malaysia has been a huge success, following our equally successful Singapore event in July. The quality of the drivers competing here is certainly world class and the excellent crowd turnout has certainly set a new benchmark for the competition in the region. It is very encouraging to be a part of the continued advancement of the Malaysian motorsports scene, as well as a catalyst to spark the development of local talent,” said Harvey Davis, Vice-President, ESPN STAR Sports Events Management Group. “Once again, I would like to thank our title sponsor Goodyear and all our other partners for making this event a tremendous success.”
ESPN STAR Sports Event Management Group is has a successful track record organizing other regional competitions such as the Standard Chartered Bank FIH Men’s Junior World Cup, KIA X Games Asia, the Guinness 9-Ball Tour, the KL World 5s, the Perak Eco Adventure Race and the Netball World Championships 2011.
“Goodyear’s very first Formula DRIFT Malaysia was sizzling with red-hot action. It is certainly an honor to be part of this exhilarating event. Having such a number of international and local drivers competing only underscores our commitment to raise drifting standards to an international level,” said Richard Fleming, Managing Director, Goodyear ASEAN.
“There is also a high degree of synergy between drifting, a motorsport that places strong emphasis on advanced technology and precision driving and performance tires. Our ultra high performance tires put up a fantastic showing the last two days,” he added.
The Goodyear Formula DRIFT Malaysia was the climax of the three-part Formula DRIFT Series, which blasted off with the Formula DRIFT Singapore ProAm Series 2009 in July and Formula DRIFT Thailand in November.
As the official event organizer and broadcaster for the Goodyear Formula DRIFT Malaysia 2009, ESS will produce and broadcast the event highlight programme on ESS’ footprint of 310 million viewers in 24 countries.
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