More cars in new format

THE US-based Formula Drift Pro Championship series return to Singapore this year with a new format and a new name.

With the name changed to Formula Drift ProAm Series 2009, this year's competition will be a fairer one for regional drivers as there will not be any professional competitors from the US, said Marcus Lim, 31, the general manager of Binter & Co.

Lim, 31, who founded Binter's motorsports arm - Binter Drifter - holds the rights to Formula Drift in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia until 2010.

Lim revealed that this year's course will be more technical with four clipping points (scoring points).

Tighter course

'The course will be much narrower, down from 18m to 13m wide. With a tighter course, drivers will have to manoeuvre their cars much closer to one another,' explained Lim.

More concrete barricades have also been put up to get your adrenaline pumping when the cars try to kiss the wall.

The two-day event will see 37 drivers, coming from Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, battling it out with our local drivers at Changi Exhibition Centre.

Ten drivers will be competing under the sponsorship of Goodyear.

Goodyear, a major sponsor of motorsports in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and India, is preparing to burn at least 100 of its ultra high performance tyres on event day.

Said Tommy Fok, 27, sales manager of Goodyear Singapore Tyres: 'We have seen a growing interest in motorsports since last year's Formula Drift.

'The series have been very professionally organised with TV coverage. Such events will help to raise the standard of motorsports in the region.'

Added Lim: 'Some of the drivers, who competed last year, are returning to the competition with new cars.

'These drivers saw the high standard set last year and have since invested in new cars for this year's event.

'There will be a wide variety of cars, ranging from the Nissan Silvia, Nissan Skyline, Toyota AE86, Toyota Chaser, Toyota Soarer, Mazda MX5 to even Lexus.

'The pits will be open to the public throughout the event so that they can get closer to check out the cars.'

Goodyear's Ford GT will also be displayed at its booth for the public to take photos.