A few issues back we wrote an issue about Tony Angelo being the new sheriff in town and it looks like this has finally come true. Due to his extensive knowledge  he has been elected Formula drift Technical Manager. The position focuses primarily on competition vehicle compliance and enforcement of Formula DRIFT technical regulations as stated in the Formula DRIFT rulebook. Tony took to his Wrecked Magazine blog to talk about him taking the position.

“Well, after a successful first year as a Formula Drift judge, I have been brought on to take over the role of Technical Manager.  I’ve been involved in technical regulations for awhile now. I have been involved in every facet of drifting, from racing to judging, building cars,  tech inspections and track setup since 2003, this experience made it possible for me to assume this new role with confidence. I revised the chassis rules at the end of last year, with some major changes that will allow many different cars and drivetrain setups to run at very similar levels on the track. I’ve been very busy with answering team questions and emails about new builds and new rules. I am excited about this new role, and aim to act on any issues that may arise in a quick, judicious and transparent manner. Who’s ready for Long Beach?!?!”

Source: www.wreckedmagazine.com/tonyangelo

Vaughn Gittin Jr. took to his Speedhunters blog to tell everyone about his adventures at 24 Hours Of LeMons which took place at Tunderhill. The San Diego KWWN Channel 4 news team consisted of Ryan Tuerck, Tony Angelo, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and, Chris Forsberg. Check out his stories and adventures on the road in the Channel 4 news S13 Nissan 240sx.

Read his whole blog: http://speedhunters.com/archive/2009/12/10/drivers-blog-gt-gt-vaughn-gittin-jr-24-hours-of-lemons.aspx

Here is what Channel 4 news looked like in action during the 24 Hours of LeMons. The Drift Alliance never looked so good I have to say myself. More content and updates from their journey into 24 Hours of LeMons coming soon!

Channel 4 News Team is of course the crew from Anchorman and they are heading from San Diego to Thunderhill for the 24 Hours of LeMons coming up this weekend. For those unfamiliar with the 24 Hours of LeMons most teams produce gimmicks for their ride. If you haven’t seen the Nissan 240sx they built you can check it out since we posted it earlier this week. We will keep you guys posted on how they perform at the 24 Hours of LeMons this weekend as Team Drift Alliance x Channel 4 News (Anchorman).

The Drift Alliance has prepped a S13 for the 24 Hours of LeMons race this weekend at Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows California. After talking to Chris Forsberg a minute ago it appears the team will be (Chris Forsberg, Tony Angelo, Vaughn Gittin Jr., Ryan Tuerck) and possibly Justin Pawlak.

In case your not familiar with 24 Hours of LeMons is it’s a budget endurance race. “Each LeMons race is for cars purchased, fixed up, and track-prepped for a total of 500 dollars or less.” This should be an interesting one and we wish the Drift Alliance team good luck over the weekend.

Since September is now missing a Formula Drift event due to the IRL x Formula Drift collaboration last month I figured it was appropriate to dig into the Joey Redmond archives and pull out an old drifting gallery. Above is one of my all time favorite photographs I ever took in drifting. Even though this event took place a good two years before Wrecked Magazine was even dreamed up it still holds value as one of the biggest drift events in history.

The above photo is Tony Angelo in his Falken Tires Mazda Rx-7. He is now currently stepped down from driving and as of 2009 he is a Formula Drift judge. It was a huge weekend for Falken Tires and import cars as Calvin Wan took home the win in his hometown. He was the first import to win an event ever and the first victory for Falken Tires.

Here was the final podium featuring Tanner Foust, Vaughn Gittin Jr., and the winner Calvin Wan. If you were a fan of drifting back in 2005 and just want to enjoy a great flash back of this memorable event or a new fan that was not around back in 2005 this is worthy of checking out.

Check out the gallery: http://www.wreckedmagazine.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=138

Formula D Seattle has been one of the best events I can remember the two years we have trekked it up to the northwest and we cannot wait for it this upcoming weekend. If you are lazy/worthless and have not bought tickets yet you are in luck! For the two events in August and Irwindale we are offering a discount for online ticket purchashers. Use the promo code “wrecked” and you will receive $2.00 off your ticket purchases for the rest of the 2009 season!

August 7th-8th: Evergreen Speedway (Monroe, Washington)
August 21st-22nd: Infineon Raceway (Sonoma, California)
October 17th: Irwindale Speedway (Irwindale, California)

Source: http://formulad.com/index.html

Click here to Read Issue 10 Now!

The new issue is packed with driver on driver interviews from Team Falken just days after their podium sweet at Wall Speedway. The Falken interview pairings are Vaughn Gittin Jr. x Daijiro Yoshihara, Ross Petty x Darren McNamara, and Tyler McQuarrie x Calvin Wan. The drivers had a ton of fun interviewing each other and it shows in the interviews. Then we meet up with the privateer on a mission most of you know already know and love Joon Maeng. Then Tony Angelo tells us why he is laying down the law inside the ranks of Formula Drift. Don’t miss all of this and much more!

Read the new issue: http://www.wreckedmagazine.com/issues/issue10/issue10.html

Over the past few years Drifting has grown in the United States in a way that everyone has noticed. One element of the sport that does not get recognized in growth is the fan base and loyalty of the fans at the events. Formula D Atlanta this past week marked the loudest I have ever heard a crowd get over calls being made. Fans were “booing” when they didn’t like the results of a run or action made and other fans brought cowbells and air horns for when they got excited.

On top of all that it was the first time I saw posters flying in the air around the grandstands. A sign that said “Brake Check” and another “T. Angelo Saved Drifting” were found being hoisted up during competition at the event. We only have five rounds left this year somehow but I want to encourage all the fans out there to bring posters, air horns, cow bells along with any other fun materials to keep the energy alive in 2009!

The new issue of Wrecked Magazine has arrived. Ryan Tuerck took the cover with his new Pontiac Solstice which according to him is in championship form. We preview all the new rides for the 2009 Formula D season and also place our own predictions on the outcome of the nwe season.

A City Spotlight on Long Beach, California and we revisit some of our favorite victories of Drifting in the past. A lifestyle section tells you how to live the Drift lifestyle and talks about the new Need for Speed game that came out recently. All this and more inside the new virtual issue. A big thanks to our newest supporter Falken Tires as well!

Read the issue: http://www.wreckedmagazine.com/issues/issue9/issue9.html