Grand Prix's First-Time Drift Race - In The Dark

The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will offer night racing for the first time in its 39 years by hosting the Formula DRIFT Super Drift Challenge on the Friday and Saturday nights of the racing weekend, April 19-21, 2013.
 
The Challenge is expected to feature 16 of racing's top cars and drivers, including Daigo Saito, Daijiro Yoshihara, Frederic Aasbo, Robbie Nishida and more at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

That weekend's Friday event will feature practice and qualifying runs, followed by teams competing for a $25,000 prize on Saturday. On Sunday, the Super Drift Challenge cars will drift the entire race circuit after the featured IZOD IndyCar Series race.

 Seating for the Super Drift Challenge will be in Grandstands 16, 18, 24, 25 and 26 on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“We are excited to change up the drifting action during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend from an exhibition show to a competition," Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT, said in an announcement. "By doing this we will be able to showcase the true form of competition drifting to the Grand Prix fans. "The icing on the cake comes in the form of night time drifting on the streets. We are truly honored to be the first Series to be competing on the streets of Long Beach at night!”

 The Formula DRIFT Super Drift Challenge is included with Grand Prix admission. Seating for the Challenge will be in grandstands 16, 18, 24, 25 and 26, and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 6:30 p.m.

Admission prices to the Grand Prix range from $28 to $130, depending on number of days purchased and included features.

Last year's Grand Prix offered discounts for military, and Patch will update this and other Grand Prix stories.