Drifting is unlike any other motorsport in which Ford participates – but for those not familiar with the sport, we wanted to answer a couple of common questions: What exactly is it, and what is the goal? Let’s take you through a typical event to explain.

After unloading their rig and setting up at the track, team drivers have the opportunity to run practice laps on the venue’s course. Each lap has a specified start and finish location that are typically a half-mile or so in length from start to finish. These laps are done solo, simply to get the driver accustomed to the track. The day before the main event is known as Qualifying Day. Each driver is given two separate laps, at which time three judges are present to score their runs. Each run has a maximum score of 100. Drivers are scored in three different categories: Line, Angle, and Style. For a breakdown of each category visit this site.

Once qualifying is all wrapped up, the top 32 drivers (out of a total of 35 participants) with the highest score compete against each other in bracket-style competition on Race Day. Each race consists of two separate runs, or laps. A driver will make a lead and a chase run during each matchup. The goal of the lead driver is to drive the given race line, while providing a chaseable run for the follow driver. The goal of the follow driver is to maintain proximity to the lead driver and mimic their movements as closely as possible.

The race is no longer judged by points, but rather how each driver does in lead vs. chase position. The three judges will each choose one winner of each round. The winner moves up in the bracket, while the loser heads back to their trailer to pack up.

For the 2019 season of Formula Drift, Ford Performance has three drivers formally sponsored in the PRO series. Justin Pawlak, Chelsea Denofa and Vaughn Gittin Jr. each pilot S550-based Ford Mustangs that easily crank out of 1,000 horsepower each. (Most recently, Denofa took 1st place in Round 7 of the Formula Drift Pro 1 Championship weekend in Texas. This track was also where he received his PRO drifting license. The Ford Performance RTR driver has not had a 1st place win since 2016.)