The first race in the eight rounds in the competition does not start until March 26, but the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon event has a section dedicated to the men and machines that will be competing this year, titled Kick Off Drift.
Over the event's three-day run, the parking lot outside the convention hall will be turned into a high-speed mini-drifting course where top racers will show off their moves along the sharp curves.
The first race of the season will be held at the Odaiba circuit in Tokyo, when 40 of the best drivers from around the world will begin a campaign that will see one of them crowned overall winner of the series at the Fuji Speedway track after the final race of the season on October 23.
Drifting started out as a technique used by racers in the All Japan Touring Car Championship in the 1970s. It is caused by the driver intentionally over-steering to cause a loss of traction in the rear wheels through a turn while at the same time retaining control over the vehicle and giving the driver a rapid exit from the bend.
The technique began to be copied by street racers, notably Keiichi Tsuchiya, who became know as the "Drift King," and was picked up by auto magazines and specialist tuning garages. Gaining in popularity, drifting went mainstream when Tsuchiya helped set up the first D1 Grand Prix in 2000.
The sport attracted a similar following overseas, particularly in the United States, helped in part by computer games such as Sega Rally and Ridge Racer, as well as the hit feature filmThe Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
Unlike other motor sports, winning is not all about how fast the vehicle goes, as the judges award points based on angle, speed, engine noise and even the amount of smoke a vehicle kicks out.
In D1 events, drivers first compete in the solo "Tanso" round, where they must follow a set course line.
The top 16 performers then progress to the "Tuiso" stage, which comprises a series of head-to-head races that continue until the winner emerges.
2011 D1 Grand Prix schedule:
Rounds 1 and 2 - March 26-27, Tokyo Drift in Odaiba (Tokyo)
Round 3 - April 23-24, Autopolis (Oita, Kyushu)
Round 4 - May 21-22, Suzuka Circuit (Mie)
Round 5 - June 25-26, Okayama International Circuit (Okayama)
Rounds 6 and 7 - August 6-7, Ebisu Circuit (Fukushima)
Round 8 - October 22-23, Fuji Speedway (Shizuoka)
More information: http://www.d1gp.co.jp
Over the event's three-day run, the parking lot outside the convention hall will be turned into a high-speed mini-drifting course where top racers will show off their moves along the sharp curves.
The first race of the season will be held at the Odaiba circuit in Tokyo, when 40 of the best drivers from around the world will begin a campaign that will see one of them crowned overall winner of the series at the Fuji Speedway track after the final race of the season on October 23.
Drifting started out as a technique used by racers in the All Japan Touring Car Championship in the 1970s. It is caused by the driver intentionally over-steering to cause a loss of traction in the rear wheels through a turn while at the same time retaining control over the vehicle and giving the driver a rapid exit from the bend.
The technique began to be copied by street racers, notably Keiichi Tsuchiya, who became know as the "Drift King," and was picked up by auto magazines and specialist tuning garages. Gaining in popularity, drifting went mainstream when Tsuchiya helped set up the first D1 Grand Prix in 2000.
The sport attracted a similar following overseas, particularly in the United States, helped in part by computer games such as Sega Rally and Ridge Racer, as well as the hit feature filmThe Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
Unlike other motor sports, winning is not all about how fast the vehicle goes, as the judges award points based on angle, speed, engine noise and even the amount of smoke a vehicle kicks out.
In D1 events, drivers first compete in the solo "Tanso" round, where they must follow a set course line.
The top 16 performers then progress to the "Tuiso" stage, which comprises a series of head-to-head races that continue until the winner emerges.
2011 D1 Grand Prix schedule:
Rounds 1 and 2 - March 26-27, Tokyo Drift in Odaiba (Tokyo)
Round 3 - April 23-24, Autopolis (Oita, Kyushu)
Round 4 - May 21-22, Suzuka Circuit (Mie)
Round 5 - June 25-26, Okayama International Circuit (Okayama)
Rounds 6 and 7 - August 6-7, Ebisu Circuit (Fukushima)
Round 8 - October 22-23, Fuji Speedway (Shizuoka)
More information: http://www.d1gp.co.jp
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