As a part of Chrysler's restructuring plan it has announced that Mopar will cease its sponsorship of the NuFormz Racing team and driver Samuel Hübinette.
The writing has been on the wall for quite some time now as Chrysler has been seeking every area where it can cut costs. Additionally, a strong sign was when Hübinette took to the track during the first round of the Formula D series in Long Beach in a Dodge Viper - and not the Challenger (pictured above) that Mopar debuted at the 2008 SEMA Show.
"As a part of Chrysler's comprehensive restructuring plan to revitalize our business and succeed as a stronger car company, we're rigorously reviewing all expenditures and making tough business decisions," said Mike Accavitti, Director of Brand Marketing and Strategy at Chrysler. "The decision to end Team Mopar's sponsorship of NuFormz Racing was difficult because of our long-term relationship with the ream and all of the success we've enjoyed competing in Formula Drift."
Driving for Mopar, Hübinette won the first ever Formula D contest and holds the title of the most outright victories. He won the championship in 2004 and 2006 and was a runner up in '05 and '08.
"I had a great eight-year run as a member of the Team Mopar family and want to thank the company for all the great memories I'm taking away," said NuFormz Racing team owner Shaun Carlson. "It's a tough decision, but given the current economic environment inside and outside of racing, I certainly understand it."
The sponsorship contract will be terminated after the next event in New Jersey on June 5/6.
Drifting is the Syncronized Swimming of Motorsports ! It serves no purpose except fulfilling the marketing dreams of tire makers .
I agree, however, Formula Drift did acquire national exposure for a motorsport outside of Nascar. It gave many automotive makers an outlet to showcase their automotive performance side in the U.S. It certainly gave Dodge and Ford another outing in motorsports in the U.S. besides Nascar. Rally America is slowly coming up, but it's not as big as Formula Drift. FD opened up huge marketing potential for all involved in the automotive business.
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"loyalty first, all the bullsh--- second." -Obie Trice
"DON'T STREET RACE. There's nothing to be gained except carnage." -Russ Oasis
Quote: Originally Posted by Wongfu
Well the only thing that failed is you bi or whatever orientation is. Did I ask hey all you gender confused people please come fill my thread with crap?...with that being said go piss off and hump some other dudes leg
I am one to say that I am disapointed to hear this. Sam Hubinette is a good freind of mine. Love it or hate it, drifting brings out a lot of fans to their events.
I personally was hoping that this would not happen until the end of the year.
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with the claims made against the validity of drifting. In my opinion, drifting is a very innovative motorsport, and arguably expanding more than any other. If you've never been to an event or ridden along with a pro, then maybe you don't get it, but it is a VERY exciting and fun sport. Just because it is the only motorsport without a checkered flag does not mean that it does not deserve respect in the world of auto racing.
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with the claims made against the validity of drifting. In my opinion, drifting is a very innovative motorsport, and arguably expanding more than any other. If you've never been to an event or ridden along with a pro, then maybe you don't get it, but it is a VERY exciting and fun sport. Just because it is the only motorsport without a checkered flag does not mean that it does not deserve respect in the world of auto racing.
Sure , drifting is fun . Sure , drifting takes skill , and Hubinette has gobs of talent . And its too bad that those involved with the mopar team are losing their jobs , there are thousands of DCX employees in the same boat .
But I do not recognize drifting as racing . period . Is it a motorsport ? Ok . Is it the ONLY motorsport without a checkered flag ? Absolutley not !
It does deserve respect , but lets not confuse apples with oranges .
personally any and all pro race car drivers, regardless of the style of racing, havemy respect for beingthe craziest mother fuckers on the planet. Doing 200 mph in a semi straight line going left all the time is boring as fuck, but does require skill. Doing those same banks, on a 45 degree angle, at 120mph, takes BIG GIANT WHALE size balls and more skill than any normal human can muster.
personally any and all pro race car drivers, regardless of the style of racing, havemy respect for beingthe craziest mother fuckers on the planet. Doing 200 mph in a semi straight line going left all the time is boring as fuck, but does require skill. Doing those same banks, on a 45 degree angle, at 120mph, takes BIG GIANT WHALE size balls and more skill than any normal human can muster.
I'd agree totally. And I have never seen a drift car go fast enough for the driver to be at any kind of serious risk.
Ok, here are my thoughts (which, when added to $3.00 should get you a cup of coffee) -
1) I agree that Drifting is not technically racing
2) However, proper drifting requires and incredible amount of car control and driving skill
3) Just like autocross, road racing, off road rally, etc., it is just another way for people to enjoy driving cars...if you have ever had fun in an icy open parking lot, you know what I mean
4) I find drag racing boring and NASCAR dull but that doesn't mean I don't respect the people who push the boundries and enjoy the sport
5) The fact that Drifting has become so popular in such a, relatively, short period of time, should tell you there is something to be enjoyed...maybe not for everyone but
Ok, here are my thoughts (which, when added to $3.00 should get you a cup of coffee) -
1) I agree that Drifting is not technically racing
2) However, proper drifting requires and incredible amount of car control and driving skill
3) Just like autocross, road racing, off road rally, etc., it is just another way for people to enjoy driving cars...if you have ever had fun in an icy open parking lot, you know what I mean
4) I find drag racing boring and NASCAR dull but that doesn't mean I don't respect the people who push the boundries and enjoy the sport
5) The fact that Drifting has become so popular in such a, relatively, short period of time, should tell you there is something to be enjoyed...maybe not for everyone but
now, I will get off the and go back to work
1. Agreed.
2. So does paralell parking in the city. I've never seen a trophy awarded for it.
3. Sure do. It's not a sport tho. Not everything that's fun is a sport.
4. I agree... they are not that exciting to watch, especially on TV. But they are fun to participate in and the fastest car/driver/team wins regardless of style.
5. The Jonas Brothers became very popular very quickly... do you enjoy them?
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Mopar Drops Drifting Sponsorship
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and go back to work
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