After what at the time was to be the inaugural round of the D1 USA series was canceled back in March many of us were skeptical of D1GP’s ability to stay a player in American drifting. Last week D1GP confirmed our prediction that the third stop in the series (Altamont Raceway) would indeed be canceled. Could the last minute cancellation be a sign of the end of D1GP in the US?
D1GP press release
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TORRANCE, CA (May 18, 2007) It is with great regret that due to unresolved issues between Altamont Motorsports Park and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, the management of the D1 Grand Prix USA Series and Altamont Motorsports must announce the cancellation of the event that was scheduled there for June 23-24th.
In reference to the recent county imposed ban on drifting that was spearheaded by Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, Altamont Motorsports Park CEO John Condren stated, We will continue to work towards some resolution of this impasse; however, given the timing of the upcoming D1 event date, the Altamont Motorsports Park Board of Directors feels that it is prudent to cancel the event at this time. We are hopeful that we can correct this situation and the perceptions of Supervisor Haggerty over time, perhaps shortly; but financial responsibilities outweigh any further delay of this decision.・
The balance of the D1GP U.S. Series 2007 schedule will continue as planned.
* July 13/14th Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV
* Nov 24/25th Irwindale Speedway - Irwindale, CA
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People saw that coming even before D1 NJ, when the Altamont hearing went south. What’s even more depressing is that D1 didn’t even bother to send a representative to any of the hearings.
Comment by Ed — May 28, 2007 #
any news about the las vegas event? they just about sold it out last year…..
Comment by Joshua Guild — May 29, 2007 #
???????????
Comment by Joshua Guild — May 29, 2007 #
What the press release fails to mention is that fact that a date conflict with the ziptied.com all-start bash was the real reason for the event cancellation.
:)
Comment by DriftLive.com — May 29, 2007 #
Las Vegas is the same day as Seattle. I don’t see many people going to it…
Comment by Ed — May 30, 2007 #
Corrent, both the D1GP Las Vegas event and the Formula D Seattle event are on July 14th.
Comment by DriftLive.com — May 30, 2007 #
I THINK IT WILL WORK OUT…UNSEEDED DRIVERS THAT HAVE A D1 LICENSE OR NEW D1 LICENSE DRIVERS THAT DON’T HAVE THE MONEY TO MAKE IT UP NORTH CAN BE SPOTLIGHTED DUE TO SEEDED DRIVERS NOT BEING THERE. IT WOULD BE NICE FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO GET SOME RECOGNITION. SO IT COULD TURN OUT COOL.
Comment by HEATHER — May 31, 2007 #
D1 USA 07 is dead
they better have a killer irwindale round… i really think they should change there so cal venue though
Cali speedway needs to be resurrected
Comment by Cam — May 31, 2007 #
As others pointed out, this is not surprising in the least. Once Alameda County denied AMP their modified operating permit and essentially banned drifting, there was no doubt that the D1 event scheduled at the venue would be canned.
Obviously poor planning on their part, but people learn from their mistakes. Don’t expect them to go anywhere anytime soon.
Comment by Poo — June 2, 2007 #