The first Intercontinental Drifting Cup approved by FIA is finally happening, and will take place in Tokyo on September 30.

The announcement came at the fifth FIA Sport Conference in Geneva, saying that the inaugural event will be promoted by Sunpros and Saita, with the former being responsible for the D1 Grand Prix series since it started in 2001.

FIA President, Jean Todt, said, “This is the beginning of a very important category for the FIA. As we continue to develop motor sport around the world, drifting has a great appeal to young people and has a passionate core following which is only going to get bigger.

“With the creation of the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup, we are building the framework for a standard format which will help the sport continue to grow from grass roots level to more professional competitions globally. We are setting the standard for what I’m sure will be a hugely successful form of motor sport.”

President of SUNPROS, Mr Saita, said, “We are proud to be able to hold a world competition in Japan with a form of motor sport that originated here. At the same time, I want to contribute to the expansion of drifting competition all over the world – this is an exciting time for this discipline.” Mr. Isao Saita is also the founder of D1.

As with every motorsport they are involved in, FIA will create the rulebook for the event and will definitely be interesting to see how drifting will work under the blessings of the Federation Internationale De L’Automobile.

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