Formula DRIFT ( @formuladrift ) is entering one of the most transformative chapters in its history.In this Race Industry Week by EPARTRADE interview, Ryan Sage—founder and President of Formula DRIFT—takes viewers inside the most ambitious season the championship has ever undertaken, including the emotional departure from Irwindale Speedway, the massive build of a brand-new Downtown Long Beach street course, and a bold 2026 calendar overhaul that reshapes the future of professional drifting.🏁 Key Topics Covered:• Why Formula DRIFT left Irwindale Speedway after decades of history• The unprecedented challenge of building a street course from scratch in Long Beach• City partnerships, infrastructure, safety systems & financial risk• How the Long Beach course delivered next-level tandem drifting• Attendance growth and validation of drifting in a major urban center• Formula DRIFT’s new relationship with the City of Long Beach and the Mayor’s Office• The most aggressive schedule change in FD history for 2026• New venues: Stafford Speedway, Indianapolis Raceway Park & Las Vegas Motor Speedway• Why permanent venues for drifting are increasingly rare• The closure of E-Town and how it forced rapid adaptation• Formula DRIFT’s shift toward ownership of production assets and infrastructure• Leadership, legacy, and building a sustainable future for the championshipSage also reflects on the personal and professional weight of the last year—balancing global growth, organizational independence, and life as a new father—while staying focused on protecting the identity that makes Formula DRIFT unique.As Sage explains:“Drifting was never considered when American racetracks were designed. Everything we do has to be intentional—and creative.”This conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Formula DRIFT is not just adapting to change—but actively shaping its future across cities, venues, and generations of fans.#FormulaDRIFT #Drifting#RyanSage #LongBeach#RaceIndustryWeek #EPARTRADE#Motorsports #StreetCourse#DriftLife