(NEW JUDGE) ERNIE FIXMER, New FORMULA D JUDGE

[INFO]

Formula DRIFT Announces New Judge;
One of the Original American Drifters, Ernie Fixmer

LONG BEACH, Calif. – July 8, 2008 – Formula DRIFT has selected Ernie Fixmer, one of the original American drifters, as their new judge for the Series. Fixmer will begin his duties at Formula DRIFT Round 4: High Stakes on July 11-12 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“Formula DRIFT would like to welcome Ernie to the judging panel and are confident with our decision,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “Ernie has over 9 years experience with drifting and we look forward to his expertise in elevating the competition in our Series.”

Fixmer first grew his passion for drifting while enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan during the late 90’s. Upon his arrival back to the U.S., Fixmer picked up one of the first major sponsorships of the industry while building his own Nissan 240SX. Fixmer was one of the first Americans to gain a D1 license and continued to hold that license from 2004-2006. He also competed in the Formula DRIFT series in 2004 & 2005. In 2005, Formula DRIFT competitors awarded Fixmer with the “Hardest Working Drifter,” award for his dedication to drifting.

“I am very excited and honored to have been chosen to fulfill this responsibility as a Formula DRIFT judge, and hope that my contributions will help the development of this motorsport, not only in the United States, but internationally,” said Ernie Fixmer, Formula DRIFT judge. “I believe that my experience will help guide my input so that we, as a collective panel of judges, continue to make fair and unbiased decisions.”

Fixmer makes his debut as the new Formula DRIFT judge on July 11-12 for Round 4: High Stakes at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

[Bebop]

I coulda predicted it!!!

Between him and calvin wan, those were the only guys I trusted with the job.

[Its_just_Yukio]

Congrats, Ernie. You did a great job @ NOPI (very fair and honest) and I hope the best for you.

Also, if you're reading this... Let's go KARTING!!!! haha.

Good luck!

[Slapshotnerd]

Congrats Ernie!! Great working with you last year at NOPI, you definitely have the knowledge, driving skill, and respect of your peers to make a positive impact with Formula D. I think you'll be a perfect fit for the series!

PS - Does this mean we'll be eating Ceviche after some of the events?

[Zephyr]

Ernie Fixmer = Epic Win!

[thao]

Congrats Ernie!!

[stedriftward]

Formula D finally got their "Fixmer" back

[J-Rod]

See you in Vegas Ernie welcome to the FD-amily....
Peace,
Jarod

[tyndago]

Hey I know that dude. Congratulations.

[courantcom]

Congratulations! I can't wait for your dedicated passion for the sport to take professional drifting into the future.

[MonkeySlide]

I didn't think they would find a judge more strict than Alex.

I stand corrected!

[akuma S14]

congrats Ernie, very stoked for you! This is the best choice FD could have made by far!

Ernie Fixmer aka "the truth"

[sa-drift.com]

Now THIS is a move in the right direction. He would have been my choice if it was up to me!

Congrats Ernie!

[deadpirate]

congrats ernie

[Hubert Young]

Congrats to you Ernie!

[Tola Chhom]

Absolutely Great Choice

[wesuri]

ernie does a good job judging drifting.

[courantcom]

Originally Posted by wesuri

ernie does a good job judging drifting.

Of course he would! He knows how to drift, and what it takes to drift. If he were to approach a competitor anywhere and drop some advice down to them and tell them that their drift line is no good, THEY would listen and do what Ernie says.

It takes a lot of respect to command that kind of authority. Every judge should have that kind of authority.

[silviaguy]

Well it's about time!!! I remember (this is going way back) I got a ride along with Ernie at SEMA with Ernie and Ken Gushi and I thought Ernie would go places. I am sure due to some bad luck it didn't happen that way. BUT I hope this is part of his up swing and bigger and badder thing are to come! Congrats man.

[tyndago]

Originally Posted by silviaguy

Well it's about time!!! I remember (this is going way back) I got a ride along with Ernie at SEMA with Ernie and Ken Gushi and I thought Ernie would go places. BUT I hope this is part of his up swing and bigger and badder thing are to come! Congrats man.

I was always impressed with Ernie. Go back and watch the first D1 in the US. I still have the picture clear in my mind. Way sideways, lots of smoke on the bank. Ernie at the helm of the Rotura S13.

I know he has this R33 4door Skyline that he has been working on for a while.. just got painted recently.

[wesuri]

Originally Posted by courantcom

Of course he would! He knows how to drift, and what it takes to drift. If he were to approach a competitor anywhere and drop some advice down to them and tell them that their drift line is no good, THEY would listen and do what Ernie says.

It takes a lot of respect to command that kind of authority. Every judge should have that kind of authority.

victor does a good job judging drifting. no one knows this cause he keeps his deepest drifting comments locked up in his head.

[courantcom]

Originally Posted by wesuri

victor does a good job judging drifting. no one knows this cause he keeps his deepest drifting comments locked up in his head.

I can only do a good job judging drifting if wesley can show me where C16 comes from again. ;-)