Now that Rogue Status is sponsoring the Ken Gushi Scion camp and they are a partner sponsor of Formula D they are launching an exclusive Formula D t-shirt only available at Round 1: Long Beach! All you streetwear fans don’t miss a chance to get your hands on this exclusive shirt from Rogue Status. Don’t Trust Anyone!

One of our friends at Source sent us a photo of the Scion tC in shoot from for the Import Tuner cover! We know you have seen some pictures floating around but here she is in all her glory. This was for the Import Tuner cover shoot here, the car is looking good and next week we get to see Ken Gushi in Team Scion Drifting.

The Scion tC is being unveiled to the “public” and media this Thursday just before Formula D Long Beach at Smooth’s in Long Beach.

The Rogue Status blog announced Ken Gushi as the Rogue Status Formula D driver for 2008. You can see the photo of Ken Gushi above wearing a Rogue Status Drift Team t-shirt. Looks like XM Radio is also on board in a big way with Ken Gushi and the Scion RSR team in 2008. Rumors are circulating about the project car that it failed tech at Super Autobacs this weekend and it is possibly being protested by other teams. Hopefully Long Beach in two weeks will shed some light on the project. We cannot wait to this this Scion in action! Good luck this year Ken.

I keep seeing on all the forums and blogs people bashing Formula D for allowing a FWD car (Scion tC) to participate in Formula D in 2008. The Scion tC is a  rumor we broke last month.  Allowing this car into their series seems to have most people thinking it is against the rules. Here is perhaps an answer or just a bigger gray area, the Toyota Avensis (sister model of the Scion tC) since the Scion tC is a North American exclusive comes in an AWD format in the 2.0 Xi model.

This is what the Formula D rulebook currently states:

8.1.1.3 Cars must have been originally designed as either Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD).

I have verified this with some Toyota nuts, friends in Japan, and also the Wikipedia entry on the Toyota Avensis all confirm an AWD edition. Should this be just cause to allow the car into Formula D? Keep in mind that back in 2004 Blake Fuller ran an Acura Integra in the Formula D series, which was before this rule above was added into the rule book. But then again the Acura Integra (Honda Integra Xi 4WD) did exist in Japan holding true to the same idea that would allow the Scion tC into Formula D.

I just was mailed a document from one of my favorite sources before we left out of town and inside was a 10-15 page document laying out the plans for Scion to enter Drifting in 2008. Yes, that is right……Scion is stepping up in a HUGE way in 2008! They are converting a Scion tC into a RWD drifting machine under the flagship of well known RSR. Here is the cover of the Scion Drifting packet.

The current known sponsors of the project are Scion, RSR, Toyo Tires, Enkei Wheels, and Sparco. Here are some other vehicle renderings in the packet.

Now later in the packet they announce a driver, Ken Gushi formally of Ford Racing. Apparently Scion is making some big strides taking away Ken Gushi from Ford. What will this car have in store for 2008? It will be an interesting project to keep your eye on but I feel Scion will do the project justice. Scion has played a huge role in the growth of sport compact and I feel they will make sure their Drifting program goes well. Here is a confirmation on Ken Gushi from the packet.

Don’t miss this car in Formula D for 2008! Rumor has it this car will make the Impot Tuner cover so keep your eye out! I think they should trash Import Tuner and go with Wrecked! Who’s with me?