Yoshihara takes 2013 Formula D Season Opener

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Photo 1/14 | Daijiro Yoshihara in his Discount Tire/ Falken Tire Nissan S13 at Formula Drift Long Beach

The 10th season of Formula Drift got officially underway last weekend at the streets of Long Beach, and once again the popular drifting event was a sellout. Because let's face it, there's nothing more exciting than high horsepower cars sliding inches away from a wall with a cloud of smoke trailing behind.

Despite the odd-for-California cloudy and cool weather during Saturday's main event, thousands of Formula D faithful flocked between the vendor village, the Slammed Society Car Show, and the tire-shredding action on the track.

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Photo 2/14 | Justin Pawlak hitting the wall at Formula Drift Long Beach.

Formula Drift veteran and number one qualifier Daijiro Yoshihara piloted the America's Tire/Falken Tire Nissan S13 to the number one spot on the podium. In fact, all three podium spots were owned by ten year veterans and past champions of the series.

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Photo 6/14 | Daijiro Yoshihara at the vendor village during Formula Drift Long Beach

Vaughn Gittin, Jr., the 2010 champ, managed second behind the wheel of his Monster Energy/Nitto Tire Ford Mustang, with Chris Forsberg who won the 2009 championship, placing third in the NOS Energy Drink/Hankook Nissan 370Z. For more information on upcoming events check out www.formuladrift.com