Mopar Pulls Out Of Drifting *Updated*

*Update 2* A lot of questions went flying around about the vehicles currently ran by NuFormz.  Mopar informed us that “the vehicles will become team assets, so the managment and the future use is up to them.”

Formula Drift responds to the Mopar/Nuformz Partnership end…

“Formula DRIFT is saddened that the economy has caught up to another company close to Formula DRIFT. Mopar took a big gamble with our start up Series from day one and believed in the sport of drifting. During their partnership with NuFormz Racing and Samuel Hubinette, they amassed the most wins in FD history and 2 championships (2004 & 2006). We look forward to Chrysler’s restructuring and their eventual return to Formula DRIFT. In the meantime, we will work to assist NuFormz Racing to be able to finish off the 2009 season. The NuFormz/Hubinette combination is a world class championship organization, fans and sponsors can count on more success from them in the future.”

– Official Announcement by Formula DRIFT Holdings, LLC

Click the jump for Mopar’s official press release.In a surprising turn of events.  Mopar has pulled out of backing Sam Hubinette and the Nuformz Racing Dodge Viper/Challenger team.  In a post ran on Sam Hubinette’s twitter last night.  He confirmed that “Mopar pulled out of our Drifting program. Crazy times!!”  We tried to reach Mopar’s PR company and was unavailable to get a quote from them at this time.  As Sam posted, these really are “crazy times” for all.  We wish Sam and the Nuformz team good luck wih locating a new sponsor. 

*Update 1* Mopar sponsorship will run through the New Jersey event that is scheduled for June 5-6th. 

Mopar® Announces Plan To End Sponsorship Of NuFormz Racing  
Decision is part of Chrysler LLC’s comprehensive restructuring plan 

Center Line, Mich. — Mopar®, Chrysler LLC’s Parts division, announced it will end its majority sponsorship of the NuFormz Racing team, which competes in the Formula Drift (FD) Series. Mopar’s sponsorship of the NuFormz Racing team will conclude following the June 5–6 event at Wall (N.J.) Speedway.

“As part of Chrysler’s comprehensive restructuring plan to revitalize our business and succeed as a stronger car company, we’re rigorously reviewing all expenditures and making tough business decisions,” said Mike Accavitti, Director of Brand Marketing and Strategy, Chrysler LLC. “The decision to end Team Mopar’s sponsorship of NuFormz Racing was difficult because of our long-term relationship with the team and all of the success we’ve enjoyed competing in Formula Drift.

“We wish the team nothing but the best in the future,” Accavitti added. “At this time, we plan to continue supporting our other racing sponsorships into the foreseeable future.”

NuFormz Racing team owner Shaun Carlson and driver Samuel Hübinette have enjoyed long and illustrious careers competing under the Team Mopar banner. Carlson debuted with Team Mopar beginning in 2002 as a driver in the NHRA Sport Compact division. He went on to pilot the Team Mopar/SRT® Dodge Stratus R/T NHRA Pro Stock car for Don Schumacher Racing during the 2006 season.

Carlson and Hübinette teamed up in the FD Series in 2004 and quickly shot to the top of the emerging new motorsport. Hübinette claimed victory in the first-ever FD event in his Mopar Dodge Viper, maintained by Carlson, and went on to capture three of four 2004 events and the overall championship in the inaugural FD season. Hübinette, with Carlson as team owner, powered to his second FD championship in 2006. Hübinette, owner of a series-high nine career FD wins, also claimed runner-up finishes in the FD point standings in 2005 and 2008.

“I had a great eight-year run as a member of the Team Mopar family, and want to thank the company for all the great memories I’m taking away,” said Carlson. “It’s a tough decision, but given the current economic environment inside and outside of racing, I certainly understand it.

We’re going to work as hard as ever to cap off our success with Team Mopar with a convincing win at The Gauntlet race in early June.”