DETROIT - General Motors today announced that Pontiac would compete in the Formula Drift Series.

The sport of drifting is relatively new to North America. First developed in Japan, drifting combines extreme driving skill with flair and artistry as drivers negotiate a complicated course at high speeds while in a controlled slide. The competition is judged on execution and style rather than speed, similar to skateboarding and freestyle motorcross.

Top U.S. drifting driver Rhys Millen will drive a modified 2004 Pontiac GTO in the new Formula Drift Series sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America. In addition to series events that begin in April, Millen will compete in the D1 Championship event in Irwindale (California) 28th February, 2004.

"The GTO seems almost tailor-made for a sport requiring both pure rear-wheel power and extreme agility," said Myers. "Combine the GTO with perhaps the best drifting driver in the country and it's easy to see why Pontiac is really excited about the possibilities on the Formula Drift circuit in 2004."