D1 Grand Prix officials announced February 10 that the 2008 D1 Grand Prix USA Season has been canceled due to scheduling conflicts with the D1GP Japan series.

“Due to issues and timing from the Japan series, the D1 Grand Prix USA series is being cancelled for the 2008 year. After a successful championship event last November at Irwindale Speedway, we vigorously attempted to launch the 2008 U.S. series but have been unable to due to Japan’s delay on decisions and their focus on the Japan series. Our goal is to continue elevating and expanding the drift culture to the world. But at this time the official word from Japan is to focus on the Japan series for 2008. D1 Grand Prix apologizes for the series cancellation in the U.S. and plans to return the series next year” – D1 Grand Prix.

Unfortunately, this is not the first scheduling conflict D1GP has faced in North America. Last year in 2007, the D1 Grand Prix USA season saw several cancellations including the season opener (Read More).

Even though the 2008 season is canceled, D1 Grand Prix is expected to produce the “All Star World Championship” drift event in November at Irwindale Speedway. Last year this event brought the best US and Japanese drifters together for an exciting competition in which Vaughn Gittin Jr. took first place. Let’s hope Japan’s number one drifting event comes back to North America.