The Red Bull Drift Shifters are heading to Liverpool on Sunday, 19 August!

RED Bull Drift Shifters have revealed the course that will test the nerve of 12 of the world's best drifters as they battle it out this weekend for a chance to be crowned champion.

The custom track will run through the centre of Liverpool and, at almost 3 times the size of previous Red Bull Drift Shifters events in New Zealand, will be the biggest yet; incorporating both old favourites and exciting new features throughout the track.

To challenge the drivers' ultimate skill, the following features will be positioned throughout the course, designed to test their speed, precision and nerve. These include:-

► The Start Tunnel

Drivers will start their run beneath the City of Liverpool itself, firing out from the Mersey Tunnel, as featured in Fast and Furious 6, and onto the track.

► The Pier Head Wallride

The biggest and fastest wall ride ever featured in a Red Bull Drift Shifters event. At a length of over 80m and the fastest entry speed of any corner on the track, drivers will be trying to slide the rear bumper of their car as close to the wall as possible to trigger the proximity sensors mounted within it.

► The Undertaker

A crowd favourite feature from previous events; drivers drift their vehicle around and underneath a fully functional articulated truck.

►  The Submarine...

A brand new feature in the centre of the track that pays homage to the rich heritage of Liverpool.

► The Georges Dock Wallride...

Sitting at the very end of the track, this tight wall ride requires drivers to manoeuvre their vehicle perfectly or face vehicle demolition. To gain bonus points for hitting all 6 sensors on this wall ride, drivers will have to position their vehicle within 30cm of the wall as they drift the entire way around the almost 270 degree corner.

► The Esso Mobil 1 Finish Box...

Possibly the most important feature on the track, the drivers have to finish their run by drifting their vehicle into the tightest parallel parking spot in the City and be within 30cm of the wall before the clock stops. Drivers cannot afford to miss this obstacle otherwise they face missing out on bonus points and a spot at the top of the leaderboard.

Unlike more traditional drifting events, the course is rigged with advanced sensors which measure drivers on their speed, line, angle and proximity. This technology instantly converts the quality of each drifting performance into a score, removing the need for judges, ensuring enhancing accuracy in scoring.

Each driver is given a limited amount of time to rack up the best score possible and make it back to the finish box before the clock hits zero. Drifting the entire course sideways at high speeds is the fastest way to trip sensors and gain the most points in the time they have. The angle they drift is also important as specific features in the course use the exact angle of the vehicle to score the driver, with big score rewards for getting the car fully sideways, just metres from the crowd.

The course features are arranged in a freestyle format designed to reward drivers for driving it in their own style. Combining their own unique choice of speed, line, angle and proximity into each run, their car becomes a pinball as they manoeuvre the vehicle around the track to trigger sensors and gain the best scores possible whilst giving the crowd the best show possible.

Spectators should come prepared on 19 August 2018 for an adrenaline fuelled event that will test nerves to the max and wow with precision driving like never seen before in the UK.

Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture Tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "Liverpool is no stranger to staging high profile outdoor events and we hope that people understand that there will always be an element of short term disruption associated with these activities. We work hard with our travel partners and the Police to make sure these events do not bring the City to a standstill and effective and clear diversions will be in place, but the advice is for everyone to allow more time for their journey. Hosting Drift Shifters is a huge coup for the City; it's set to attract thousands, provide a welcome boost to our local economy and incredible images of the City are going to be beamed across the world which is invaluable when it comes to positioning Liverpool as a must visit destination to international tourists."

Tickets are now on sale at:- RedBull.Co.UK/Driftshifters.

The event is being organised in partnership with Liverpool City Council and forms part of Liverpool 2018; a year of projects marking a decade since Liverpool's transformational year, as European Capital of Culture back in 2008.

Ticket prices are as follows:-

► Adults = ₤35

► Under 25 = ₤25

Please note when purchasing tickets:- Under 16's must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder, ID checks will be in place at the gates. For safety reasons, no spectators under 5 years old will be allowed entry.

Join in the conversation with:- #RedBullDriftShifters....

If anyone has any specific access requirements when the road closures are in place, they can email Culture Liverpool via:- CultureLiverpool@Liverpool.Gov.UK or call:- 0151 233 2008.

Very special Merseyside Derby kicks off 1st gold medals day at 2018 Boccia World Championships

IT was a clash of the titans when the blues took on the reds for the 1st time this season. But this Merseyside derby was at neither Goodison Park, nor Anfield. In fact, it was a whole different ball game!  Everton's Chief Executive Professor Denise Barrett Baxendale went head to head with Liverpool FC's Chief Executive Peter Moore for a very special guest match to launch the 1st finals day, at the BISFed 2018 Word Boccia Championships.

Arriving to the walk on music Z-Cars and You'll Never Walk Alone, Denise and Peter competed in the very 1st "Boccia derby" to help raise awareness of the disability sport and its competitiveness. In front of a passionate crowd on the show court at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool, the friendly rivals contested a tightly fought match consisting of 4 ends, with Peter eventually running out a 3-1 winner.

The BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships, featuring 190 athleteswas held at in Liverpool and Britain's super human, Paralympic athletes took on the world's best at this thrilling game. Battling it out for 7 world titles, as well as crucially important ranking points ahead of the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020, Boccia demands muscle control and precision and requires the ultimate concentration and skill.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, whose Office invited the Mersey rivals to the tournament, said:- "I'm delighted Everton and Liverpool accepted our invitation to compete at the BISFed 2018 Word Boccia Championships as it demonstrates the City's passion for sport in all its forms. I can only applaud the attitude of both clubs in their commitment to the City's wider sporting community and Denise and Peter in particular were such good sports to support such a prestigious tournament in this way. As an Evertonian, I'm obviously disappointed Denise lost but in my eyes everyone won today; not least all those competing who got a real flavour of the sporting pride and passion this City is world famous for."

Liverpool FC CEO, Peter Moore, said:- "Boccia is a great sport, used frequently during the LFC Foundation's 'Respect for All' accessible sport sessions, so I've had the opportunity to experience the game a couple of times, but playing today against our friends from across Stanley Park to celebrate the World Boccia Championships was a lot of fun. I'm delighted to see major events like this continue to be hosted here and receive a very warm welcome from our City."

Everton CEO, Prof. Denise Barrett-Baxendale said:- "Playing Boccia this morning was really enjoyable and it was an honour to try my hand at the game alongside Peter. It is a game of skill, patience and tactics, but what stood out for me is that it truly is an inclusive sport. Boccia is enjoyed by Everton in the Community participants and forms a part of the disability awareness sessions we host in Schools across Merseyside and was also included in the Everton in the Community Special Olympics which brought SEN Schools from across the City together to celebrate inclusive sport. The competitors at these World Championships are role models and show what can be achieved with hard work, practice and dedication. Liverpool is a great host City for the World Boccia Championships. Liverpool City Council have been working hard to make the City as accessible as possible and was recently voted 1 of the UK's most accessible Cities in the Euan's Guide. The 190 athletes from 33 countries will certainly enjoy a warm scouse welcome during the championships."

Chair of Boccia UK, John Dowson, added:- "The World Championships is our shop window for the sport of Boccia. We are determined to use this world class week of Boccia action to inspire more people to play. It's fantastic that we have the support of this brilliant City which is famous the world over for its passion for sport. We were thrilled to bring these 2 exceptional clubs together in support of Boccia."