Tony Angelo

Career

Angelo began building and modifying his own cars as a teenager in his hometown of Doylestown, PA. In the late 90s, Angelo was inspired to start drifting by Japanese videos and magazines. He and friend and future pro-driver Chris Forsberg soon helped to start East Coast grassroots drifting events which quickly took off.

In 2003, Angelo personally gained national exposure in an article in Wired Magazine at the same time that drifting was gaining massive popularity. At this time doors began to open for Angelo to race in the pro series.

Angelo began racing professionally in 2004 in Formula Drift’s first year. He was quickly seen as a force on the track. In 2005, Angelo earned his D1 license by placing first in a national driver’s search.

After years in FD as a serious competitor, Angelo took a break from driving professionally in the U.S. in 2009 and became a judge for Formula Drift. Angelo is credited with having majorly changed FD judging and scoring format for the better during this time.

Angelo returned to the driver’s seat in 2012 for Scion Racing in his 2009 Scion tC.

In 2013, Angelo purchased a salvage Scion FR-S that had been damaged during Hurricane Sandy. In just ten weeks, he and his TAngelo Racing team transformed the car into his 750 hp racecar.

Angelo also does stunt work, having driven in ads for Audi, Nissan and Chevrolet.

Angelo is the founder and president of Drift Alliance, based out of Englishtown, New Jersey. He is also a member of the Blood Masters team. Angelo often drifts his Lexus SC 300 missile car at grassroots events alongside amateur drivers at the Englishtown track where his career started.

Angelo was a host on the Motor Trend show Hot Rod Garage, which he left after six seasons.

Achievements

President of Drift Alliance

Multiple Formula Drift top 10 and top 8 finished

2013 FD Palm Beach Top 16

2013 FD Palm Beach Top FR-S qualifier

2013 Drift Week Triple Crown at Pikes Peak - 3rd Place

2012 FD Palm Beach Top Scion qualifier

2012 FD Palm Beach Top 4-cylinder qualifier

2012 Top 32 Qualifier all Formula Drift events

2010 FX Open Belarus - 5th Place

3 Formula Drift Team Drift wins

1st place D1 driver’s search

Fastest qualifier record on fastest FD track, Evergreen Speedway