2008 USA D1GP cancelled

[ericcastro]

just received this in my email.
pretty lame IMO




D1 GRAND PRIX ANNOUNCES THE CANCELATION OF 2008 POINTS SERIES

TORRANCE, CA (February 10, 2008) - D1 Grand Prix USA has announced the cancellation of 2008 point series events.

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.

It has been formally decided not to hold an event series in the U.S. but the "All Star World Championship" in November at Irwindale speedway is still scheduled to take place.

D1 Grand Prix apologizes for the series cancellation in the U.S. and plans to return the series next year.

Thank you D1 Fans.
###

[240love^_^]

Awww...
That sucks!

[89singlecamnoob]

GAAAAAAAY

seriously, that's no good

[wanganwonder]

lol poor ed johnson

[vodka2]

fanboys owned.

[S13_Nightkid]

wtf. my only reason to visit cali is gone. lol

[Teddy]

Damn, less work for me.

[used240sxparts]

i heard about this... its also because of our economy... alot of drivers are loosing sponsors from what i heard, I heard something that dunlop is done with sponsoring any1. I dont know if that is true or not.

[s13.dark1]

noo!!!! sh!t i was eagrly waiting this next years rounds.. .. o well formula D is going to have alot of new entries

[Suk02Si]

wtf. my only reason to visit cali is gone. lol

They're still going to have their World All Stars event.

[mike_0678]

They're still going to have their World All Stars event.

Its a hell of a world series allstar event when none of the drivers from the U.S. are going to compete. It's like the MLB going to japan to have the world series. "Hey this is the world series......that you can't compete in....because your not in America"

[TheArkitekt]

i assume this includes the exhibition matches like vegas?

[Flipzide]

Its a hell of a world series allstar event when none of the drivers from the U.S. are going to compete. It's like the MLB going to japan to have the world series. "Hey this is the world series......that you can't compete in....because your not in America"

The thing is... US drivers do compete along with driver's from other nations (Malaysia and UK immediately come to mind).

[dorkidori_s13]

damn it...i was hoping to do some hard parking as a vendor with my car there and a booth this year to sell dorkidori shirts....DAMN YOUUUSSS!!!

:P

[ericcastro]

Im just bummed because I prefer the "level" of drift that D1 brings in comparison to FD. It's just more technical.

I always say D1 is like Rallye, and Formula D is like Nascar :)

[sildrift86]

that fukn sucks balls!

[cxlo8331]

Dammit. Very dissapointing. Formula D is a poor sustitute for D1. At least there's the All Star Event. It better be a 2 day event w/ exhibitions on 1 day and competition the next. It should start earlier too. And they should open the gates earlier.
None of this stand in line for TWO HOURS waiting for the gates to open BS.
- BEING ABLE TO WATCH THEM PRACTICE FROM THE GRANDSTANDS IS HALF THE FUN!!!

[ALEXTHESUS*PECT]

i heard about this... its also because of our economy... alot of drivers are loosing sponsors from what i heard, I heard something that dunlop is done with sponsoring any1. I dont know if that is true or not.

plus the fans don't come and support like they used to in 2003-2005. irwindale used to be packed full in the stands, no parking in the parking lot, i mean it was a mad house. peeps showing up 5 hours early to get in line to buy tickets at the door, and parking almost a mile away and walk back to watch.


if it went anywhere else in america it would sell out no problem, but here in so cal the fans are starting to die out. i think this is happening for two reasons:
1. we have more driving events in soc al almost every weekend, so even though we can all appreciate their skill and hard work, alot of us would rather be out driving then sitting and watching!

2. alot of peeps liked drifting in 2003 cuz it was the new cool thing for alot of peeps. some tried it and failed, some just got disinterested and no longer follow the sport. so all in all there is a huge drop in fan presence at the speedway during events.

if there is not fan support why would they go through all the trouble of sending cars and teams over here for 5 days?

[BlueKpS13]

Thats bullshit i was really looking forward to seeing another event in Washington, last year was the first year they were ever in the state it was awesome

[SUPERSTAR]

i heard about this... its also because of our economy... alot of drivers are loosing sponsors from what i heard, I heard something that dunlop is done with sponsoring any1. I dont know if that is true or not.

Not a 100% yet, But they are holding back on sponsoring DRIFTERS or DRIFT events. They were expecting more support and higher unit sales.
So for now most of it is on hold....for DUNLOP.

This sucks!!!!

[andmattsayd]

awwhhh what a bummer!!!!

[worangejuice]

okay WOW, but I still have a question, what the hell happened to Kazaama?

[Flipzide]

okay WOW, but I still have a question, what the hell happened to Kazaama?

From what I've seen from scanning around. It mainly has to do with "politics" within the business. I believe he's in MSC with Orido and Taniguchi now

[Donesyboy]

owwwwwwww.....thats pretty harsh

[sideview_180sx]

if you aren't a competitor don't worry about it. Just Drift/ASB and other events to attend to.

[flclsteve]

when i went to d1 it was PACKED with people i assume they would be making some money at least

[alindeman1989]

O wtf. I have no reason to live in cali now haha.

[hotlavaflow]

Damn well I know I have to go to Cali this year then. This really fkn sucks.

[turboboost12004]

i also hear that the peeps running the show here for d1usa are doing such a crappy job........

[Teddy]

plus the fans don't come and support like they used to in 2003-2005. irwindale used to be packed full in the stands, no parking in the parking lot, i mean it was a mad house. peeps showing up 5 hours early to get in line to buy tickets at the door, and parking almost a mile away and walk back to watch.


if it went anywhere else in america it would sell out no problem, but here in so cal the fans are starting to die out. i think this is happening for two reasons:
1. we have more driving events in soc al almost every weekend, so even though we can all appreciate their skill and hard work, alot of us would rather be out driving then sitting and watching!

2. alot of peeps liked drifting in 2003 cuz it was the new cool thing for alot of peeps. some tried it and failed, some just got disinterested and no longer follow the sport. so all in all there is a huge drop in fan presence at the speedway during events.

if there is not fan support why would they go through all the trouble of sending cars and teams over here for 5 days?

You are spot on IMO. Plus the fact that in 2003, it was a new concept to a lot of people, and in turn it was amazingly impressive. After a few years, drifting the bank of Irwindale at 98mph becomes an expectation, and people lose interest because it is the same thing everytime.

[CKAMC]

I think the whole drift bandwagon is starting to die down a bit.

I know back home they are starting to have a hard time getting people to show up at events... what used to be like 30 people at an event is now down to 10~15.

[kognition]

And thus a vacuum is created, leaving fans pissed and NOPI salivating. Good luck with that 09' return. :coolugh:

[drift freaq]

Fact is D1 here was never much of real points competition compared to the series in Japan. It was pure politics and more exhibition. Plus Irwindale got old. After seeing them at Irwindale is was like ok lets see them on a road course like they do in Japan,like Willow Springs.

Like Alex said a lot of the people figured out they wanted to spend their money going out to Just Drift,Drift Days etc... and doing it themselves rather than just watching.

When I go Japan this spring I will try to catch a D1 event it will be a lot more interesting in my opinion.

[dirtdiggler666]

I think it will be a good thing

[ericcastro]

Agreed with the boredom of the course. I always wonder why they don't put another turn or two in at the end of Irwindale. They have some extra room in the middle there. Something besides a high speed entry and shallow drift.

And I was gonna try and make it to Seattle this season too. I heard the drivers have been saying great things about it. Oh well.

[majuljo]

that is gay because i got to work it last year and had a blast....i guess formula D is what we are going to have to live with for now.

[SWAT Team S14]

yea, this sucks....the d1 event in englishtown,nj was amazing last year & now all we have is formula d at wall speedway (which is nothing more than a small irwindale course, bleh)....o well, i guess the fad is dying off....which is a good thing b/c itll weed out all the posers and wanna-bes.....& that will let all us real drifters drop the stupid "ff3 tokyo drift" stereotype.....thank god!!!

[StaticX27]

i also hear that the peeps running the show here for d1usa are doing such a crappy job........

They're really not. The level of work they've done for the amount of money they get paid is phenomenal in my opinion. You wouldn't find an American doing the job they do for so little money.

Besides, if you've ever worked at an event, you see how hard the event coordinators are working. There's a lot of politics and such that go into place, and also a great deal of culture clash. I wouldn't say they're doing a crappy job. I'd say they're doing a pretty decent job for the circumstances given to them.

[ericcastro]

yea, this sucks....the d1 event in englishtown,nj was amazing last year & now all we have is formula d at wall speedway (which is nothing more than a small irwindale course, bleh)....o well, i guess the fad is dying off....which is a good thing b/c itll weed out all the posers and wanna-bes.....& that will let all us real drifters drop the stupid "ff3 tokyo drift" stereotype.....thank god!!!

The plus side of the fan boys is that they help us fanatics. I dont mind fanboys. They finacially support the cause, which brings more events, more money into the industry, more opertunity for everyone. Plus, since I can drift, they think I am cool :) which feels nice, lol

Without posers and wanna be's, there are alot less people in the stands. And those posers and wanna be's will one day be the hardcore fans like we will.
So I figure it all works for the good. its just to bad "drifting" is fading faster than rollerblading/fruitbooting did. We need those stands full!!! :)

[PRADOgy]

To be honest... I actually dont mind this,

I feel less exposure will keep the scene a lil more real out here in the states.. we will get less hondaboy turned drifter crowd..and our fucking cars will be a little safer in the street..

I didnt even attend 07 D1 cus the vibes just arent the same... (it could just be me)

so when they come once a year.. i think shit would be just that much more awsome .. the more dedicated/real enthusiests crowd will be there..

[lflkajfj12123]

i kind of agree with you

but d1 is the best competition drifting to me

shits intense

[SimpleSexy180]

Plus Irwindale got old. After seeing them at Irwindale is was like ok lets see them on a road course like they do in Japan,like Willow Springs.

Thats exactly how i feel about it.

I rather goto a GT LIVE event like how it was in 04 then just a regular D1 event.

[johngriff]

Really, its all about formula D, and Formula D Pro-AM.

That is where all the real action is.

[deadpirate]

^^ i really hope your serious.


every single time i have been to D1. it seems like the drivers that "win" shouldnt have won, and the guys that lose actually drive better. i personally enjoy formula d way more than D1. Formula D actually cares about the fan and asks for feedback from EVERY event. D1 dosent care.

i was going to have a vendor booth at d1 over a year ago. until they told me the price for a 10x10 booth space. 1200 bucks. GTFO

maybe formula D will shine likes it supposed to now.

and dunlop is still sponsoring people. but they did cut back a bit.

[ericcastro]

If you have ever sat in a Formula D drivers meeting and listened to what they say in comparison to D1GP, there is no comparison.

D1GP is better and expects ALOT more out of the drivers. D1GP is no BS and no second chances. The slightest fuckup and you loose points. Drivers use so many more techniques to throw their chasers off. Formula D is just getting there. Kinda like the gushie using the ebrake initiation on the sonoma wall last year on Rhys. its like that the whole time. You have to be on top of your game!!!!


A typical Formula D drivers meeting goes,...
".....and we aren't so concerned about your line and the clipping point here, as we are to how fast your going......."
Formula D is actually judged for the first time attenders and fanbois that dont know the technical side. So they want fast entry speed and tire smoke. not angle, tight tandems, line, clipping point, deduction for steering adjustments, etc...



Thats why I will miss D1GP this year. Its drifting at its best !!!

[stinky_180]

interesting... i have yet to go to a d1 event...

[slideways2004]

From what I've seen from scanning around. It mainly has to do with "politics" within the business. I believe he's in MSC with Orido and Taniguchi now

sucks for the msc guys that get those 3 to comepete against. that is some stiff competition. isn't FD supposed to be doing something with MSC?

[burnsauto]

boo hoo...cry me a river, bla bla bla bla bla. (pissy mood.)

[deadpirate]

A typical Formula D drivers meeting goes,...
".....and we aren't so concerned about your line and the clipping point here, as we are to how fast your going......."
Formula D is actually judged for the first time attenders and fanbois that dont know the technical side. So they want fast entry speed and tire smoke. not angle, tight tandems, line, clipping point, deduction for steering adjustments, etc...



are you KIDDING ME??/
i have sat in on many drivers meetings, they never say they care just about speed and angle, they have clipping points for a reason


have you sat in at a d1 meeting??

more specifically, im talking about the meeting all the j-land drivers got pulled into when JR won the allstar championship for the first time.

you know, the one where all the j dudes were told they better not ever drive like shit again or NONE of them will drive for the rest of their lives??

yea, thats a GOOD series to support.

D1 is almost as scripted as the WWF.

[burnsauto]

drifting was started for fun, i should continue to be that. dont hate on someone because they didnt hit a clipping point at a certain angle...thats just being a snob. if you can do better...fine...do it. but dont expect everyone to like the way YOU drive either.

IMO - both events are cool, and alot of fun to go to. you get to meet alot of really cool people, see some amazing driving, and look at sweet cars/girls. but d1 falls off when it comes to the "personal touch" ...going to d1 is like going to a five star hospital. its very nice and has a GREAT gift shop, but its still just a hospital..and is a little impersonal and a little cold. FormulaD ...i can compare to your local doctors office you've been going to for years. yeah..he may not have the most up to date equipment, and doesnt drive a new A8 every two years, but you feel very comfortable and relaxed going there.

[sijia10358]

aww man...no more stickers..no more free t-shirts!!!

[ericcastro]

are you KIDDING ME??/
i have sat in on many drivers meetings, they never say they care just about speed and angle, they have clipping points for a reason

I have sat in many a meeting for the last two years where they tell the Formula D drivers they are more interested in their entry speed on the big wall than getting a early initiation or how tight they are running. They also tell them that they are looking for more tire smoke than angle.
Those are all things tailored to the american fan and not made to push the drivers skill to the limit.

And yes, JR did beat them . And its shaming and embaressing and they better NOT expect to ever drive again if they let that happen!!!! If they ever want to save face, then they better win every one of the D1GP events !!!!!
I think you misunderstood what that meeting was about. It was about the Japanese drivers loosing their own compitition, at their own sport, at something they invented, and they have a 30 year history in.
Its like the USA loosing a baseball game in 1945 to a Japanese team. If you ever wanna pick that bat up again, you better not let that happen!!


drifting was started for fun, i should continue to be that. wrong. it was started in the touge by people racing for pride and face. It also started on the race course as a technique to maintain speed and RPM's through a corner. East Oakland sideshow's were started for fun.

dont hate on someone because they didnt hit a clipping point at a certain angle...thats just being a snob. No, thats called expecting a professional athlete to do their job. You expect a wide receiver to catch a football in the endzone when he's wide open, right?

if you can do better...fine...do it. but dont expect everyone to like the way YOU drive either. ??? I like them to hit the clipping points with maximum angle. That is drifting. sacrificing the technique for a car that can go faster or puts up smoke is just getting lazy.


but d1 falls off when it comes to the "personal touch" .....and is a little impersonal and a little cold.
A large amount of the drivers suffer from the language barrier for starters. then there is the matter of them being Japanese, which is a completely different culture. The way a Japanese man acts in public is VERY different than a American. If you actually spoke to some of the Japanese drivers, they are extremely nice and so happy to be here drifting. they warm up as soon as you take a picture and start a conversation. Especially if you know who they are. they are foriners in a foren land, and barely understand the language.
sorry they didn't head nod you and dap your homie out.



Don't feel like listening to anymore opinions about the D1GP vs. Formula D. You can start your own thread if you want that. just thought I would share something that was emailed to me from D1.

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