Formula Drift: Title Fight - Irwindale 2011

[phoenixheat_2002]

I realize there is another FD Irwindale thread but didn't want to thread jack. Mods, feel free to merge my stuff into that thread if you need to.

Well, I headed out Formulad D this weekend. It was an AMAZING time. Hands down the most exciting drift event I've ever been to. There were so many people and was so much going on. I also got to meet Matt Farah of The Car Show and The Smoking Tire which was pretty rad.

Well, here are a couple pics, enjoy.

Ken Gushi in his Scion TC
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v17/p392249923-5.jpg

Ryan Tuerck in the Redbull Camaro
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p389509536-5.jpg

Sam Hubinette in the Discount Tires Dodge Charger
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v26/p503234580-5.jpg

Not really sure who the driver of this car is, but he was pretty damn good. He was running a supercharged VQ engine in this S13. He laid down TONS of smoke with it too.
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v14/p67949436-5.jpg

Walker Wilkerson with a little wall tap.
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v13/p113694807-5.jpg

Tyler McQuarrie leading Cyrus Martinez
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v31/p364764374-5.jpg

Another driver that I don't know. He was doing well up until this point where he hit the inside wall pretty hard.
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v28/p59165532-5.jpg

Chris Forsberg and D-Mac gettin down on the big bank.
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v27/p918615068-5.jpg

Matt Powers taking the high line.
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v33/p655619129-5.jpg

JTP in the Falken Tires Mustang. The championship went down to the wire with JTP, Dai, Forsberg, and D-Mac. Needless to say, it was a super dramatic finish to the season.
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v30/p101987321-5.jpg

Rhys "Mad Skills" Millen. He actually threw a rod at Thursday's practice session and was almost unable to qualify on Friday. However, his guys worked their asses off and swapped in the engine from the Hyundai Pikes Peak car. This thing was absolutely insane. Super fast and poured out TONS of smoke.
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v30/p21489108-5.jpg

Vaugh Gitten JR in the Monster Energy Ford Mustang
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v29/p71381025-5.jpg

Kyle Mohan in a 3 rotor turbocharged RX-8. This car sounds like the world is ending. it backfires like a machine gun haha.
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v28/p428812385-5.jpg

Daijiro Yoshihara the 2011 Formula D champion in his S13. This car actually has a full corvette drivetrain. Yes, that's right.. not just the engine, but the rear transmission too. Supposedly they did this to get a better weight distribution. It's obviously paid off.
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v31/p894924620-5.jpg

[mikerbike]

Can a Corvette transaxle fit in an S13 subframe?

[phoenixheat_2002]

Can a Corvette transaxle fit in an S13 subframe?

well damn, looks like I'm mistaken. Guess i should research what I'm told before posting it.

http://photos.motoiq.com/MotoIQ/Features/Dais-new-ride/rear-suspension/822035778_pa6BG-L.jpg

[vas570sx]

^ im pretty sure thats a quick change rear end, not a corvette transaxle.

[phoenixheat_2002]

^ im pretty sure thats a quick change rear end, not a corvette transaxle.


no shit...

[Banegraphix]

the yellow car was Robbie Nashida

[Luscious]

Man, I definitely need a media pass for next season if I want beautiful shots like the ones that you took, haha.

By the way, what camera were you using?

[phoenixheat_2002]

Man, I definitely need a media pass for next season if I want beautiful shots like the ones that you took, haha.

By the way, what camera were you using?

Yeah, being media is great. Sadly, FD will be tightening up. There are WAY too many people applying and getting approved.

These were all shot with a 7D and a 70-200mm f4L. I thought about renting a gangster 300mm f2.8L but didn't want to spend the money. Glad i didn't too. Seeing the few people that had them, lug them around the track... no thanks.

[Luscious]

Yeah, being media is great. Sadly, FD will be tightening up. There are WAY too many people applying and getting approved.

These were all shot with a 7D and a 70-200mm f4L. I thought about renting a gangster 300mm f2.8L but didn't want to spend the money. Glad i didn't too. Seeing the few people that had them, lug them around the track... no thanks.

Nice, I'm actually considering getting a 7D. Either that or D7000.

I actually used a 400mm f4.5 because I was in the bleachers, a million miles away from the action, haha.

[driveway ate my lip]

Phoenixheat_2002, I totally agree with you on too many people getting approved. I was shooting top 8 next to this girl shooting in auto and with flash and asking the photographer next to her how to get motion blur in her pics -_-

GREAT pics by the way!

[phoenixheat_2002]

Nice, I'm actually considering getting a 7D. Either that or D7000.

I actually used a 400mm f4.5 because I was in the bleachers, a million miles away from the action, haha.

I shot FD Long Beach with a D7000 , a 17-55mm f2.8 and a 70-200 f2.8. I prefer the button layout on the Nikon, but the IQ with the Canon is just plain better imo. You can compare the two events on my website.


Phoenixheat_2002, I totally agree with you on too many people getting approved. I was shooting top 8 next to this girl shooting in auto and with flash and asking the photographer next to her how to get motion blur in her pics -_-

GREAT pics by the way!

thanks, and yes... too many Xti/kit lens shooters. :duh:

[vas570sx]

no shit...

tuff guy.. thats a challenger too, not a charger

[phoenixheat_2002]

tuff guy.. thats a challenger too, not a charger

whoops, sure is. ohh well, either enjoy the pics and get over it, or just get over it.

[vas570sx]

no heat man, i was just clarifying. i didn't mean to disrupt your thread. Your pics are real good btw.

[phoenixheat_2002]

glad you guys enjoy the coverage!
here's some more!
They call this "the Drift Limo" and it... is.. bad ASS!
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v33/p712849978-5.jpg

I think this guy was from Thailand (might be wrong on that)
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v27/p738211122-5.jpg

Ken Gushi coming around the last corner.
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v21/p539040165-5.jpg

I forget the name of this driver as well. I know he's an older gentleman. He also made the video with the drifting motorcycle if that rings any bells (he was driving the RX7).
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v31/p947676979-5.jpg

Conrad Grunewald flying past the front straight clipping ON the throttle like a motherfuckin BOSS!
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v27/p572063415-5.jpg

Dai coming around the last corner.
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v32/p700164391-5.jpg

Dai on the big bank
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v31/p60998890-5.jpg

Toshiki Yoshioka leading Conrad through the big bank
http://purestreetphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v28/p656808104-5.jpg