Woooooooo HOooooooo!!!! D1 was great!!!!

[nightwalker]

OK, fackin with you guys. Just got up cause I gotta haul my ass to my friend's house, cause he wants to leave super early. Will be in L.A. in about 8 hours or so. Won't be back on a computer for another 3 days. Then this thread will be for real. In the mean time, those who get back first can let the people who didn't get to go how much fun they had. That and you can watch all the JDM stickers pop up on e-gay! Yeah! Everyone's trying to sell the same stickers!!!!

See you guys in approximately 80 hours. Countdown NOW!! :bigok:

[Danio]

Oh my gosh it was awesome!

[MannyG]

Man I had a great time! The drivers blew my mind!

[s0ldats]

d1 OWNED. the pontiac GTO WAS ON FIRE!

[Bbandit]

post pic guys.. cmon dont leave the rest of us dry

[Bumish1]

hahaha hasnt even started yet and people are asking for pics. im going SATURDAY YEAE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! already have the tickets and am waking up REALY EARLY!

[DRFT]

hmm...i thought it was in arizona, race wars?

[ultraprince]

actually my friend at 360 video did say he just got back from the practice. he said that already was pretty fun.

[Dousan_PG]

practice/prequal was NUTS i was told, too bad i had work, but a bunch of friends gav me the low down....a painful day to say the least!!

[fliprayzin240sx]

FUCK my boy fuckin called me up....and all i could hear was tires screeching. I told him he better have some footage or imma shove my foot up his ass.

[holisticbeatz]

Kei Office driver won.. and one of the judges owns Kei Office..

[TheSnail]

I love Ebay... Watch your rear, you'll be in gay people territory.

[ultraprince]

Driving back now. D1 was tiring. Not to mention we had to leave at 5 in the morning with a hangover. Good thing we had inner track passes =) I love my job. Those were the best seats in the house.

[initial s14]

the most love goes to ........" we are turning D1-USA as our competion round 1"......THAT MEANS IRWINDALE, CA is part of D1 now !!

[Pepperoni]

It was a lot of fun :) the Skyline sounded like a freakin jet...and the white RX7 was hella loud :rawk:

too bad the S14 with the KA-T didn't really compete...somethin went wrong with the engine

[srheaven]

The most amazing drift event ever to happen period...the reaction of the judges during the final rounds was clear evidence that this was truly unreal stuff. Kazama deserved to win, not to say that Taniguchi, Kumakubo, Tanaka, Nomuken, or even Ryuji Miki could have too. It's so hard when all of these guys have such gnarly sacks and are going all out into the hairpin. Kazama's skill in the beginning bowl section was great and really made him stand out. Kumakubo was nuts when he was trailing in the "suiso" style as he was on everyone's ass that was against him. One thing I thought was interesting was that Rhys Millen had no chance when he up against a really skilled Japanese D1 driver like Ryuji Miki...when Miki was leading the suiso, he had so much more entry speed than Millen and it kinda showed that some of the Japanese drivers truly have a banzai attitude towards drifting as they go all out no matter if there's a concrete barrier just inches away. For me standouts besides the heavies were Ken Maeda, Sam Hubinette, and Gen Terasaki. Maeda and Terasaki consistently held amazing lines through the course and it made their drifts look so smooth. I don't think anyone knew how good Atsushi Kuroi was. This guy killed it throughout the competition and to me proved himself to be up there with all the best Japanese drivers. Too bad for Ernie with the engine problems as there was so much excitement over whether or not he could challenge the Japanese drivers. Props to Alex Pfieffer for making it to the second round along with Sam Hubinette who was having fun with the retainer wall all day. From what I heard Sam Hubinette turned heads and will be getting some nice sponsor support very soon. I must say though that Taniguchi's three runs in round one where he scored perfect 100's on each was probably the best solo drifting i've ever seen...simply amazing. Major props to Dai Yoshihara as he was pushing it too even though he crashed really bad...he showed he has balls with serious speed and banzai style. I think I'm babbling already cause i'm tired and sunburned...I think everyone had a good time and I must say even though three of the best in world are sponsored by APC, drifting is in good hands and what the future holds will be interesting as more companies get involved and the tire technology and suspension tuning gets better and more refined. There are serious players in America motorsports interested in drifitng and I guess we'll just have to see what happens next. =)

**one more time! one more time!**

[Doriftomodachi]

S15's are AWESOME!!! I loved it when they clutch kicked and started smoking their tires early on. Reminded me of a fighter jet on final approach on a bombing run. To all of you that didn't make it: Y'ALL MISSED OUT ;)

[Danio]

I can't believe how ignorant ppl were. Booing at Rhys just for driving a domestic? It's embarrassing that the announcer had to bring some sense to the crowd to make them stop booing at Rhys, who was clearly doing a great job handling that GTO. And all that "ONE MORE TIME!" crap... The judges shouldn't have gave in to or encouranged that stuff when the decisions were so obvious. I mean, this is a real competition, right?

But in any case, I had a great time. =) And I'm glad they didn't have that obnoxiously loud hip-hop during every break like last August. This has got to be the most interesting motorsport because, well, of the nature of drifting, and because the drivers are all so unique!

[sideviewcivic]

after getting up a 5 to be in a 2hour line to get in. it was worth it. minor update: ernie,ken gushi both fell out cuz there trannies blew, i spoke to ernie and he sed on the initial practice run he lost 2 gears, while gushi i believe lost final drive gear (of all the bad luck to happen now). Rhys Millen sed the pontiac backing will definately cause more domestic makers to look into drifting and more rear-drive cars. He continued to explain to me his techniques on the irwindale track would play in and out. meaning his long history of rally sliding...and his speedy experience in drifting in a rwd car. he is hyped about the U.S. drift nationals. Hubinette blew me away bringing the supra so close to the wall consistently. you dont even get to witness that on the option videos, absolutely astounding. Every competitor had an unreal aurora about them. viewing them in action then rite after goin up and talking with them there openess to speak with the fans.

Now for the dumb shit::: all the hip-hop natured people out there wearing the sponsor hats like its a team. and they prolly dont even own any of there products. the repeating from terrance on the mic about how cheap and inexpensive 240s and corollas are.of course the ppl booing Rhys. the thing i heard which made me realize just how dumb americans can be a spectator was arguing with his brother about ken nomura's skyline. "skyline isnt nissan, its just skyline" "the 4-door is just a 4-door 240" :rl:

[Pepperoni]

Great write up srheaven!


And all that "ONE MORE TIME!" crap... The judges shouldn't have gave in to or encouranged that stuff when the decisions were so obvious. I mean, this is a real competition, right?

Yeah, I guess if they really wanted to keep it strict, but don't tell me you DIDNT want to see em drifting again :) some match ups were pretty intense! The judges probably already made their decision and just made em race again for the fun of it....i think :P

[s0ldats]

event was good. the boo`ing guys should've been lynched. umm i dont' remember alcohol last year... thus cutting down on the drunk people. there were signs in the stands that said no smoking yet everyone was smoking. so it could've used more organization.

besides those minor life threatening things, i had SO MUCH FUN at d1 talking to the drivers, getting pictures and autographs, and watching my favorite drivers and cars RIP up the track etc.

ps: aaron (dousan) if you read this, i know i've told you already, PAINT ROCKS!!! *drools at sparkles*

[KA24DESOneThree]

D1 was the most splendiferous event in the history of the world. (Dave Chappelle show, anyone?)

I sat in the far seating area, not the grandstand. From there, you could really see exactly how close the cars were getting to the wall, and how much their lines were off... until your view was obstructed by people.

Nomuken's Skyline had this incredible sound, and to see a sedan drift that well, with such big angles, was beyond awesome.

Seeing Rhys Millen do so well in what was formerly a big, heavy domestic was a breath of fresh air. It marks the coming of an age, an age in which people like Bob Lutz bring American companies around to the cutting edge of performance. People in the crowd who booed probably felt pretty damn stupid as Millen advanced. Bravo Pontiac for being the first Americans to jump in with a factory-sponsored car.

Kazama deserved the win with driving that was second-to-none. His angle and speed were great in the finals. Ueo could've given him a run for his money if his alignment wasn't screwed up.

Whining: The cars that were "showing" right behind the stands needed to turn down their music. Their thumping was distracting enough to sometimes not be able to understand the announcers. I laughed at the silver Galant, which was underprepped for any kind of show and looked like it'd be at home cruising Main street for 14-year-old girls. I didn't like the guy who stood up and yelled at some other guy because the other guy told him to sit down because he was blocking his view. It's people like him who make drift events less entertaining. And why did Ueno have to have mechanical trouble? I love his Soarer and would've been very excited if he had competed.

Other than that, D1 was a rare treat. It was definitely worth taking off work and waking up early for. I am absolutely hooked on drifting now.

[doriftokouki]

D1 was great, out of all the U.S. drivers Sam in the supra was doing the best in my opinion, his skill was amazing. Kazama deserved that win, in tandem he got so close to each of the drivers he was up against, putting enormous pressure on each of them, and he made tons of smoke coming around the first sweeper. The event was really good, Irwindale is getting way to small for that many people though, I think they should move it to maybe fontana or something where there is more seating and parking, the grandstands were filled and people on the infield had to clutter upon the fences to see. Other then being crowded this was such a good event, what made my day was when Tarzan drifted the Viper, in the beggining on the sweeper he started all the way from when the turn starts and drifted the entire bend, with smoke pouring out behind the car. Everything was really exciting, the only thing that got out of hand was the *one more time* when there is a really tight match between two cars its appropriate sometimes, but the crowd wanted to see *one more time* when there was already an obvious winner, which probably got some of the drivers upset. Tanaguchi's 100 point solo runs in the beggining were the $h*t.

-Nick

[rps13sh]

It was a lot of fun :) the Skyline sounded like a freakin jet...and the white RX7 was hella loud :rawk:

too bad the S14 with the KA-T didn't really compete...somethin went wrong with the engine

black s14 kouki with te-37's? AI stage 3 turbo T04?

[doriftokouki]

My Hero & the Viper :wavey: and some other pictures from D1

[ciGARRETTsRbad4u]

what happened to ueo? suspension problems or something like that? i was hoping that he would do better. anyway did anyone notice that a couple of the cars were equiped with nos? i wonder if they used it.... they orange corolla had either a dvd player screen or a navigation system in the dash, full interior and a amp in the back. kind of alot of luxury for a race car dont you think? did anyone buy a drift association dvd? i hear that its supposed to be really good. i feel sorry for everyone that crashed in qualifying, it would have been cool to see a MR d1 car

[xkimcheekidx]

i missed it :cry: but the pics make me :D

[citizen]

I was hoping that they would have changed the layout of the track a little. They left a large portion of the infield unutilized. As for alchohol, it sometimes can be a good thing, i know at least one driver that was probably drunk~

[Sanchi]

Yup D1 kick butt!! im happy i had my VIP tickets!! you get tire bits all in your hair and u get to take it home!!! i think me and all my friends collected enough tire bits to make our own tires!!!! Well thats how close we were to the action!!! when they slam into the wall we felt the impact and not to mention the parts flying everywhere!!! We were so close we could almost touch the cars as they drifted by!! Just seeing how close they were to the wall sometimes and how close they were to us!!! litrally like 2 feet away from our heads!! drifting at super speeds it was amazing!!! they only problem is they just had to sell more VIP tickets then there was room. Standing in the mud was bad enough but finding a spot to watch was horible for those they didnt wait 30 minuts ahead of time for every event!! Well i had the best seat at the event and im not complaning!! All the smoke in your eyes and tire bits in your mouth as you watched in astonishment with eyes wide and mouth open!! SHeet was insane!!! Would have to say best event ive ever been to!! They had the car show (nothing spectaclar) the Vendors are crazy, and the drifting is just in a leage of its own watching it LIVE!! Post pic's as soon as i find out how, or wait for it to be up on my homepage!! VIP Pic's comeing up soon!!

[seiyess]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pepperoni
It was a lot of fun the Skyline sounded like a freakin jet...and the white RX7 was hella loud

too bad the S14 with the KA-T didn't really compete...somethin went wrong with the engine

Quote:
black s14 kouki with te-37's? AI stage 3 turbo T04?



that was S14 zenki white, tein sponsored car.... left early.. some problem... with engine??? i was so happy when they said it was KA.. but KA didn't make it... through... :(

[KiDyNomiTe]

Fun tmes when you have a friend who speaks Japanese :)

Sucks the 350Z with SR didn't qualify, it was going nuts in the practice session the day before. Didn't see all of the qualifications to see why he didnt qualify. But they were having hella fun the day before :)

[Pepperoni]

that was S14 zenki white, tein sponsored car.... left early.. some problem... with engine??? i was so happy when they said it was KA.. but KA didn't make it... through... :(

Yup white S14 tein sponsored... it had 350HP. Last year's D1, it had engine (?) problems as well which prevented Shingo Murao from competing last year :( hopefully next year everything will be all right

[Dousan_PG]

Tanaka should have one
nomuken understeered yet advanced
judges (keiichi and such) asked if you want to see it one more time when they person they wanted ot win didnt do as well (example: imamura) and overall it was pretty week
tanaka had some of the best runs during the day. his speeds, angles, entry and exits as well as lines were by far some of the best
i was pleased to see suenaga, fukuda, miki and tanaka do so well.

it was cool to watch Suenaga put the PINK GODZIRA sticker on his car. :)
im glad he brought his s13! car is hot. the stickers are soooo rad

[nightwalker]

haha, I'm back to jack my own thread. D1 is gay! it sucked. It's all rigged, it's like WWF! hahaha. J/K, I had a lot of fun, and so did all my friends. Hope to do it again next year, but not trying to caravan too many people together. I went with 20 something close friends. We all ended up getting lost most of the time, and causeing more headache than was needed. Next year, I'm working out an itenerary!! I had a blast. Sucks for the people who didn't go. Anyone want to buy some srickers? haha, just kidding again.

[Dutchmalmiss]

here's only one good pic of the beautiful scenery i took with a digicam. the rest i have on tape.....