Mister.E

I like his hair. It's amazing!


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turboshoebox

Even as a jdm guy formula d has all american-ed him out. Monster, the achilies tires, the lack of car style etc.

LockOn!

Still more fun to watch then a sideways drag race money fight sponsored by fuckface energy drink

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Russ

Basically this

FINAL BOUT TRIGGER WARNING
Since you asked, here's my personal opinion on what's wrong with Final Bout...and maybe I'm just an old, bitter hater...but it always seems like Final Bout is a bunch of internet superheros looking for an excuse to publicly bro out out in there admittedly awesome looking cars with lackluster driving while simultaneously hating on people who didn't fit inside their very narrow preconception of what "drifting" is about. From what I've seen on various social media platforms, all of this elitism is in the name of preserving what they believe the true Japanese spirit and style of drifting is about. Basically, if your car sucks ass, you don't deserve to be here so GTFO. Ironically, this is actually the most American way you could handle this situation and in no way reflects my first hand experiences with drifting in Japan. During my time in Japan, I have never once been told my car is shitty or that I couldn't drive alongside someone. It is a welcoming community. Literally no one cares as long as you don't damage the track, disrespect someone else's car (if driving with random people), or do anything to detract from people's seat time. It is a fallacy to say Final Bout is the true definition of drifting.


Also everyone should know I have never attended a single FB event. I am basing my opinion completely off the over-hyped media coverage of these events. I wouldn't be surprised if I changed my mind after attending one (if I could get in). Other than the attitudes of a I described above, FB looks like an awesome. I do believe the people that think that way are in the minority.

Basically, FD and FB are apples and oranges. Don't compare them. One is about competition, pushing the limits of the sport, and money while one is a fashion show/party with your best buds. I can respect both but to say one is real drifting and the other is not is ignorant.

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rawgarage

This exactly why... you hating...

Nissansota240

First part is spot on, last part is a crock of shit.

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bigs

And that right there explains it all.

Elaborate on why you consider the driving "lackluster." Your view of "good driving" is so polluted by what you've seen in Formula Drift. Take a step back from this thread and ask yourself, "what makes driving good?" Seriously, let me know what you think. It's a highly subjective matter, but I think you'll still get the point i'm making.

Yes, there are some drivers that are better than others. If that is all you're focusing on, then you're missing PART of the point of Final Bout. It's not solely about car styling, and it's not solely about driving. Final Bout represents a rich profusion of what the majority of drift events/organizations in America have left behind. It's not about this idea of STYLE, which is turning into a marketing ploy for overnight blogs and "companies." It's not about INTERNET FAME. It's the evolution of a subculture in the U.S.

There is a clear and obvious thing happening here. There are people that love Final Bout, and hate Formula Drift. There are people that love Formula Drift, and don't understand Final Bout. That's fine. Unfortunately, in America, we have to exercise a selection process to maintain and promote the "grassroots" culture. There is something to be said about a LARGE group of drivers that feel so strongly about a certain culture, and will stop at nothing to maintain it.

Don't attribute the evolution of social media to the success of Final Bout and its drivers.

Nowhere along the line has it ever been about a car "sucking ass" or telling people to "GTFO." America is not Japan. America has to come up with events like Final Bout to preserve and promote a certain aspect of drifting. People like to blow up the idea of a selection process for a drift event into something it is not. I think it's great that Final Bout is actively forming a niche in American drift culture.

Formula Drift has been around since 2003. Long time followers of the series have noticed an undeniable change in the series - a change which has skyrocketed in the past couple years. I'm not going to elaborate, because those who know, know. Keeping that change in mind, it's quite obvious why some people hate the current state of the series.

Like you said, apples and oranges. In your case, you shouldn't let the taste of apples corrupt the taste of oranges.

rawgarage

^ YOU DONT HAVE TO APOLOGIZE FOR FB BEING COOL. PPL LIKE COOL.

the people at FB would still be driving if it wasn't embraced and deemed cool by many

zerodameaon

Seeing as how he is in Tokyo he likely is not as polluted from FD as you seem to think. Its more likely that it is enhanced by actually being in Japan. In the short few days I was in Okinawa I saw better driving out of guys sliding around the streets then I have ever seen in FD.

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bigs

I mistook him for the guy that created the thread. I guess it's his idea of drifting as a singular thing that annoyed me.

dorkidori_s13

Final Bout is basically the OG drifting scene, the way it was when us old guys were young! the styling of the cars, the actual excitement of seeing NORMAL PEOPLE competing who arent backed by huge sponsorships like Monster or Ford, the anticipation of actually seeing JDM culture at its best and brightest. FB still presents drifting from a Japanese perspective... Formula D took an idea and turned it into something completely different. Prior to 1000+hp engines, mega sponsorships and basically sideways drag racing, normal people could build cars to actually compete in professional drifting series events! the first D1GP that was hosted in LA showed off talent from all levels in cars that were easily buildable via a modest racing budget. FD over the years screwed that up big time.

But as with any sub culture that gets popular, it winds up going mainstream and turns into a beast so far removed from what it originally was. FD can go do whatever the hell it wants. They pulled completely out of Vegas so I have no interest left in it... the only reason I went was to set up a booth to sell shirts and meet my customers, the latter of that was the best part! Shaking hands with people and having them say thank you, but thats besides the point. Over the coming years, I would personally LOVE to afford to sponsor and support Final Bout as it is there for people who still yearn for Japanese influenced and styled drifting. Its a return to what made drifting so special for a lot of us out there!

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DIENOW

I'm just here to salute/cheer/celebrate Chelsea's first win in Formula D + brag about how I designed the car's wrap. Carry on fella's!




#hate #hate #hate #hate #hate

DIENOW

And i agree...Final Bout IS way cooler.

zerodameaon

This little bit makes me wonder how those who watched the birth of NASCAR felt when it did the exact same thing. Those born into its current form look at it a lot different. It's like those of us who witnessed the birth of FD will view it a lot differently then kids who only find out about it as a factory backed million dollar sport.

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dorkidori_s13

thank you for making that point!!! i meant to address it in my post!!!

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Russ

sure


1. Agree. Your opinion doesn't matter. No ones opinion really matters. It's supposed to be fun. That's it.

2. Disagree. This is my experience in American grassroots drifting. Maybe I'm simply hanging out with the wrong crowd and visiting all the wrong websites.

3. At no point did I intend to knock the drivers or the event overall. Only the select group of people that are adamant Formula D haters and by contrast, hardheaded Final Bout fanatics.

4. Agree. This is my exact point. One is not worse/better than the other. I just don't understand how people could find no merit in Formula D and no flaws with Final Bout.

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Beas

So, gitten looks to be a pretty big threat this year.

Dai seemed to get very lucky with the calls. several of his battles should have went OMT. I don't see him making it to even the top 8 anymore this year.

Essa seems like he will be more and more of a threat each round. looked to be back to his old self in the new bmw.

timandytimandy

^ I agree with everything.

Friday was boring, ended up watching clubloose fndp live stream instead.

Bummed Chelsea and tuereks cars broke.

Kenny moen is a beast.

Faruq has no business running pro.

They have 32 qualifiers, have a lottery for starting positions Friday night and the big show Saturday. If there is a odd # winner of previous event gets a by.

scottie

Formula Drift = Exclusivity due to high operating costs and competitive cars.

Final Bout = Exclusivity due to high school click'ish decisions from a select few.


The two are completely different competitions and exclusive in their own form. I personally dig local grassroots events as they are honestly the most like Japan. You will see all sorts of vehicles on the track, from JDM livery/parts/style, missile type and completely stock all the to professional competition built cars. Being more of an 'old timer' I used to watch Japanese drifting videos where you saw all those mentioned above on the track at the same event.

One can at least appreciate the transparency of FD and other similar series.

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RB25GUY

its funny because in japan the audience doesn't want to see grassroots novice drivers like 80 percent of the drivers here in the states. they would boo the shit outta the rookies with even a little bit a skill they want to see pros drifting, they could careless about grassroot events that dont have pro drivers going all out even if its in there missle cars.....

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kevinphan

Finalbout isn't really a competition, at least from my perspective. It is an excuse for a bunch of like minded folks to get together and drive. The first Finalbout that we drove in felt like a weekend at the skatepark. Got to hangout with people from the internet, eat good food, drove cross country, drove on a track I have only witnessed online. It is the entire journey to FinalBout that makes it memorable for those who take part. The people who have not attended FB will not understand the atmosphere. It is pretty hard to beat a bunch of cool looking cars sliding around with 20 other ones right behind them.

The huge difference is attitude, American attitude is to be better than the next guy. You almost always have a competitive spirit and thats great or whatever if you're into it. Even if you aren't the best driver, having a good looking car is no way a downside. Everyone has the internet, google is not hard to use. Building a shitty looking car purposely in 2016 should not happen. People nowadays hop from scene to scene and never learn about anything. American drifting in its current state is laughable, but there are people out there helping promote it in better light and thank you to them for doing that.

scottie

Interesting. I could have sworn I saw a podium with trophies given out from all the media coverage online.

Another interesting subject is attitude. FB has a certain amount of 'my car is better/cooler/JDM'er than yours' attitude correct?

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kevinphan

The difference is being humble. And competition, were you there? If not then case closed, ask anybody who drove final bout and let me know if they think it's a competition, it's more of an exhibition. I could be wrong though.

brndck

Eh. It's more of a "we all share the same taste in styling so we threw an event". If you don't care about aesthetics, then it's simply not the place for you. There are plenty of local events across the country for dumpster cars and missiles. This is not that.

The "attitude" at final bout is by far the friendliest and most inviting automotive event I've ever experienced, and very reminiscent of the first few ASB events. Like Kevin said, it feels far more like a weekend jam session at the skate park than a competition.

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timandytimandy

Right on the money.

I might not have the best looking car, but I'll be damned if its the worst.

Jorgs_7

The truth.

scottie

I guess I should give people of the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the atmosphere is different in the flesh than what I have read lately on social media. Some of the comments from past participants were far from humble. I suppose like most events it is what you make of it. I still want to attend one to see all the well executed cars.


But back to FD ATL, Gitten Jr was fun to watch actually. I have never seen someone flick a Mustang into an entry consistently like he did. The grip was unbelievable (3 wheel action). He always throws down at ATL but he absolutely destroyed every opponent he faced. I felt bad for Matt Fields. It was obvious he was tired of Faruk and essentially punted him out of the way. It was cool to see Dai back on the podium. I think going RHD has improved his performance.

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Beas

so, looks like tires de-beading is now a huge issue.

Mister.E

Was it Orlando? That was the only shit track that would consistently pop people's tires off.

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Beas

yeah, Orlando. worst track of the series. 2 years in a row the event has been horrible there. I wish they could move to a road course.