Wakefield Stadium Drift Round 3
In the land far far away (For us Queenslanders), we have this town called Goulburn, and at this time of the year it has special powers to make our thermometers read in the negatives and wind strong enough to make the clouds look like a time lapse video.
But that has never stopped a drift competition before and it it never will.
RC Drift at GC Compound
A week or so back I got a call from Josh Dobrik to say he was coming down to the Gold Coast to hit up GC compound for some good old fashioned RC drifting. Not being one to shy away from anything drift related I thought I would come down and check it out, camera in hand of course.
Who’s Getting an 86?
My good friend Matt Sheather spotted this this 86 as it rolled in on a trailer to his work and was very kind to send us through these two photos. While we knew they were in Aus, it looks like they have well and truly got them ready for production!
Behind the Smoke | Episode 5
Some more Behind the Smoke for you guys, this time coming from Atlanta. The tight corners of Long Beach are always interesting to watch, but I love the long downhill entry of Atlanta. Looks like Dai clips the corner pretty bad in his first run, but he gets back up. Check it out guys!
Hollywood CA, – May 21, 2012 In this episode of GTChannel’s “Behind the Smoke” Dai’s Formula D Discount Tire/Falken Tire S13 rolls into Atlanta for Round 2. This episode follows Dai through Day 1 of qualifying at the newly designed Atlanta track.
Atlanta is always one of the more popular stops on the Formula D tour and this year was no different. Dai’s qualifying runs did not go as planned, but the action was fast and furious and the crowd support was great as usual.
“Dai has won two years in row at Atlanta and it’s one of his favorite tracks. This event was his chance to get back on top of the podium again,” said Taro Koki, director of “Behind the Smoke”.
“Behind the Smoke” gives a look into the real life of 2011 Formula Drift champion, Daijiro Yoshihara. GTChannel’s cameras follow Dai throughout the 2012 Formula Drift season both on and off the track. This gives drifting fans an exclusive look into what it takes to compete in the top professional drifting series. Behind the Smoke is produced by GTChannel in association with Discount Tire/America’s Tire and supported by Falken Tire, GoPro and Netflix.
E!CM
Queensland Raceway Short Track Series | Round 3 | Part 2
Straight back into the coverage of Round 3 of the Queensland Raceway Short Track Series! Flynn Dowling, the owner of this rather amazing Onevia, was on form all night. In my opinion one of the best looking cars in Queensland at the moment. It’s rolling proof that even though setup of a drift car is important, you can still slamm it down hard for maximum style and drive better than everyone else.
Queensland Raceway Short Track Series | Round 3 | Part 1
Well here it is finally guys; photos from the third and final round of the Queensland Raceway Short Track Series. All I can say is WHAT A SERIES! I’m very impressed at how this event was run, the quality of cars and driving on display and also the crowd population. The series easily rates high up as one of my all-time favorite events I have ever seen at Queensland Raceway, and trust me there has been plenty!
You want results? I got them!
ROUND PODIUM:
1st Place – Rob Whyte in the Monster 350z
2nd Place – Flynn Dowling in his rather fabulous Onevia
3rd Place – Kris Klutke who was doing some amazing stuff all night in his S13
EVENT PODIUM:
1st Place – Nick Coulson who has absolutely obliterated the competition and shown that not all drift cars need to be Japanese in his VE ute.
2nd Place – Barry Clark in his black S13
3rd – Todd Waldon (we all know him at TJ) in his white S13
Right, onward to photos!
Turning Japanese
I bought the Corolla a small present this month because I felt bad that it won’t be seeing the road any more. It was an incredible fluke that I found these with the numbers 71-71; they are genuine plates from Naniwa, Osaka it would seem, so no plasticy knock-offs here!
I really haven’t spent anything on this car in the last three years except for the occasional pair of tires. Thankfully I will be finishing uni this year so I can get right back into drifting almost every month like I used to be able to afford to!
E!CM
Eastern Creek Track Extension | In Car With Jonathon Webb
Normally I would only show you guys videos that have been contributed by the original creator, but having been following the progress of the formerly named Eastern Creek I had to make an exception for this. A good friend of mine, Tim Hamilton, brought this video to my attention this week of Jonathon Webb driving a Radical through newly named Sydney Motorsport Park.
The new section of corners looks incredibly tight and very technical; quite contrary to the rest of the track. I’m very eager to check out the new section in person later this year during WTAC, even if the Superlap cars don’t attack these corners during their laps.
E!CM
Behind the Smoke | Episode 4
Episode 4 of “Behind the Smoke” from GTChannel. I’m really enjoying seeing this documentary style coverage of a driver in Formula D. What you opinion of all the videos so far guys?
Hollywood CA, – May 14, 2012 In this episode of GTChannel’s “Behind the Smoke” Dai’s Formula D Discount Tire/Falken Tire S13 gets another thorough examination before heading to Atlanta for Round 2. A local SoCal track is used to simulate the upcoming Atlanta layout and the crew tries to dial in Dai’s car.
“I am very happy with the car this year. The additional horsepower along with the adjustments we made with the suspension really feels good,” said Dai. These new changes among others are highlighted in this latest episode of “Behind the Smoke”.
2012 looks to be even a more highly contested season with more experienced drivers and expanded fields for the Formula Drift series. In addition to a new tire specs and suspension requirements there are a number of challenges to be faced for the upcoming season. The Formula Drift drivers in 2012 are more experienced and more importantly expanded driver fields will pose a formidable challenge for 2012.
E!CM
Who’s Getting Pumped for WTAC?
I know I am! I have been itching to get back out to Eastern Creek since all the action last year. With the line up of cars both drift and Time Attack related the action is going to be even more insane this year!
Be sure to keep up with all the info on http://www.worldtimeattack.com and if haven’t got your tickets get in early:
http://www.worldtimeattack.com/index.php/tickets/
E!CM
John Dollisson’s MA61 Supra Build
It wasn’t long ago since I caught up with John Dollisson and Brett Mattingley to see how the MA61 makeover was going.
The Dream 31?
It’s quite rare to see one of these cars in this day and age, particularly in this condition; a two door R31 GTS. I was lucky enough to be shown this beauty in the flesh by a friend of a friend recently which just happens to be sporting a rather tidy RB25DET install.
I might try organise a shoot of this some time if you guys would like to see more of it?
E!CM
Buckna’s Badass Bitch
What an awesome series of drift events! The guys at Queensland Raceway have seriously put on an awesome show for us. For now if I only show you one car I want it to be this one; Buckna’s tagged up R33. This car has been at the last two rounds as you can see here, but with a very different livery. Every time this car gets a new paint job it just looks more and more awesome. Well done buddy!
Many more photos and the final results coming in the next few days!
E!CM
Luke Fink Takes Another Round | ADGP round 1
What a weekend at the first round of ADGP at Symmons Plains Raceway 2012. What seemed to be a horrible morning with all the rain, turned out to be an exciting and intense day with Luke Fink taking another round win. Even with engine troubles Luke still managed to pull though with some wild angles, including a reverse entry in his solo qualifying lap.
Behind the Smoke | Episode 3
I’m really enjoying what the guys are doing over at GTchannel with all the coverage of Dai Yoshihara. This episode covers the tandems at the opening round of Formula D at Long Beach. Check out Episode 3 of “Behind the Smoke“!
E!CM
Midnight Mechanics | Jason Sherring at Friday night QR
It’s been pretty rare for all of us Midnight Mechanics to make it to a drifting event at the same time, but even if we can’t bring our own cars we do come up to support our fellow team mates. A few Friday nights ago, after a two year hiatus, Jason Sherring brought his 4agte Ae86 up to Queensland Raceway to get some much needed wet weather practice in.
I couldn’t resist getting the GoPro inside the car for a couple of laps to help boost his ego for next time.
Make sure you hit the HD button for maximum awesome.
E!CM
A Rare Sight
Usually after most Morning Sessions at Queensland Raceway there is some sort of practice session on for some other category. Typically it is not something you would stop to look twice at. This week however I was very surprised to see this Ferrari 458 GT3 as well as the Porsche GT3 owned by VIP petfoods Co-Director, Tony Quinn.
Qr Morning Session
This Wednesday just passed as you may already know was another famous monthly Queensland Raceway Morning Session.
Road Trip to Wakefield
Late Thursday night I met up with some of the Stadium Drift guys to see them off before their long drive all the way down to Wakefield. With the actual event staring on Saturday, leaving late on Thursday gave them enough time to get down to the track by about Midday Friday and rest up for the big event the following day.
Beau’s Well Travelled Ae86
You might remember this Ae86 from a few months back which was picked up by my friend Aaron. Long story short the Ae86 build was not to be and was passed on to one of our other friends, Beau, who probably has more experience than both Aaron and myself put together with building Corollas.
Queensland Raceway Morning Session
I didn’t get any photos for you guys today at the Queensland Raceway Morning session as I was way too busy driving, but Josh Dobrik was also present and will have hopefully have some very cool shots coming up for guys in the next few days!
E!CM
Behind the Smoke | Episode 2
We have another episode of “Behind the Smoke” for you guys, this coming from from the Long Beach Round in California.
Hollywood CA, – April 23, 2012.
Dai sets out to defend his 2011 title in Episode 2 of GTChannel’s “Behind the Smoke” in front of another Long Beach sellout. Formula DRIFT kicked-off the 8th championship season on the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Street Course. Check out Dai maneuver his way through the qualifying stages of Day 1 and as always there were challenges to overcome.
“Long Beach was great, I love that track and the atmosphere down there. There is a lot of talent out here this year and more drivers to contend with,” said Dai last week.
All the teams are back bigger and stronger with more horsepower and new tires. The day began with an open practice session for the top 32 drivers and a record breaking 19 rookies. Round One of Formula Drift was a success at last the scent of rubber is back in the summer air and Dai’s hair was perfect.
We will be bring you episode 3 very soon as well!
E!CM
Harry’s Diner Oldschool Reunion Night
Being the start of a long weekend last Friday night was boring, and I was looking for things to do. Much to my joy I found out that the old school night was on at Harry’s diner so I headed out. The turnout was huge with the mention of Street Machine photographers being there and it was definitely a great night. The lighting wasn’t the best in some areas however, and with the limited parking spaces, many cars were forced to leave or went and parked on the other side of the street.
