FORMULA D
4.2005 Wall, NJ
For the first time this year, East Coasters got to experience what our spoiled counterparts on the West Coast have had the pleasure of being able to do. What I’m talking about is drifting! Finally after years of waiting anxiously, the growing and ever popular motor sport of drifting has finally invaded New Jersey. Since the word got out that Formula D was coming to Jersey, drift fans have been eagerly anticipating a chance to really see what all the buzz is about when it comes to this display of horsepower and driving skill, mixed with great showmanship and all out vehicular lunacy.
For those of us that made the trip over to Wall, NJ, April 16th will definitely be a date we’ll remember. Sure we’ve all seen the videos from Best Motoring and seen the Initial D and Drift Tengoku DVD’s from Japan, but to actually be there to see and smell the tire smoke and witness just how tremendous the drivers and teams competing in Formula Drift Round One are, was another thing all together.
Of course, I could go into who beat who in whatever round or go into each tandem run and give you the play by play, but I’ll leave that to the other guys…what I want to express is how it felt from a fan’s point of view. Most of the motor sport events I’ve attended haven’t made it as easy to interact with the drivers and teams as Formula D did. In between practice, qualifying, and the first two rounds, the fans were able to go back into the pits and meet the guys who were out there tearing up the track and get autographs take pictures and just BS with their favorite drivers. It just really felt like a more relaxed and down to earth vibes, like the fans were a bit more appreciated. Not to say that Drag, NASCAR, Indy and all of the other racing sports don’t appreciate the fans, but it was more like the drivers and crews were happy to be there and it was more than a job to them. Personally, I’ve been a fan of drifting since I learned about it years ago and even more so when I went to Japan and got to see and meet a few of the pros at the Tokyo Auto Salon, but the Formula Drift competition really impressed me as a fan and as someone who is involved in the import race/show scene. I can say that I am definitely a much bigger fan of drifting after April 16th and I’m sure there are many many more people who share the same feeling. Again, if you didn’t get a chance to go this year, it’s tough to really explain in words what is was like, however make sure you get down to Wall Speedway next time Formula D makes it out and experience it firsthand…then you’ll get my DRIFT!
Special shouts to Fred Chang and the guys at Formula D for hooking us up with an all access pass so we could capture some awesome action shots for the website gallery; make sure you check it out. And for more information on Formula Drift check out www.formulad.com to learn about the teams and plans for the 2005 season.