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D1 GRAND PRIX-Feb
28, 2004-Irwindale Speedway
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 For the first time in drifting history, the top teams from the
D1 Grand Prix Professional Drift Series in Japan will debut their driving skills on U.S. soil in a series points competition (not an exhibition). The event is the only currently scheduled U.S. D1 Grand Prix drifting competition for 2004 and will be held at Irwindale Speedway near Los Angeles, California. Approximately 30 of the top D1 teams from Japan will compete in the D1 Grand Prix USA for points in the 7 event series. The other 6 events are held in Japan.
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The D1 Grand Prix is now produced by D1 Productions Inc.
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| President: |
Daijiro Inada |
| Vice
Presidents: |
Keiichi Tsuchiya, Takeshi
Hidesato, Isao Saita, Hideo Tomitaka |
| Board
Members: |
Manabu Orido and other. |
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D1 Productions Inc. was formulated in California for administrating U.S.
D1 events and it is directly linked with the D1 corporation of Japan.
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| Text
provided by D1 Productions (d1gp.com) |
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DRIFTING.com is not responsible or liable for typographical errors.
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About
the D1 GP Drift Series
A Visionary
It was the vision of a car enthusiast and magazine publisher that
brought drifting to mainstream motorsports in Japan.
Daijiro Inada (pronounced dye-jee-ro ee-na-da), founder of Option
Magazine and the Tokyo Auto Salon, knew drifting and the Drivers
Search events represented only a fraction of the potential of drifting
to the global motorsport subculture. Daijiro felt a strong need to
bring drifting to a professional level. So in 2001, with the help of
longtime friend Keiichi Tsuchiya (pronounced kay-ee-chee soo-chee-ya),
a professional JGTC (Japan Grand Touring Car Championship-the largest
race series in Japan in terms of participants) driver and the person
considered to be the father of modern competitive drifting, Daijiro
created the D1 Grand Prix. Today, the D1 Grand Prix is so popular in
Japan that D1 drivers are recognizable celebrities.
True to Mr. Inada's vision, the D1 Grand Prix represents the highest
level of competition in the sport and provides the best-of-the-best to
fans throughout Japan, and now in North America. The D1 Grand Prix
series has also become the launch pad for a number of professional
drifters who have graduated to top level professional racing series
such as the JGTC.
Through D1 Drivers Search events, the D1 Grand Prix series and D1
Grand Prix in the USA, and with events planned for Europe and Korea in
2004, the sport of drifting has finally reached global proportions.
Since its humble beginnings only a few years ago, the D1 Grand Prix
series events have grown from relatively small events with 50 or so
teams and 3,000 to 4,000 spectators to today's events that typically
host over 100 teams and by the end of the 2003 season, were attracting
upwards of 20,000 spectators.
In addition to the incredible success of the D1 series in Japan,
before 2001 there relatively few tuning shops there that specialized
in drifting set-ups. With the introduction of a professional drifting
series in Japan, the number of drifting specific shops there jumped to
over 200 practically spawning a rebirth of the tuning industry in
Japan. |
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| Round |
Date |
Venue |
| Pro
season match |
Jan.
17 |
Odaiba
Tokyo, Japan |
| ROUND 1 |
Feb. 28 (Sat) |
Irwindale
CA, USA |
| Exhibition
match |
Apr.
17, 18 (Sat. Sun) |
Odaiba
Tokyo, Japan |
| ROUND 2 |
May 4, 5 (Sat.
Sun) |
Sugo
Circuit, Japan |
| ROUND
3 |
July
24, 25 (Sat. Sun) |
Ebisu
Circuit, Japan |
| ROUND 4 |
Aug. 21, 22
(Sat. Sun) |
Autopolis,
Japan |
| ROUND
5 |
Sept.
17, 18 (Sat. Sun) |
Odaiba
Tokyo, Japan |
| ROUND 6 |
Oct. 23, 24
(Sat. Sun) |
Ebisu
Circuit, Japan |
| ROUND
7 |
Nov.
25 (Thur) |
Tsukaba
Circuit, Japan |
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The
Inaugural US D1 Grand Prix Event
The sell-out D1 Grand Prix USA, held August 31, 2003, shattered all
attendance records at Irwindale Speedway and firmly established
drifting as the hottest new motorsport in the U.S. The previous track
attendance record of 8,700 was easily surpassed as approximately
10,000 spectators witnessed the first ever U.S. D1 Grand Prix
competition. Not only was this the largest event ever hosted at
Irwindale, it was the largest event to date, in terms of spectator
attendance, in the history of drifting in both the U.S. and Japan.
The August invitational featured 16 of the top professional D1 teams
from Japan and eight American drivers who had qualified at the D1
Driver's Search held earlier in the year on June 15th. The event had
all the rounds of exciting drifting action that one would find at a
native D1, but this was an exhibition that didn't count toward 2003
series points.
In addition to the drifting competition, there was a car show in which
approximately 250 participants vied for more than 52 awards and $2,000
in cash and prizes. There were also more than a hundred automotive
after-market manufacturers and retailers exhibiting on the grounds as
well as an R/C car drift show and motorcycle stunt demonstrations. The
open-access pit area provided fans an up-close look at the cars and
drivers. A couple of drivers autograph sessions gave fans an
opportunity to meet their heroes and get a photo signed. Beautiful
umbrella girls decorated the landscape everywhere one turned.
The action on both the track and in the stands was wild right up to
the moment the smoke finally cleared late in the evening. If it had
gone on, it's doubtful anyone there would have been disappointed,
including the drivers, many of whom were visibly emotional in response
to the impassioned enthusiasm of the crowd at the awards ceremony.
Based on the response of the fans, the industry participants and the
media, the August D1 Grand Prix undoubtedly went down in the annals as
one of the most thrilling motorsports events of the year.
Overview of
the February D1 Grand Prix
On Saturday February 28, 2004 motorsports history will be made when
for the first time in drifting history, the top teams from the D1
Grand Prix Professional Drift Series in Japan will debut their driving
skills on U.S. soil in a series points competition (not an
exhibition).
Still in the planning stages at the time of this writing, the event
will again commence at Irwindale Speedway near Los Angeles,
California. Unlike the inaugural D1 Grand Prix USA exhibition, this
will be Round 1 of the seven round 2004 D1 Grand Prix series and will
count toward series points. Rain or shine, at least 30 of the top
teams from Japan will compete and invitations will be extended to
those American drivers who qualified and participated in the inaugural
U.S. event.
As with the inaugural event, sponsorships will be offered and vendor
space allocated. There will also be a car show, merchandising,
concessions, open access pits, autograph sessions, umbrella girls and
full media coverage, including an event highlight television program.
Once again, this is expected to be the import motorsports event of the
year and will undoubtedly attract a sell-out crowd. |
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What
is drifting?
Drifting is a high-skill level motorsport in which drivers control a
car while it slides from side to side at high speed through a marked
course. It is similar to rally racing, but is done on a closed paved
course and judged on execution and style rather than just who finishes
the fastest. Drift cars are typically smaller, lightweight, and rear
wheel drive. The goal is to apply enough power to the rear wheels to
break the tires' traction and initiate a slide, or "drift."
Once a drift is initiated, it must be maintained through the turn
using a precise balance of power, braking and steering.
To the uninitiated it's a wild and exciting episode of controlled
chaos. But when professionally executed, a drifting vehicle is a thing
of beauty and grace not unlike figure skating (albeit much faster and
louder).
How is
drifting judged?
Because professional drifting events are judged on execution and
style, it is mandatory that the judges are intimately familiar with
the capabilities of the cars and the advanced driving techniques
employed by the competitors. D1 Grand Prix judges are highly
qualified, usually former professional drifters, and are considered
experts in their field.
Speed, angle of attack and vehicle control are the factors D1 judges
evaluate. All drivers get solo runs before the Best 16 head-up
eliminations start. All participants who make it to the Best 16 run
door handle to door handle, with one other car on the circuit at the
same time. As fun as the solo runs are, this is where the real
excitement starts and brings the crowds to their feet.
Factors like slowing to the point of hindering the other driver,
running into another driver's car or spinning out means an automatic
loss of the run. Putting pressure on an opponent through a more
aggressive drift angle, carrying a higher speed through a corner, and
showing good strategy are extremely important tactics used to win an
elimination round. Each judge knows what each competitor's car is
capable of. The judges will know how much of the car's potential the
driver is using, and if the driver is not pushing the car to the
limit, they will be eliminated from the round.
History of
Drifting
The Japanese towns of Rokkosan, Hakone, Irohazaka, and various hill
climbs in Nagano are all steeped in legends of the origins of
drifting. No one can really pinpoint the true birthplace but it all
started some time around the mid 1960s. Like many forms of
professional racing today, the modern interpretation of drifting
evolved from a form of illegal street racing held on windy mountain
roads called "touge" (pronounced toe-geh). Touge was
practiced by extremely dedicated enthusiasts known as "Rolling
Zoku" (pronounced zoe-koo) whose only goal was to trim precious
milliseconds off of their time between two points.
Eventually, some of these Rolling Zoku began to take notice of driving
techniques used by rally drivers, techniques to clear a corner quickly
without sacrificing too much momentum. As touge drivers started to
emulate these rally driving techniques, they discovered that not only
did it improve their driving performance and time but it made the
experience much more interesting. From touge, drifting was born.
The
Drifting Movement Evolves
About the same time touge transitioned into drifting, some of the
Rolling Zoku came off the mountains to bring their new-found sport to
the urban jungles of Japan. The urban drifters added their own flavor
to the sport with their flamboyant driving style and outrageous
vehicles. Eventually word of the spectacle spread and spectators began
showing up to witness the talent of these amazing drivers and their
machines. But as popular as drifting had become, it's growth was
limited by the risk associated with illegal street racing, keeping it
relegated to an underground status.
Eventually, the popularity of drifting propelled the sport into the
mainstream and competitors started to organize and take their
home-grown trials to the track. The gatherings were originally just
for fun until the cars and driving skills became so refined that
things started to get competitive. From the early organized trials,
regional drift competitions known as "Ikaten" (pronounced
ee-kah-ten) were spawned and began popping up all over Japan.
The most famous of the Ikaten was the Drivers Search which,
essentially, was a traveling professionally judged drifting contest
open to the public. The Drivers Search events provided local
competitors of all backgrounds with an opportunity to show off their
skills and compete with each other to determine who had the most
skill. For awhile, Drivers Search events satisfied the thirst of
drifting fans and drivers but as skill levels and techniques improved
and manufacturers started producing drifting-specific components
allowing drifters to run specialized drifting set-ups in their
vehicles, it was clearly time to raise the bar.
Inaugural
Event Media Coverage
Through the efforts of Slipstream Global Marketing, public relations
agency Rogers and Associates and 2003 event sponsor Yokohama Tire
Corporation, so much press was created for the inaugural U.S. D1 Grand
Prix that the event, and professional drifting in general, has been
the subject of local, national and international news in both the
print media and television. It is estimated that this media coverage
reached a total audience of over 100,000,000 individuals.
Below is a sampling of magazines, newspapers, television stations and
web sites that covered the inaugural U.S. D1 Grand Prix:
12 Volt Street News
Access Unlimited Magazine
Autocar Magazine UK
Automotive News
AutoWeek Magazine
B Scene Magazine
BrandWeek
C-16 Magazine
Del Mar Times
Driving Sports Magazine
ETTV
Grassroots Motorsports Magazine
HCI Magazine
Import Racer Magazine
Import Tuner Magazine
KABC News
KCAL 9 TV
KNBC News
LA Auto Guide
Los Angeles Times
Modified Magazine
Nopi Street Performance Compact Magazine
Option Video/Option Magazine/ Option2 Magazine Orange County Register
Pasadena Star
Performance Auto & Sound Magazine
Popular Mechanics
Racer Magazine
Road & Track Magazine
San Gabriel Valley News
SEMA News
Speed Channel
Sport Compact Car Magazine
SportsCar Magazine
Super Street Magazine
Today's Sports Magazine
Turbo Magazine
USA Today
Wall Street Journal
Whittier Daily
Wired Magazine
drifting.com
urbanracer.com
speedoptions.com
carandmodel.com
2004 Event
Television/Video Coverage
Of the seven 2004 D1 Grand Prix events, only one will be televised and
that will be the Round 1 U.S. event. The broadcasting of D1 Grand Prix
events is very restricted in Japan due to potential conflicts with the
sales of the series own Video Option DVDs. However, Sunpros Co., Ltd
has granted permission to allow the U.S. D1 Grand Prix to be televised
in the U.S., providing a truly unique and rare opportunity for
television networks, race teams and sponsors.
Current television plans are in discussion and a deal is expected to
materialize soon. A news release will be issued when this is
finalized.
A number of local television stations will also be invited to cover
the event as was done in the inaugural event.
In addition to television coverage in the U.S., Video Option will
cover the event with their magazine format video which is extremely
popular and widely distributed in Japan. Approximately 120,000 copies
of Video Option are distributed monthly.
2004 Event
Print Media Coverage
An extensive list of invited print media guests will be on-hand to
witness and report on this exciting drifting competition. At least as
much print coverage as was received in the inaugural U.S. event is
expected with the 2004 event. A media orientation, drifting
introduction, demonstration, ride-alongs and driver interviews are
planned for the Friday preceding the event.
Sponsorship
Programs
This D1 Grand Prix event will undoubtedly provide companies from all
sorts of markets a unique and dynamic opportunity to reach a slice of
the somewhat evasive but very lucrative $200 billion Gen-Y market.
Between the targeted demographics of the enthusiast spectators, the
media coverage in the automotive print segment, mainstream and
lifestyle print segments, newspapers, internet sites and the
television coverage and Option Video DVD sales, this event will
provide an opportunity to reach well over 100 million enthusiasts and
consumers. For companies offering import automotive products or
services, this will be the most important event of the year. For
companies not endemic to the automotive indusrty, this event offers a
unique opportunity to brand your product and/or service to a very
targeted and influential demographic.
Sponsorship opportunities will be limited in an effort to keep
sponsors in the spotlight as much as possible, giving each one an
excellent value for their investment. The proposed sponsorship
opportunities are as follows:
This area is currently under construction.
Vendor Row
Energy and excitement will be the order of the day at Vendor Row.
Located between the grandstand and the open-access pit area, and
adjacent to the car show area, your product, brand and/or service will
be exposed to hoards of hard-core drifting and motorsports
enthusiasts. Due to the space constraints of the Irwindale Speedway
property, booth availability will be limited and offered on a
first-come, first-served basis. Please contact us to reserve your
space as soon as possible.
Booth
space sizes available with pricing: |
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| 10'x10' |
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20'x20' |
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| 10'x20' |
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20'x30' |
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| 10'x30' |
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20'x40' |
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| Larger
spaces may be available. Contact D1
Productions for more information. |
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| D1
Rules and Regulations |
| Safety
Modifications and Guidelines: |
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Anything
that compromises the safety of the vehicle in a collision may
not be removed with the exception of air bags and or factory
collision reinforcement bars. |
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Each
car must be equipped with a six-point or better roll cage. |
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Roll
cage must be welded or securely bolted and anchored. If roll
cage is bolted then its must be securely reinforced with an
anchor plate and backing plate sandwich on each side of the
floor pan. |
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Roll
cage may be placed in front or through the dashboard. |
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Roll
cage tubing must be at a minimum of 2.25 inches in diameter |
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Drivers
seat must be equipped with a four-point or better racing type
safety harness of nylon web, at least 3 inches in diameter,
with a metal buckle. Shoulder harness must be an H type not Y
type harness. Safety Harness must be securely bolted to the
frame. |
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Drivers
must be fitted with Snell Foundation (SA) approved safety
helmets with 1995 Snell Foundation (95SA) or later safety
sticker of approval displayed inside; head and neck restraints
systems are optional and must also be Snell Foundation (SA)
approved. Face shields are strongly recommended. |
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Drivers
must wear driving suits made of approved fire resistance
material (Nomex, Kynol, etc.) in single or double layers.
Socks and full length underwear must also be fire resistance. |
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Drivers
must wear fire resistance gloves with no holes composed of
Nomex or leather. Shoes must be of fire resistant materials or
leather on top. Racing shoes are strongly recommended. |
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Catch
tanks must be securely fastened. Radiator catch tanks must
have a minimum capacity of 1 qt. each. Oil catch tanks may
also be installed on engine oil breathers where practical. NO
FLUID LEAKS OF ANY KIND WILL BE TOLERATED. |
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It
is highly recommended that all cars be equipped with at least
a 2 lb. 10 BC fire extinguisher securely mounted in the
cockpit. An onboard halon type fire system is strongly
recommended. |
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Master
electrical cut-off switches are highly recommended and should
clearly be marked if fitted outside the vehicle. |
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Fuel
cells are strongly recommended. |
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Fuel
filler caps must be securely fastened so as not to open on
impact. |
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All
hoods and deck lids must be adequately and securely fastened. |
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All
drain plugs must be securely fastened. |
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Batteries
must be securely fastened down, positive terminals well
insulated and if located in the cockpit must be covered or
have leak proof caps. |
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All
cars must have at least one working rear brake light. |
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Brake
systems including brakes, lines, fluid and pedals must be in
good shape and working condition. Dual master cylinders are
recommended. |
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| Authorized
Modifications: |
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Each
car must maintain the OEM unibody. |
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Must
maintain tempered front windshield. |
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Every
car must maintain a complete exhaust system with a factory or
aftermarket catalytic converter. |
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Any
tires that are within public accessibility may be used. |
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The
front passenger seat, rear seats air-conditioning, radio,
wiper blades and original seatbelts also may be removed and/or
replaced. |
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Aftermarket
body panels, bumper covers and wings are permitted |
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Seam
welding the unibody is permitted. |
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Suspension
upgrades are open. |
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Factory
wheels may be replaced with aftermarket wheels. |
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Any
grade of automotive gasoline may be used for fuel. |
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Engines
are open for modification. |
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Other
than what is listed above cars are open for modification. |
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| Qualification
Guidelines: |
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D1
series point holders from previous series are exempt from
qualifying. |
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Top
ten ranking drivers are exempt from qualifying. |
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Qualified
drivers |
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Any
drivers who hold previous D1 series experience. |
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Any
drivers who have been qualified by an official judge during
Drivers Search within the last 12 months. |
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TENTATIVE D1 Grand Prix U.S.A Event Schedule (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
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| Friday
February 27, 2004 - Trade set-up and Media Day
(CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC) |
| Please download PDF at the bottom of this page for Friday's schedule |
| Saturday
February 28, 2004 - Main event |
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6:00am |
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Vendor
set-up, car show set-up,
course inspection |
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6:30am |
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Vendor
set-up, car show set-up, cont.
Tech inspection |
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7:00am |
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Vendor
set-up, car show set-up, cont.
Tech inspection, cont. |
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7:30am |
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Vendor
set-up finish, car show set-up
finish, Tech inspection, cont. |
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8:00am |
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Gates
open to public, Tech
inspection, cont. |
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8:30am |
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First
Practice Run |
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9:00am |
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Practice
Run |
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9:30am |
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Practice
Run |
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10:00am |
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Car
Show judging begins, Practice
Run |
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10:30am |
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Driver
autograph session/media
interview in Vendor Row |
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11:00am |
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Driver
autograph session/media interview in Vendor Row, National
anthem, D1 competition, Round-1 |
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11:30pm |
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Driver autograph
session/media interview in Vendor Row, D1 competition, Round-1 |
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12:00pm |
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D1
competition, Round-1 |
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12:30pm |
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D1
competition, Round-1 |
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1:00pm |
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D1
competition, Round-1 |
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1:30pm |
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D1
competition, Round-1 |
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2:00pm |
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D1
competition, Round-1 |
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2:30pm |
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Car
Show awards announced, D1
competition, Best-16 |
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3:00pm |
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Car
Show Awards Ceremony |
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3:30pm |
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4:00pm |
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D1
competition, Best-8 |
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4:30pm |
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D1
competition, Best-8 |
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5:00pm |
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5:30pm |
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6:00pm |
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D1
competition, Semi-Final 4 |
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6:30pm |
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D1
competition, Semi-Final 4 |
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7:00pm |
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7:30pm |
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D1
competition, Final |
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8:00pm |
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D1
competition, Final |
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8:30pm |
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9:00pm |
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Formation
Run |
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9:30pm |
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Awards
Ceremony, event ends |
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10:00pm |
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Vendor
booth tear down, Shut down the
P.A. system |
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10:30pm |
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11:00pm |
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All
vendors move out by 11:00pm |
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Detailed event schedule for Drivers/Teams, Vendors/Sponsors and Car Show Entrants may be
downloaded here:
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NOTE:
Event details, competitor list, ticket prices,
media information and schedule are being determined and will be released as soon as they
are available.
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