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Originally posted by Ernie I suppose my 3 years in Japan means nothing....I guess learning to be humble got me none of the respect I currently have from Japanese drivers. I have been told I don't say enough. I guess I should just give up drifting all together to make people like 326power happy, since I will never amount to nothing as a professional drifter. As usual we got schooled by the japanese and will never be good enough....maybe I should just quit now!
yeah man you're very humble Like you said You really don't say to much... at drivers search at irwindale I thought you were down on yourself cuz you seemed so quite after you had gotten your spot on the japan vs. usa. You almost seemed sad or had something on your mind
Unfourtunately, when you have 3 judges who are all Japanese, and the majority of the drivers are as well, there's going to be some politics involved. I talked to Ken Gushi about this exact topic at the driver's search in Fontana. He said that he prefers Formula D because it's much more easy-going, and that there's no tag placed on you because you happen to be Japanese or happen to be American. That's the only downside to the D1 that I see. Oh and the fact that they don't play music...But first they've gotta get that blasted PA system fixed.
Originally posted by Ernie I suppose my 3 years in Japan means nothing....I guess learning to be humble got me none of the respect I currently have from Japanese drivers. I have been told I don't say enough. I guess I should just give up drifting all together to make people like 326power happy, since I will never amount to nothing as a professional drifter. As usual we got schooled by the japanese and will never be good enough....maybe I should just quit now!
Man, you guys have advanced so much this year since drift atlanta. Congrats Ernie you fought hard and deserved what you got, but I dont agree that you guys are near their level quite yet. The 2 tracks that we have seen japanese and americans compete on were irindale and this track which were both high speed sweeping courses, nothing technical like the courses they run in japan. Until you guys get regular practices on a course like Ebisu you are not going to beat them.
we are hoping to get in Japan for possibly 2 events in 2005. In my opinion, I thought this last course was pretty technical. It definitely weeded out some of the Japanese...Nomuken and Izumida....I like it so much that I am really pushing next years sponsor's to get me in Japan next year. I really appreciate your guys' support and hope to put on a better show next time. I am always looking to improve in some way or other. Of course some guys will never be happy and you can't please them all, but I will definitely take all this into consideration and hope to put out a better performance at the next event.
cheers, Ernie
Ernie Fixmer
Formula Drift/VR Motoring/Robinson Helicopter
Lakewood, CA 90712
All I know is, next D1 search I'll get my JZA-80 ready to get sideways. I don't give a crap how much it weighs. I'll drift it and then own some...If anybody is listening...I guess not...Oh well prepare to get own Japan and U.S.
Okay, I might as well add something. No one knows me, so I guess my comment may not be important, though I thought would post something from someone trying to reach the top. I honestly dont care if D1 is riged, biast, or what ever you want it to be. Either way I wan't to become a pro Drifter. I want to be out there, that has been my dream for the longest time. I am not really good at anything else, and this, I would be happy to make a carreer out of. Why should I find a reason not to go further with something I love. If I spin out, or eat a cone, go off corse, didnt have enought angle and I dont advance. I would take it as a learning experiance. You learn from your mistakes not your wins.
So what if its rigged, or bias. We should be so lucky to have a opprotunity to do what has been brought to us. If you find out baseball was rigged (probably is) but if it is, would you stop playing it for fun?
I have about 3 years of drift experiance, learned here on american soil. Didnt have the golden opprotunity to be in japan. I dont think I am there with the american drivers but, just gotta tune my car more, and have more fun at it. Work on my entry speed. Dont bash the US drift competitors. I would like to see anyone get in a full drift out ride and have entry speed at 90 plus mph. Most of you wouldnt dare try it, I would yell like pu$$Y and scream.
Hope to see you guys on the track next year!
PS Coiloverkid you guys hiring for paint or body work at Top Secret. or a janitor haha (kinda serious)
Seems like forever since I've been here-back to the subject. Just thought I would come by and give a little FYI. Remember the D1 back in 2003? Erine was actually the biggest prospect out of the American drivers for that event. He was also talked about quite highly by the judges (includes Keichi)..
It's a shame you have to suffer from engine/drivetrain plagues right around event time. Only so many parts can break on you before none are left to break . Seems like your getting the bugs out; it can only be downhill from here. Your time to shine will come soon.
D1 being rigged? It's been argued from here to Japan. There's bias's with the judges. Certain cars get placed higher than others with certain drivers.Certain lines appeal more to certain judges than others. It's taken a beatdown since day one; you can't argue much more on the subject that hasn't been argued.
As for the Japanese not letting an American win, I actually have the solution, quite simple. When there's enough American drivers that can completely outshine the Japanese drivers, then it will be impossible to deny a win to an American driver; unless they want to look like the WWE . Though that will not happen until some Americans can get to Japan and compete on their soil. Remember this was only an exhibition, not a series match.
This is just my opinion, take it however you want. Now is the time I think an American should get to Japan. You see the progress just after this match? Now picture a whole series of competition in that country. No doubt, not only would the driver(s) improve, but the whole drift world would get a shakedown (assuming they managed to do quite well)-also sponsors would be happy because an American drifter competeting in the Japanese D1 Grand Prix series, and doing quite well, would get you more then enough publicity (look at how many ads have Americans there, they sell) *hint, hint*-Then and only then, would you see an American take a win. Why? In order to get that win, they must reach a consistent level where their ability cannot be denied without risking the credibility of the D1 Grand Prix series.
Here's a concept....The exhibition matches are only the battle, not the war. It's time to stop playing the one battle, and start to win the war. (Btw, this is not an actualy war..Just thought I would say that before someone tries to dig too deep and claim my statement to be that of one who's suggesting that this is an America vs Japan war..etc,etc..)
nicely put!...I like it. I just hope we can get a big endorsement/sponsor company to kick down some green to get us over there. I already have it planned out.
Ernie Fixmer
Formula Drift/VR Motoring/Robinson Helicopter
Lakewood, CA 90712
There is something to be said for home field advantage as well. At DEC sekia hills, my local track, most people expect on of the local kyushu boys to win the D1 events that are held there or at the other track, Autopolis. I'm sure there is an element of that in the US event as well.
All the factors involved in traveling half-way around the world come into play. Jet-lag, strange food, strange language, strange culture (chanting.. booing.. etc), the thrill of being in the US, etc...
The real test (before anyone can say so and so should have beat so and so) is to have an American go to Japan and compete over there with a full crew and sponsor. You know, not just some guy borrowing a pro's car for the day.
Originally posted by Ernie nicely put!...I like it. I just hope we can get a big endorsement/sponsor company to kick down some green to get us over there. I already have it planned out.
Does it include fast food with cheese? I think if you use your "smokescreen" (i.e. consume huge amounts of cheese prior to an event) you can win.
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