Editorial: Drifting at its worst

[TougeWarrior]

Originally posted by Driftday
"We must decide now if drifting will enter the category of being a minor fad, or will it be a place to display legends controlling their cars."

We? Where does "we" fit into this if you are not part of the industry as a pro-driver, organizer or promoter?

"One day this sport will become obsolete...."

Isn't that a good thing for a person such as yourself?

Just an observation....

Naoki
www.driftday.com

DD, I actually enjoy drifting, just for the sheer pleasure, not for anything else.

[Weapon X]

bump

[Wickdmarz]

Well I understand that being the consumer we can make some kind of difference. Perhaps the wet shirt contests and booty shaking, but think they ones that just jumped on the band wagon would want to promote the booty wagging.

Being a female in a sport shames me that other women rather show off their body then drive and have a good time. It's rather discouraging to other women in the sport, because they won't get any where in the sport unless they have fake tits and show off their thongs to get sponsors, or have naked pictures online.

Sex shouldn't have any part in motorsports, street crap can have it but keep it off the track. When sex is involved favoritism and sexism comes to play and everyone can already see it happening.

But I think drifting will be here to stay even if its fades underground again. People won't stop doing the things they love.

[gogg]

Re: Editorial: Drifting at its worst

Originally posted by TougeWarrior
...drifting will fade away like a fad. ..., but also will grow into a massive orgy of pornographic images...

This statement is a direct contradiction to itself. Just thought I should point that out.

[dae]

if you dont like drifting dont drift. i hope it does die and only the people left are the ones who do it because they love it .

[DustThis]

We at Jasper Performance agree. Keep the NOPI Scene and Drifting away form each other.

[nasty nate 7]

Originally posted by dae
if you dont like drifting dont drift. i hope it does die and only the people left are the ones who do it because they love it .

he wasnt stating he doesnt like drifting, hes giving feedback on what he sees at the events and how all of that bs isnt necessary man. take it easy, i too agree that i would only like to see drifting ONLY. none of this showy stuff with half naked girls and celebs who dont give a shet about the sport. stuff like that rather seems pointless and has no class in professional motorsport/racing world. i would like to see drifting grow and become more of a motorsport but all we can do is watch and see what happens

[LOVMUFN]

First off, drifting did not start in the 'mountainous roads of Japan,' it has been done just about as long as cars have been racing (and probably longer) and if its current form had stayed there, I'm sure you would still be picking your nose watching "Rad" trying to remember when BMX was still grassroots. I can't say I like the 'import scene,' but I will also not sit here and say it degrades women when they choose to do what they do at events. The fan base for drifting has a great majority of young people and, to make money, which is why any company would back anything, they market to young people. Given demographic studies, the people that spend the money, or the people with parents that will shell some out, want to see what there is at big drifting venues. Internet BBS systems let so many people remain anonymous; I would not be surprised if half the people on here that say, "Drifting should have remained grassroots. Like when I used to hit the togue. Blah, blah." for e-credit, are the same people that chase around the models with cameras wanting them to sign their shirt or some crap. 5-years deep speeches are bad enough in real life when you are sitting there watch the person lie through their teeth, then reading it on the internet just shows how attention hungry some people are. Another example is at drift events when people are so concerned with taping their lic. plate because there is a TV crew that says they will only tape cars that have no lic. plate or tape over the numbers, they don't go to the drivers' meeting. Then they follow the camera around when they drive making sure they hit the course only when the video guys are taping that course. Those are the same people that sit in their office chair and say, "Drifting was better when it was grassroots." then, "Woot bling, shebang, I am in a video." Then they go out and buy the Teckademics video because they are in it. Supporting what they say it so evil. It is one thing to preach a way of being, it is another to live it. And for most of the 'if it stayed in the mountains' guys it is even a step down from just preaching it, you preach it anonymously. Bottom line is, if you don't like events, don't go, people don't like your attitude, they don't believe your lies, and pretty much just don't like you. The rest of us that REALLY love drifting, do it despite the way the scene is going, it does not make driving any less fun. Just because I go to an event where some half naked girl is walking around with her *Censored**Censored**Censored* hanging out, loud music is playing and the word 'yo' is used more times than at a yo-yo factory, does not mean I have to stare at the *Censored**Censored**Censored*, dig the music and play with my yo-yo. I can still go, hang out with some good guys and gals, and have a great time. A few people that don't like it are smashed by the crowds that do. It is bringing a ton of money into the sport and giving a lot of good drivers the opportunity to become great drivers with factory sponsorships and cars to drive. Is Alex Pfeiffer any less American drifting grassroots because he drivers for RS*R, is Andy with JIC? No, they are still the same great guys with an opportunity to drive great cars. From some people the attitude seems to be, "If I can't get sponsored, it is not cool, they sold out." It is like that with almost every sport where sponsorships are given. Grow up.

I am Richard, I tech for Drift Assoc. (www.driftday.com).

[707_ViCiOuS]

awhile ago someone said on here that, the nice thing about drifting is that the newbs and posers get weeded out real fast. so i dont think you should worry too much.

[Weapon X]

Hey now, Rad was an awesome movie. That dance scene is classic. Gimme an aaaangel.

[mechaniac]

don't matter to me. Having money shoveled into the scene is good for it. If you don't want to take part in it, then don't. Just continue to drift where you use to, do what you've always done. Having a professional....er somewhat professional venue just helps people make a living out of doing what they love. Can't see anything wrong with that.

But for the guys who are totally offended that "drifting" has succombed to the masses and media, and is being whored out like a five dolla hooker, go back to your parking lots and don't mind anyone else.

Drifting may or may not be a fad. We won't know until a couple more years. We'll see.

But one thing I can guarantee. I'll still be driving, drifting, doing the same *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored* I was doing before the scene blew up. (Just doing it better)

[Boozesozoku]

i think definately some people take this way too seriously. If you like it, just go out and have fun, why is there always a need to feel popular or "in the scene"? I think Formula D is doing a lot better than changes i've seen in D1 over the past 3 or 4 years. Just like Hariguchi getting out of D1 cause he is tired of all the sh1t, if you know what videos to buy, you will still see him tearing it up at amatuer drift comps and practice sessions against total nobodies... and why? cause he doesn't care, its just a fun thing to do. Also, most people on here don't remember how you had to wait 5 months to get coilovers for 86 Corollas 3 years ago, because they had to be individually shipped over, or how "JDM" body kits cost 3x as much as they do now. You may hate the money and advertising being dumped in, but its this attention to drifting that is opening up a lot of doors in the industry and also making it easier to acquire more parts and knowledge.

I do agree with the point that the car shows and DJ's and booty girls is kinda out of place. I think drifting is way more of a true motorsport than just a car show, and in that point, there is no DJ's with breakdancers at a WRC Stage, just the driving (although there are still the umbrella girls, they are more classy, and not pouring water over their white tshirts while 10 year olds stand there).

If your tired of the commercialization, support grassroots events more like DriftDay, DGTrials, LookoutDrift, etc... and only attend those. You don't always have to be a "superstar #1" whatever at everything, or go home... there IS a happy medium. For me atleast, I hold this to be true. I MAY try a Formula D later on down the road, but for now Im happy just going out to a track or lot every month to hang out with friends and do some driving, and not having to worry about impressing sponsors, or being compeititive all the time.

From the stand point of Formula D and the drivers, personally knowing Chris, Tony, and JR since before they came up, gives me a sense of pride and excitement. These guys were nothing 2 years ago, and worked very hard and long to achieve their skill and get the breaks that they did, and Im happy to watch them and see them succeed. To me, they are and will continue to be the same guys that I can just IM when bored to crack jokes, go party it up, work on cars with, or just shoot the crap with. Your perception of people in the spotlight only changes if you let it. Every Formula D or important industry person Ive met in the past two years seems to me atleast, a very cool and down to earth guy. I think the public just has these build up expectations of how people should be. Honestly, 99% of drifters don't make enough money at all to even remotely change into that "movie star" persona where people expect them to be snobby and a d1ck. I seriously hope drifting doesn't go away, but things always change... whether you change with it or not, is really your individual choice. There will always be alternatives.

Collin - DGTrials Staff

[CrazyHawaiian]

I think this is just a bunch of complaining. If you dont like that representation of the sport, then dont goto those events. Its as simple as that. Sure the event will still happen, and all those horrible things will happen, but who cares. This sport isn't about what other people think, its about you having fun. Does it really affect you if there is a booty contest at some drifting event? This is retarded and complaining about it on the Internet accomplishes nothing. The only way a booty contest would ever screw up drifting for me was if they held the contest in the middle of my favorite spot after midnight and blocked the road.

[NismoSigma]

You brought some good points up, but as far as the 240SX the new civic, it might seem kinda farfetched. Even if it was though, it will become just like it is in the world. ALOT of people will drive ugly rice 240sx (just like most civics) and than there will be the ones that use the 240sx STRICTLY for racing. Its like that for almost every car you see degradaded. Well as far as the woman thing is concerned, thats up to the person who is participating. If they want to go up there and strut theyre stuff in front of 100 little ricetastic perv's, well thats on them.

[my 1 88 u]

Originally posted by LOVMUFN
First off, drifting did not start in the 'mountainous roads of Japan

Drifting as a technique did not, but a culture of car guys hitting the hills, having fun connecting turn to turn side ways every night is japanese born. Taking those same skills to the track for judged runs and tandem battles is japanese born. The biggest beef I have with the American drifting scene is that it is increasingly becoming a spectater sport rather than an inclusive one. I respect what you driftday and dg trial guys are doing, but drifting cant survive without its base, and that base is (OMFG I"m about to say it) Illegal street/mountain drifting.