D1GP DIRECTOR QUITs.....

[Tracy]

Tracy - ............

1st, when I speak of drag racing, I think the people in "our" industry only think of sport compact/import drag racing. There are several other forms of drag racing that do extremely well. How about Funny Car and Top Fuel, just to name 2. I watch those all of the time and the turn out is amazing.

2ndly, We haven't gotten paid for 1 single demo.......
Dan and I came out of pocket for everything we did this year. We recieved money from NO ONE! We got a few free parts and some free tires. I'm flattered that our percieved value is so big, which is what we hoped for, but we went broke trying to get our name out there. We'll see if it worked. It was a huge risk for us. We spent everything we ever had trying to make it work. Are we pro drivers after all of this??? NO. Will we be??? I don't know. Maybe if we can make it out to Irwindale for a qualifier. I could be confused about the pro-am thing...which I think a lot of people are. It is my understanding that you have to travel the series to go to the big event at the end where pro licenses will be given out.

Luckily for us, we own a shop and it makes sense for us to take off of work to go drifting every weekend. People with jobs like Andy Sapp and Erin Sanford find it a little harder. Dan and I don't have to ask for days off...and in the end, magazine/TV coverage helps our shop. So it's not all a loss if we don't make it big as drifters...heart breaking but not a "total" loss. We can write it off as advertising for our company and feel ok about all of the money we "lost" if we don't make it. No one was willing to make it happen for us, so we went out on a limb and made it happen for ourselves.

In the end, I just want to drive! I have come to love drifting very much. I jones for it when I don't have an event to go to. It's changed my life. Pretty much everything I do now a days revolves around it. I also want it to be accessible for the people on my side of the country. I have worked very hard at trying to accomplish this. Dan and I have come out of pocket to throw amateur drift events/practice here in Atlanta. Another huge risk for us to take in the name of the sport. It's turning out pretty well, luckily. My fear is that now that we (and others here in Atlanta such as DG Trials) have provided an outlet for drifters to drive, they are hungry for more ad have no way to progress.....we don't allow tandem at this time. I hear people in this thread talking about how there aren't enough skilled people to support another series. I see it so differently. I see a lot of people with great talent without any resources The concern about whether or not the new series will be "about the drivers" is understandable. I'm hoping to help make sure that it turns out that way. I AM A DRIVER. THAT'S WHERE MY INTEREST LIE....WITH THE DRIVERS. I thik that's one of the reasons our series has beenvery sucessful. We kept it about the drivers and not about getting rich. I listen to everythig they say and I feel them, because I am one of them.

Like I already said, I don't care who makes it happen here onthe East Coast. Really. I WOULD BE HAPPY IF FD DECIDED TO DO AN EAST COAST SERIES. I DON'T CARE WHO DOES IT! I JUST WANT US TO BE ABLE DRIVE ON A COMPETITIVE LEVEL OVER HERE! I want myself and others like me to be able to enjoy and progress in drifting. I don't think that's too much to ask. I don't think it's fair for everyone to get all pissy about it. How many ofthe pro guys live here on the East Coast? Not that many. Several started here, but didn't stay. I can only think that's Because it was more efficient for them to be on the West Coast. I'm not trying to *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored* block anyone and I don't stand toget rich from any of this. If FD is the prestige series, then so be it. I have no problems with that (in fact, I would love to have a FD license. I'm just not sure it's a reality). How's about doing more events over here then.

I totally understand why everyone is concerned. The same type of thing happened when we started our series here in Atlanta. Some people thought there wasn't enough driver interest to have two amateur/practice series. WEll the fact is, both of them are doing fine and are prospering.

I hope ya'll undertsand and thanks for listening (yes I said ya'll ).

[Slapshotnerd]

Tracy - i would venture to say that the induction of multiple drag racing sanctioning bodies actually hurt the sport more than it helped. It spread sponsor dollars thin and forced racers to have to choose which series to run. In fact, if the company that I'm thinking about does start the drifting series that i've heard they will be starting, it will be almost identical. A 'national' series based on the west coast vs a series based largely on the east coast run by a parts warehouse. The fact of the matter is that the 'west coast' series has much more prestiege and has been around longer, and is much more focused on the actual drivers as opposed to the parts company which is more known for the 'party' atmosphere and sometimes their lax tech.

What ends up happening in either case is that the best-funded teams come in and clean up in both series, as we've seen in Nopi / NHRA the past few years. The duality of racing series hasn't changed the end result, the same people dominate both series, they just lose even MORE money because they are spending double (or sometimes triple the money because they're spending double the gas to get from one event in one series to the next event in the other series on the other side of the country the next week). Both series have TV coverage, but they both really only cover the final rounds (and sometimes the semi finals) of the pro classes. The sportsman racer still doesn't get publicity, and even if they do, they get knocked out soon enough.

Look at who's been winning NOPI - Ara Arslanian, justin humphries, clutchmasters, big greek / lil greek (efantis racing), gary gardella, etc... Who isn't winning? Brttney Kindle, Brent Rau, Len Maserat, Manny Cruz, etc. The rich are getting richer, the poor are still breaking their cars and not getting paid out because they aren't winning in NDRA, and the magazines / tv shows are only covering the big dogs. How does this help the problem? it doesn't. Especially when the bikini contest girls are making money just to show up while the drag racers are losing money.

I spent 2 years working for a magazine that covered drag racing and especially the little guys. I've seen what happened in that industry, and FIRMLY believe that the best way for drifting to flourish is to have 1 series and focus all the major sponsors at that series, not try and split them up between multiple events. Drifting thankfully has a much wider spectator appeal than import / sport compact drag racing did, and there is still a balance between the factory-backed teams and the privateers (evident by Tanner, Dai, and Okubo winning events in FD this year). sure, there is a huge riff between the top 20 or so drivers and the rest of the field. But there is a large number of grass roots events, and more are happening every year. Here in California, there was an event almost every other weekend. I've heard that there are events almost once a month in Atlanta, events happening regularly in Portland, NJ, Chicago, Texas, Fl, and several other places. If you want to drift and get better, events are out there.

Tracy - you're a prime example of this. You've secured some sponsors for your car, and are doing pretty decent for a privateer. You're getting paid to do demos at some events, you're helping to organize events to help grow the skill of the amateur drivers in your area, you're running a shop to provide those drifters with the best parts possible. Drag racers weren't getting paid to do 'demos' when drag racing was starting out, and outside of the top 10 drag racers back in the day, sponsors were almost impossible to obtain. Drifting is doing a lot better than drag racing ever did, and people are trying to take a piece of the pie and run with it. I really don't think that's a great idea, especially at this stage.

[hatebbobbarker]

Chick? LOL. That's cute.

It's not a tire company I never mentioned that it was a tire company


Also I don't think it's such a bad thing that other companies are thinking of starting another series. Actually, I don't care who does it as long as it's on my side of the Country I just want to drive and I would like it to be at least semi-affordable. I would also like to be able to run my business here in Atlanta and drive at the same time. With FD concentrating most of it's events on the West Coast, I just can't make it and keep my business up and running. I would basically have to move to Cali if I were to get a pro license and wanted to compete.

There are several organizations that do drag racing, the sport is doing just fine and has been for MANY years. I don't understand why people think that more than one organization is going to kill the sport. If anything there are people out there like the guys on my team who MAY be good enough to be pros, but don't live in Cali. I read a lot of people saying there isn't enough good drivers. I beg to differ. I say there isn't enough venues to drift. Seat tme and money is a key factor in becomming a good driver. You unfortunately can't get good with out seat time and you can't get seat time with out money to travel for most people in the country right now. It's just a fact. More outlets may provide for more good drifters on a professional level. It's a little different here in Atlanta as far as the amateur events go, we have plenty of those. The thing is, some people here are getting good thanks to all pf the provided seat time and want to be pro.

I also think that the Pro AM thing may be a bit unattainable for most amateurs. You have to travel the country on a private budget to uncovered events (what I mean by that is no one wants to $$$ sponsor a driver that goes to events where there is no TV/Mag coverage) to get a pro license. I can say for myself that's going to be a bit hard for us and we have sponsors. I mean even in drag racing you only have to do 6 consistent passes at 1 event to get a pro license in the presence of your peers. They don't make you do an entire series that spreads the country to get one.

I completely understand the reasoning behind the licensing. Don't get me wrong. I just feel that there has to be a better/affordable way.

you should only haveto travel a long distance to the national qualifier, the regional should be relatively close, although im sure it could be spread out more

[Tracy]

I wonder if this has anything to do with a certain tire company wanting to do their own pro series also?? That Tracy chick from Batlground on Maxxis tires sent out something on myspace.com asking for driver input and crap because an un-named tire company wanted to start a new pro series (or just a series).

Here is the myspace bulletin

Chick? LOL. That's cute.

It's not a tire company I never mentioned that it was a tire company


Also I don't think it's such a bad thing that other companies are thinking of starting another series. Actually, I don't care who does it as long as it's on my side of the Country I just want to drive and I would like it to be at least semi-affordable. I would also like to be able to run my business here in Atlanta and drive at the same time. With FD concentrating most of it's events on the West Coast, I just can't make it and keep my business up and running. I would basically have to move to Cali if I were to get a pro license and wanted to compete.

There are several organizations that do drag racing, the sport is doing just fine and has been for MANY years. I don't understand why people think that more than one organization is going to kill the sport. If anything there are people out there like the guys on my team who MAY be good enough to be pros, but don't live in Cali. I read a lot of people saying there isn't enough good drivers. I beg to differ. I say there isn't enough venues to drift. Seat tme and money is a key factor in becomming a good driver. You unfortunately can't get good with out seat time and you can't get seat time with out money to travel for most people in the country right now. It's just a fact. More outlets may provide for more good drifters on a professional level. It's a little different here in Atlanta as far as the amateur events go, we have plenty of those. The thing is, some people here are getting good thanks to all pf the provided seat time and want to be pro.

I also think that the Pro AM thing may be a bit unattainable for most amateurs. You have to travel the country on a private budget to uncovered events (what I mean by that is no one wants to $$$ sponsor a driver that goes to events where there is no TV/Mag coverage) to get a pro license. I can say for myself that's going to be a bit hard for us and we have sponsors. I mean even in drag racing you only have to do 6 consistent passes at 1 event to get a pro license in the presence of your peers. They don't make you do an entire series that spreads the country to get one.

I completely understand the reasoning behind the licensing. Don't get me wrong. I just feel that there has to be a better/affordable way.

[akuma S14]

slappy=lol
as far as a local series:

I would like to see more amatuer competition too.
It would be awesome.
sorry for jacking this thread. time for a pm!

[hatebbobbarker]

I was just gonna post "whatever" after the crap that was FD yesterday. If someone wants to start a local amateur series, hell yeah! Id definitely drive in it too. As for a pro series, there are barely enough "pro" drivers for FD. I'd say there aren't enough to be honest, so starting another series would be both pointless and annoying. It would end up strangling the sport, FD is still mostly privateers they need a chance to be bigger.

[Slapshotnerd]

I see you point and it's a good one at that. I don't think anybody is going to supplant FD as the premier series in USA. They are doing a fine job of running it. I can agree with that.
Terry

ok, don't ever agree with me again. that was too wierd j/k

[akuma S14]

I see you point and it's a good one at that. I don't think anybody is going to supplant FD as the premier series in USA. They are doing a fine job of running it. I can agree with that.
Terry

[Slapshotnerd]

to say that they aren't making a living is one thing. But I don't think jim/ryan/the rest of the staff are "ballin".

Terry - I know that you aren't throwing events to stuff your pockets full of money. You also aren't helping other companies out because you think that you can get rich that way. You do it for the love of the sport and to help out your drifting friends. I remember you mentioning at a recent event (unnamed) that you actually spend money out of your own pocket to take care of your guys. And honestly, I commend you for that! that's why your guys are so faithful to you!

Using that same mentality, I think that FD is doing what they can to take care of their drivers. Obviously, they aren't going to go bankrupt to take care of their drivers, they have to keep the lights on. But they aren't making promises they can't keep / lining their own pockets in gold / writing checks without money in the bank like other companies are.... i think you feel me on that.

[akuma S14]

"It took years for Drag racing to make half the headway that drifting has made in far less time, and drifting is still bigger than sport compact drag racing ever was."

LOL. Slappy - sometimes you say some real good stuff and other times it seems like you enjoy swinging from FD's nuts.
To say that these guys are not in it for the money is like saying Greenpeace is not in it for the trees, or Your not in it for the photos. Get realistic.

[Slapshotnerd]

Its not a Tire Company who is doing it. Think Atlanta and think much much bigger! If the rumours I hear are true these guys have about half a mil from a major corporate sponsor already, and are proven event marketers!

Just heard some rumors today about this... thing is, if it's the company I think it is, then they've always tried to be the 'other' guys... and if their events are along the same lines as other events they have thrown, they will be A) east coast, B) centered more around the 'lifestyle' and atmosphere than the compatition, and C) in a lot of smaller markets. The good thing is that the event promotor is well known for payouts, but I don't think they'll be taking over Formula D anytime soon.

FD had a little mini version of their SEMA speech yesterday, in which they mentioned what was coming up for next year. Nothing super crazy was announced (same number of events, more champ car events, FD Amateur series would be stepped up), other than a 'team drifting championship in conjunction with the Champ Car events'. I also heard a rumor of a drifting series landing a contract with a major broadcast television station, but I wouldn't bet on that one in vegas...

Ryan from FD did say something very important at the meeting though - if any of the FD staff were in it for the money, then they would have resigned after day 1. These guys are so incredibly dedicated to the slow, steady, and proper growth of the sport that they are willing to do almost anything 'in the best interest of the sport'. Look at where drifting in the US has come in 3 years. Their alliances with Champ Car / EA Games / G4 TV / all the tire companies / OEM manufacturer backed teams / all the other non endemic companies are all huge accomplishments in the sport. It took years for Drag racing to make half the headway that drifting has made in far less time, and drifting is still bigger than sport compact drag racing ever was.

I still think that there are pieces of the drifting 'pie' to go around, but people need to leave Formula D alone as the leader of the pack. They don't need to be 'put into check' just yet...

[GBC]

Half a mil is enough to have two teams, hardly a "field." I did some more searching and made some updates to my article. I was wrong about NASCAR, and real money, being involved with DRIFTCAR.

Looks like it will still be a while before more then a handful of drifters can "make a living" by just being pro drivers, but don't doubt that it is on the horizon, and will happen.

[akuma S14]

good luck Hideo. I know you have a good heart and put on great shows. It was an honor to work with you. I look forward to working with you again when the time is right.

[ModifiedGuy]

Its not a Tire Company who is doing it. Think Atlanta and think much much bigger! If the rumours I hear are true these guys have about half a mil from a major corporate sponsor already, and are proven event marketers!

I wonder if this has anything to do with a certain tire company wanting to do their own pro series also?? That Tracy chick from Batlground on Maxxis tires sent out something on myspace.com asking for driver input and crap because an un-named tire company wanted to start a new pro series (or just a series).

Here is the myspace bulletin

[Mike Peters]

And well Formula D is getting to the point where its starting to get harder for them to support a ton of drivers. Which is why its much more difficult to get a license now than it was when they first started..

i think the difficulty ( fd qualifier/pro am) was created since there is only so much money and support available to teams, and it was more of an effort to cut down on the bs artists pulling in sponsors, then bailing out after claiming to be FD teams/D1 teams, now there is a cut and dry list of peopel who are eligible to compete, therefore no more of the lies and deciet put out by so many people, which has left a bad taste in a lot of peoples mouths. even though to this day there is still a lot of companies leaving drivers who are barely making it to events in the 1st place hanging after dragging them in the door and making promises they decide not to keep.

with the liscencing/us drift series anything not established and liscenced is a pure gamble, therefore companies will be more likely to support someone who the series knows will be competing and is able to compete, therefore keeping companies who chose to take a risk sponsoring what is still somewhat not 100% accepted, drifting, at least they will get a good driver/team that will represent them well, instead of someone who will never make mainday then bash the series judging when in reality it was their driving ability that came up short, but it doesnt do good things for relations between the series and outside companies.