(ADDRESSING RUMORS) ASD 2013 Season

[MonkeySlide]

pointless arguing over the internet.

Best gif ever.

[D1 DRIFTER]

pointless arguing over the internet.

[my 1 88 u]

Good questions and drift publications suck. There are about 20 Japanese drivers that disappeared and no one asks the questions.

[Bebop]

@5150

I put 75% of the of the blame on the Sponsors and the other 25% on FD and the American drift media. I get frustrated when driver A has a better resume then driver B but driver B is getting sponsors supper while driver A gets nothing. I'm not afraid to say it, I was extremely bitter when Nishida was almost left without a ride all together when Dean Kearney and EOS were getting rides in championship proven cars. And the drifting media did not say sh*t, FD promotes mostly drivers who have sponsors that support the actual series, and the drifting media is too busy talking about what no name driver got busted for drug possesion. "I can't think of any racing body that were more than half of the field is compeditive 100%" that's a really vague statement that has a lot of loopholes in and around it but when it comes to FD I think it would be a hell of alot more competitive and most of all alot more exciting if series still had all their podium proven drivers.

Your comments about how you dont belive investors are leaving drifting are really ironic. You think Sam just really wanted to go and do off road and thats why Dodge abadanond the drift program? Can I sell you a bridge? If dodge wanted to stay in drifting they would of stuck someone else in the Challenger and kept the good times rolling. They obviously wanted out of FD and Sam the career oriented driver he is just went where ever they told him. Did I mention Sam OWNED the team in its final years? Its kind of funny how he does not drive for Dodge in Rally car but still can get more support to drive over there then over here. Noticed how Rockstar came into FD supporting Dai, then went with Tanner... and left with tanner and hasnt been back since? Notice how Redbull was with Rhys since day 2, then became FD official drink, then sponsord the world championship, then left as FD's official drink, then sponsord Gardella, then left both teams becoming out of the series all together?

I'm not saying at all that FD is going to die or is in great strife. But if these facts don't raise red flags you have to be naive as all hell or just trying to play damage control. But what I'm trying to find out is why these companies choose to leave in the first place? What was not right? Were they not getting enough exposure, if memory serves me right Red Bull left as a series sponsor right when FD switched networks over to Versus. I'm not trying shed some sort of negative light on the series, this stuff scares the crap out of me as a fan of the sport in general.

Oh and this just popped in my head as well.

Remember that Stephan Verdier guy, one of the brokest drivers in FD showing up to events with no crew just him and his car. Had a few different well known sponsors but none of them seemed to stick. He managed a win back in like 09, Left FD in 2011 for Rally still as a Privateer. A little less then 2 years later and I heard the guy aint doing too bad for himself, driving a factory back Hyundai sponsored by Disney I heard.

[5150 Cruiser]

So 5150 from what I gather and correct me if I am wrong....Would you agree that drifting is merely a stepping stone for "real" motorsports that generate more profit and opportunity? And if so would you agree that drifting and possibly Formula D will never be large enough to generate a lot of profit for drivers so they will continue to move on to "real" motorsports?

Just curious?

To some extent i agree. Like it or not, drifting is still considered one of the lower tear forms of motor sports in the U.S. by many in the industry. So for some, yes. It is a stepping stone to advance their career. But that doesn't mean you can't be successful and make drifting a career. I believe JR, JTP, and others are full time drivers.
But in all honesty, unless you podium every race, or at least a good majority of the season, your not going to last long and at some point are going to have to start looking for other opportunities.
Will FD one day be large enough to support most of their drivers full time? Maybe one day. But as of right now, no. But it really is going to end up depending on the drivers just like any motor sports. If you want a full time ride, then you need to work your *Censored**Censored**Censored* off and prove your worth the money.

Only reason I ask is because obviously Tanner for example decided to keep his rally career going but abandoned the idea that one day Formula D would be large enough to pay the bills. Granted there were schedule clashes but IDK seems it came down to rally or drift as far as his career is concerned and he chose rally.

Just thinking out loud.

I agree 100%.

LOL, all I hear is numbers and dollars signs from FD. At least my opinions have real facts, names behind them.

Because that's the reality of the situation. If you don't want to accept that then that's not FD's fault.

Drivers aren't numbers to me and sponsor arent just dollar signs. Too busy to make a big long response sorry.

Right. Any other day of the weeks you would have found the time to make your point. But in the end as you and I both said..

Ford wanted Tanner in Rally, and Dodge wanted Sam in Off Road.

...And there's your answer.

[Bebop]

LOL, all I hear is numbers and dollars signs from FD. At least my opinions have real facts, names behind them. Drivers aren't numbers to me and sponsor arent just dollar signs. Too busy to make a big long response sorry.

Ford wanted Tanner in Rally, and Dodge wanted Sam in Off Road.

[Slapshotnerd]

Only reason I ask is because obviously Tanner for example decided to keep his rally career going but abandoned the idea that one day Formula D would be large enough to pay the bills. Granted there were schedule clashes but IDK seems it came down to rally or drift as far as his career is concerned and he chose rally.

Just thinking out loud.

I know that at least part of the decision to keep rally over drifting was dictated by the sponsors. Ford / Rockstar are footing most (if not all) of the bill related to Tanner's Rally program, and those sponsors have other goals when it comes to drifting.

I remember hearing something that Tanner was the only Rockstar athlete to win gold at the 2007 X Games, and that Rockstar pretty much vowed to support Tanner in X Games as long as he wants to continue competing because of that. I don't think anyone can deny that the visibility for X-games is larger than FD when it comes to the global tv audience (especially since it's a 1-weekend live broadcast), so you can't really blame a sponsor like Rockstar for making that decision.

Ford clearly is still involved in FD and spending money with JR and JTP, so it's not like they aren't supportive of drifting. They just may not have enough money or interest to bankroll 3 cars.

[stedriftward]

So 5150 from what I gather and correct me if I am wrong....Would you agree that drifting is merely a stepping stone for "real" motorsports that generate more profit and opportunity? And if so would you agree that drifting and possibly Formula D will never be large enough to generate a lot of profit for drivers so they will continue to move on to "real" motorsports?

Just curious?

Only reason I ask is because obviously Tanner for example decided to keep his rally career going but abandoned the idea that one day Formula D would be large enough to pay the bills. Granted there were schedule clashes but IDK seems it came down to rally or drift as far as his career is concerned and he chose rally.

Just thinking out loud.

[ztkrevolution]

[5150 Cruiser]

Wholly smokes 55 drivers OMG!!!! But whats the percentage of them who are competitive? Well that would lead to a answer based on oppinion. How about how many statisticly are going to return next year, or in two years? Those numbers are real nice but I prefer quality over quantity.

I'm sure everyone would love that too. But that's just not reality. Off the top of my head I can't think of any racing body that were more than half of the field is compeditive 100% of the time. I don't see how you can expect any different from Forumla D.

Me and you both know that these ex champions and podium finishers arent just getting up and saying "I dont feel like drifting anymore". For some odd reason some of big investors are turning there back on drifting and the rest of money isnt always following the talent.

Your ussualy pretty knowledgable when it comes to all things drift, but you can't seriously sit there and believe that "investors" are just turning there backs on drifting.
Tanner's a pretty busy guy these days with rally, Xgames, Top Gear and the sort and that doesn't leave a whole lot of room to comit to Drifting. If your not going to comit, then your not going to get sponors to back you. End of story.
Sam wanted to give (i believe, i could be wrong) Off road truck driving a shot. Again, schedule conflits. Concidering he wasn't doing that well with the Challenger he decided to try another avenue.
These aren't secerts. This is how it works for many in the racing world. I don't know if its your love of drifting that makes you think things would work different or what but i'm not seeing a problem other than natural progression.





This might just be my oppinion but I would rather have those 12 podium finishers back in the series then then a bunch of doomed from the start rookies and mid level bracket squaters.

Its funny how one can admit there is a shortage money in D1 and that's why Americans wont go, but deny the fact there is a shortage of money in FD and that's why drivers are drooping out.



LOL we don't need to go that far. But my opinion is rare these days anyways, but I do ask this treat the folks who come on here and say things like "f*ck formula D" and walk away with the same gratitude and admiralty you show me. [/QUOTE]

[Formula D]

Why am I quoting your self?

You are? You argued drivers were ducking. We clearly showed that isn't the case and then explained what the reality was. You now have conceded that point and now you are agreeing with us, going against your original premise.

Wholly smokes 55 drivers OMG!!!! But whats the percentage of them who are competitive? Well that would lead to a answer based on oppinion. How about how many statisticly are going to return next year, or in two years? Those numbers are real nice but I prefer quality over quantity. Me and you both know that these ex champions and podium finishers arent just getting up and saying "I dont feel like drifting anymore". For some odd reason some of big investors are turning there back on drifting and the rest of money isnt always following the talent. This might just be my oppinion but I would rather have those 12 podium finishers back in the series then then a bunch of doomed from the start rookies and mid level bracket squaters.

Its funny how one can admit there is a shortage money in D1 and that's why Americans wont go, but deny the fact there is a shortage of money in FD and that's why drivers are drooping out.

So your original statement was:

But why are so many drivers gone?

and:

Why are so many good proven drivers out of rides?

I answered the first one pretty clearly, so if now your emphasis on the later is with respect to "good" drivers, all I need to do is point out the fact that FD was the first (and I believe still the only) series to expand to top 32 Tandem; a clear indication of expanding talent and driver pool. That talent and competitiveness has only gotten more progressive over the years to the point where Top 32 in 2012 is arguably as exciting as Top 16 in years past. So in short the evidence shows that a large portion of the field is competitive.

It should also be pointed out there are athletes in every sport that make it to the "bigs" and then are unable to maintain that level. It's got nothing to do with:

For some odd reason some of big investors are turning there back on drifting and the rest of money isnt always following the talent

With all due respect, you simply don't know what you are talking about.

But my opinion is rare these days anyways

It is? You could have fooled me and probably this entire forum.

Hope that cleared things up. Good talk

[Bebop]

Ooops, glitch in the matrix.

[Bebop]

Ya, so what? That doesn't discredit what both myself and ASD said at all. Fact of the matter is that if there was a want/need and money to go compete in Japan, teams would. You have two reliable sources telling you that now and I would bet you that any driver would come on here and say the same thing.

If I was a millionaire I would foot the transportation to get you guys out there in a heartbeat, but sadly I doubt there isn't enough interest for a fund to get you guys to D1.

Why am I quoting your self?

Why are so may drivers gone, you say? This is part of the reason it's not worth replying sometimes because a statement like that isn't anywhere near logical. Our car counts are at all time high's. Some events we can't even accept as many drivers that try to register.... 55 drivers in a professional series? Basically unheard of. Pro-Am events around the country are brimming. Requests for new groups to become a licensed series has become a department within itself essentially and being a driver in one of the pro-am series is actually pretty awesome these days. In short, there are no shortage of drivers right now.

Why are you surprised when drivers move on to other things? Sam, Tanner drive other events and series. Ya, what is so crazy about that? As a driver you look at what opportunities afford you and you go from there. Those two drivers are also very unique and non-typical scenarios and not to be generalized in, "wow, another key driver left FD." No, those drivers had crazy tenure in terms of years and they moved on to other things because it was the right thing for their lives, not in anyway because drifting is decaying, as you put it. In light of all the evidence, which in plentiful and available to anyone, that is a not a statement that can stand up.

Wholly smokes 55 drivers OMG!!!! But whats the percentage of them who are competitive? Well that would lead to a answer based on oppinion. How about how many statisticly are going to return next year, or in two years? Those numbers are real nice but I prefer quality over quantity. Me and you both know that these ex champions and podium finishers arent just getting up and saying "I dont feel like drifting anymore". For some odd reason some of big investors are turning there back on drifting and the rest of money isnt always following the talent. This might just be my oppinion but I would rather have those 12 podium finishers back in the series then then a bunch of doomed from the start rookies and mid level bracket squaters.

Its funny how one can admit there is a shortage money in D1 and that's why Americans wont go, but deny the fact there is a shortage of money in FD and that's why drivers are drooping out.

Also, next time you defend us, I will come on here and say thanks. Even though that would be weird, but if you insist, I am happy to do it.

Finally, I will make this offer to you.... Since you have a great eye to see the current state of drifting, if you would want to, write down your suggestions and/or observations and I would be happy to publicly reply to them. We can have some public banter and perhaps service the community with open dialogue in a public setting.

LOL we don't need to go that far. But my opinion is rare these days anyways, but I do ask this treat the folks who come on here and say things like "f*ck formula D" and walk away with the same gratitude and admiralty you show me.

[Formula D]

No american team has ever sent a car to Japan - FACT

Only 1 current FD driver from America has driven in D1 Japan -FACT

Only 2 D1 transplanted drivers have failed to taste a FD podium - FACT

Formula D teams are fielding cars in other countries and series but not Japan - FACT

In 2009 when "D1" held a event in Anaheim and only 2 FD licensed drivers showed up -FACT

FD drivers, and employees still wrongly discredit D1 (look at slapshot's post) - FACT

This is how I base my opinion my opinion is not fact. Aren't you the one who taught me that?

Ya, so what? That doesn't discredit what both myself and ASD said at all. Fact of the matter is that if there was a want/need and money to go compete in Japan, teams would. You have two reliable sources telling you that now and I would bet you that any driver would come on here and say the same thing.

Why are so may drivers gone, you say? This is part of the reason it's not worth replying sometimes because a statement like that isn't anywhere near logical. Our car counts are at all time high's. Some events we can't even accept as many drivers that try to register.... 55 drivers in a professional series? Basically unheard of. Pro-Am events around the country are brimming. Requests for new groups to become a licensed series has become a department within itself essentially and being a driver in one of the pro-am series is actually pretty awesome these days. In short, there are no shortage of drivers right now.

Why are you surprised when drivers move on to other things? Sam, Tanner drive other events and series. Ya, what is so crazy about that? As a driver you look at what opportunities afford you and you go from there. Those two drivers are also very unique and non-typical scenarios and not to be generalized in, "wow, another key driver left FD." No, those drivers had crazy tenure in terms of years and they moved on to other things because it was the right thing for their lives, not in anyway because drifting is decaying, as you put it. In light of all the evidence, which in plentiful and available to anyone, that is a not a statement that can stand up.

As a driver, you have to be able to not only be competitive but also able to run a program, be a great marketer, have great people working behind you and continue to progress with the series. If you don't have that, you might be in trouble. There can be all the funding in the world coming into the series, but if you don't have all the ingredients, eventually that will become evident. That doesn't mean that I think the amount of money coming in for teams is "perfect" at all. No, we are just barely getting going as far as I can tell and marketers and people are just barely opening their eyes to this sport. Those in it now, the sponsors you see now, are the early adopters who could see what this sport is now and can be in the future.

Also, next time you defend us, I will come on here and say thanks. Even though that would be weird, but if you insist, I am happy to do it.

Finally, I will make this offer to you.... Since you have a great eye to see the current state of drifting, if you would want to, write down your suggestions and/or observations and I would be happy to publicly reply to them. We can have some public banter and perhaps service the community with open dialogue in a public setting.

[my 1 88 u]

There should be a meme that says: Bebop - Talking nonsense and driving drifting forums crazy since 2004.

Let's be clear, if you are a driver/drifter, you are a competitor. That means you compete against others like you. Not one D1 driver or FD driver ducks each other or visa versa. You really can't believe that, can you? Vaughn, Chris, Rhys, Tuerck, Dai, Aasbo, Powers.. afraid? Come on, really?

I can explain to you very easily why drivers go an compete in other series. It's simply a matter of value and money, as ASD clearly stated and is widely known.

The reason there is a lopsided number of D1 drivers coming here to compete in the FD rather than FD to D1 is simply because the US is the largest media market in the world and FD is the largest series here. This market moves products and gets you noticed, not only here but globally. That has been true for some time and that is why globally it has been easier for us to get a foothold. We are served globally via major and endemic media, live stream and our TV show is in most major media markets globally.

This has nothing to do with FD drivers scared to drift against D1 drivers. Any thinking person can see that and it really discredits your perspective if you take that position even remotely seriously. By your own admission and posting, you show events where both drivers have competed against each other. If that is "calling it how you see it", I hate to say it, but you need to clean those glasses there son.

I just want to see you guys at Ebisu.