Formula D - Heading the Wrong Way?

[P1STON2ROTARY]

I saw a couple of advertisements by slipstream on another forum, and I thought to my self, wow. Did Drifting in America just become hot import nights? Well, apparantly it has.
Check out these Impressive ads from Slipstream Global
(FREE ADVERTISING AT ITS FINEST)





So I begin to look at this cleverly designed Ad, And i start to notice things, things really stick out.
I notice they're going to feature, Ryan Dunn, and Buckey Lasek at formula D. Wow? And they're going to have it hot import nights style with more then 300 show cars!?!? Now im thinking, what do any of these things have to do with drifting? I'm not understanding why any of this stuff is being featured? I know for a fact, drifting is about driving, not about import show off. So im really puzzled as to whats going on. What do you think? Does anyone else wonder whats going on? Is this just another money making plot? Does this really advance the sport of drifting? Is this what you want to see at Formula D?

NOTE: I WANT SERIOUS FEEDBACK ONLY, SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE, THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED PROFESSIONALLY. NO BS COMMENTS.

[Weapon X]

This is what was said on another forum regarding this Ad.


Opposite Lock:

I was just up there.

Anyway, this is exactly what I was afraid of. They're bringing all these celebrities that real drifters couldn't give two shakes of their left testicle about, like drifting is some *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored*ing HIN *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored*. I guess it was coming, I mean... Need for Speed: Underground is one of the sponsors. If there was one thing I disliked most about D1 at Irwindale, it was the damn showcars. Since I was sitting in the far stands, I had a hard time making out what the announcer was saying sometimes due to the bass from the damn rice. Oh well, if I want real drifting I'll go to (and participate in) a Slide Your Ride event. Oh, I am. Nevermind then.

Too bad that there are way more posers than purists.







Justin :

The whole "rice" advertisement is disgusting, the worst part about it is, this is our National Drifting Event. Something that should be thought of as respectable and only geared towards driving. Not another import showoff. Capital is the only motive for too many of these people. All I love to do is drive, anyone that pursues drifting should share this mentality, because this is all drifting is about. Now drifting doesnt descriminate, but where are these "celebrities" in place? Why would a car show be featured. Cars are tools of driving, but who gives a *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored* about whats jspec, or jdm front end. Im having trouble identifying with these peoples positive contributions, it all reaks of green. Although presently this doesnt pertain to my driving, I would enjoy seeing this sport grow positively.





Crashdrive:

This is invitable. This is how America portraits Japanese Car (maybe even sport?). Japanese and American are two different cultures. The Americans driving force revolves around money, now I can't say if it's the same in Japan (Lorin?) but I see (IMO) that they are also for the money BUT keeping a balance between the passion and making money without loosing their image as a tuner.

Now I respect show cars too. I see there was a lot of work and time was invested to make a car show finish. But when they start claiming that they are tuners or when they add "RACING" and "Motorsport" in their title, that just makes me sick to my stomach. Also, show cars have their place, but I think it's not on the racing events though. I understand tuners opening up booths in a racing events but OPEN A BOOTH TO REPRESENT YOUR PERFORMANCE PRODUCT! you do not need to add 3 IMPORT MODELS THAT SURROUNDS YOUR BOOTH! WITH A 350Z ON THE SIDE.

BOOTY CONTEST?!?!? in a racing event?! WHY? What's this? People came to an event to see some racing actions not BOOTY... Go to a STRIP joint or at HOT IMPORT NIGHTS.

I say, we should just take a step back. Let the HYPE/Glamour takes its course and do what do best.

Like you said. I too haven't seen the advantages that this "INDUSTRY LEADERS" are saying. All I see is exploitations of what could generate their money. Regardless on loosing their believes and passion. They claim they are purist. But I say they are traitors. I haven't seen any advancement to any leading car parts. They just market the same parts as new and improve parts. (ex, Air Filter, Oil Filter, Spark Plugs, Turbo kits) all this "NEW" advancements didn't come from local import tuners that shows their car with LCD monitors. All this came from the TRACK. Real racing series. the Super-AFC was not developed by some SoCal or Midwest tuners. This was especially built for race cars and APEX hired some SMART *Censored**Censored**Censored* people to develop it. What's I've seen that had an advancement was the STEREO systems, LCD monitors, what's that crap!??!? they're just more weight!

CRAIG L and all the INDUSTRY LEADERS. I hope you all are reading this! Because I want you to LIST all of the advancements that was gain from all this HYPE! and tell me where they originated! I have yet to see a race car with a 20lbs DUBS and a 900+watts radio! and win a championship.

All I see from all this exploits are promoting dangerous racing and illegal activities that are geared towards younger audiences because they are easily manipulated so they could buy your products.




Nissanguy24:

Well put crashdrive well put man. Justin too man good speech. What can i add that you didnt touch on? Not much, you guys all know my feelings, and i think crashdrive pretty much spelled them out perfectly.

I dont trust 'corporate american' with anything i care about, in the past they have seemed as unrelyable as trusting the government with something (perhaps more so! remember the CA energy chrisis? deregulation will help my *Censored**Censored**Censored*...of course we now basicly know it was all setup!)

this is drifting taken to the lowest common denominator. its not the drifting i like.






Feint:

Thank god D1 isn't whored out this bad.

I've also brought up similiar ideas regarding on how these events would turn out.I also circled the NFSU sponsorship title and wrote *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored* *Censored**Censored**Censored* in Japanese ...because that's what it really is,*Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored**Censor ed**Censored**Censored**Censored*.

Yes, the Japanese can be ricers,but even their rice cars can actually go.

We all know performance is a very important factor in Japan.Lap times is what sells cars and parts there,that's why Japans eyes are on Tsukuba.Hell,even when Lorin took his shocks to the test,it was on Tsukuba.That's the proving grounds.Even their car show cars at TAS actually see the road and track.

As for America,the only place those cars see is a trailer.Trailer queens beside drift cars,cars that actually push beyond the cars limits.It's obvious these two don't get along.That's like sticking a *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored* with a jew,Paris Hilton with a bum,or Michael Jackson with a hot female porn star.It just doesn't work,they don't mix well with each other.The only thing mixing and is the digits in the bank account as the money adds up.

Money,money,money.It's all about money.In Japan it's about respect,along with some incentive.But if the people/event has no respect,it just ain't happening.That's one thing I love about Japan,the levels of respect that are present traditionally in Japanese society.It spreads even into the car culture.You don't see that in America,and that's what is wrong.It's all about respect,honor,integrity.Not how large your wallet is,how many dicls you sucked to get your half-naked *Censored**Censored**Censored* on that flyer,how many asses you kissed,or a race to see who can get more digits in their bank account.

Slipstream isn't getting the picture.First they slipped away from D1,now their grip on Formula D,morals,so-called intentions,and the drifting world is slipping even more.Just like the whores that are slipping and sliding on their *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored* ,taking a couple streams to the face to get their asses pormoted,flexing the green.Slipstream is just like a crack whore.Both are willing to do whatever it takes to get your money.[/b]







Justin: You guys have expressed some great points, if only the corporates or slipstream could understand that this isnt whats needed in the sport

[Weapon X]

I have something to add to that. I'm sure to all the people in the industry who would argue: "Without this kind of exposure drifting won't grow. In my opinion drifting doesnt need anything excess to grow, it doesnt need the show cars or the bling factor. It is a MOTORSPORT. Drifting got big on its own, not with the help of Playboy Playmates, Bucky Lasek, Ryan Dunn, and HIN strobe lights and booty shaking contests. When you say you're helping it grow sounds like what you mean to say is it's helping your own pockets getting bigger.

[ACDSupra7]

I'm gonna try to be respectful here. Drifting doesn't need old skateboarders and celebrites. We don't need any stupid partys or "cool" slogans that look like they're written by 5 year olds trying to be gangsta. Look at D1, it was packed. But they didn't use that kind of pathetic advertising. We're going to see drifting. Not showcars. Not models (not that many anyhow). We're not going to see some hasbeen from a stupid TV show try to ruin a good thing. We're going to see drifting.

[Ghost of Duluth]

Well, I am usually a champion for money in the sport. But I agree with everything that was said here. Things are starting to go way offbase. For god's sake, the guy from Jackass.........I like the show but is this the kind of person we want promoting a sport that the average everyday joe's sense of safety is going to either make or break? I don't think so. Ryan Dunn is a cool guy and I would love to party with him but the stigma that follows him around is negative in the eyes of every normal, law abiding citizen. And those are the people that are going to give us the most trouble.

But, as the pockets get fatter, they are going to add more and more crap to the Drifting thing until it burns itself out. That is our way, the American way. We can't just have an event for one sport. We have to add this and that and then finally there is just too much crap too see. If Bucky Lasek is going to slide that BMW, then cool, i'm all for it. Same with Ryan Dunn, but I would sure hate to see him get out there and do some stupid, goofball stunt like he's prone to do and wipe something out just to get a rise out of the crowd and then set the sport back a year.

So, I agree with you all. Something has got to give.

[Weapon X]

Originally posted by ACDSupra7
F*ck that

Please post serious/relevant comments only. I feel very strongly about this and want this topic to get industry attention and to be taken seriously.

[P1STON2ROTARY]

Originally posted by Weapon X
Please post serious/relevant comments only. I feel very strongly about this and want this topic to get industry attention and to be taken seriously.

Exactly. We definately need, serious, and mature comments. Feel free to give your point of view, but be mature about it. If we want real industry attention, we can't sound like children.

[nissanguy_24]

this was from a private conversation between me and justin, he suggested i post it on a rx-7 forum.. so this is actually the third time its been posted. Like i said it was a private conversation so please escuse the graphic nature of it.

"its just, they dont care man, they dont care at all, why are we suposed to turn over the reins of something we care about so much to someone who just doesnt care, you wouldnt marry off a daughter to someone who couldnt care less about her. and why? because you want the best for her thats why, same as us we want the best for drifitng, these people werent there, they dont deserve drifting they dont care about drifting and they cant be trusted with drifting, because they would do the same as the uncarring man would with your daughter, they will rape it then leave it on the side of the road when the next thing they think they can *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored* up comes along"

[drift_monkee]

that's exactly what im talking about

...i think we can all remember when the whole straight line racing thing was this big

...it was all about booty and bling, and then what happened...drifting

...all of a sudden the big wigs see more money and drop drag racing right on its *Censored**Censored**Censored* in favor of something more "extreme" and "hip

...absolutely ridiculous

[Feint]

My advice to Slipstream,please look at what Sunpros has done with D1.They not only outdone what you done in August back at D1 in February,they've done it with half the advertisment your pushing,half the big name models,and no big American celebrities.

If I want to see a circus,I'll go see Cirque du Soleil,if I want to see Ryan Dunn,I'll go buy some CKY,Jackass,and Viva La Bam DVD's.If I want to see Bucky Lasek,I'll go to the X-Games.So if I go to Formula D,I want to see drifting.Not some CKY style stunts,not the X-Games,not some naked girls,a dominatix,and every ridiculous thing inbetween.

D1 done things near proper.Sure it had some showy stuff,but everyone here can agree,D1 was more about the action than the hype.What is Formula D? Well,by the looks of it,just a bunch of hype.A wasted breath,now about to inhale one more time before it begins to choke.

I ask of you to reconsider the direction your taking it.If you,Slipstream want to gain the respect,fanbase,and delivery that Sunpros has delivered via D1,Option,and other outlets.You will have to reconsider.Sure you can ignore everyone here and continue with the direction your taking it,but remember one thing.It's the people here that made you.They created the fanbase,they gave you their money,they told their friends,posted across the net,and brought in even larger crowds.I want you to remember that.If you fall out of touch with the people that made you,overall,you will lose touch with your business.Remember this could go almost as quickly as it has come.Please don't forget that.When it all comes done,don't say I didn't tell you (my predictions regarding drifting have never been wrong so far,if that means anything to you).

[my 1 88 u]

I'm sorry but he's right. Bump formula d. That league is doing nothing positive for drifting in America as a whole. Road Atlanta still won't let us in, the cops still look at us as street racers and give us citations for "laying drags", or "loitering".

I love you all Alex, Ernie, Benson, Ken, Chris, etc. but I dont care to see the same 10 people getting better and go against the Japanese pros while the rest of americans remain as beer guzzling fanatical SPECTATORS.

I want regular grass roots events in this region, not formula d once a year. The bigger the pool of talent the better the competitions will be. We dont even have team battles in this country. The americans in drift society would spank the field, Hell the Japanese could send there women to whoop us.

[spock]

This is exactly what I've been saying what would happen to drifting all along, even right down to the "sk8er bois."This is definitive proof that no one has any right to say that corporate involvement will help drifting grow in America.

[jaydm180sx]

Seeing how Formula D is the only organized drifting event that comes to Atlanta, I feel that its necessary to support the event. But I feel that it needs to progress further and faster.

I stopped going to HIN because I realized that looks no longer interested me. I want my car to perform, not look "pretty".

Formula D needs to be advertised toward the people that will help the sport grow in the right direction, not the Ricers.
The only models that should be there are the ones holding umbrellas over the drifters heads. Sooner or later Formula D will have dyno contests, burnout contests, bikini contests and other crap that has nothing to do with drifting.

[Topics II]

I really dont see the problem with creating the biggest event to ever happen in America. Formula D Round 4 is going to blow peoples minds. Even people who dont like, havent heard of, or havent seen drifting. The Hot Import Nights bring in twice the croud of the biggest drift events. Now combine that with the season finale of the biggest and only American drift championship. And you will have one hell of a show. And lil things like bringing in professional skateboarders (who just got gold in the x games) and comical characters justs helps keep the crowd excited.

If you dont like show cars, who cares. Dont go look at them, and just wonder around the drift pits instead.

[Xantos]

i decided this was important to contact them about here is the e-mail i have written, it has not been sent yet so please correct any mistakes I have made and add what you think should be in it.



I am not sure if this is the correct person to contact, so if you wouldn't mind please forward this to who it needs to be read by.

Look at your recent ad's for Formula D at Irwindale, when did drifting become an import showoff? Drifting is strictly about cars drifting, thats it! There is no reason why Ryan Dunn ( a crazy law breaker, watch just one CKY ) should be there, same with Bucky Lasek, he is a skateborder not a race car driver. I know sex sells but seriously there is no reason why I should see a woman in see-through underwear on the advertisement for a CAR EVENT. Also, like I said earlier, drifting is about cars that can perform, not trailer queens that go from one show to the other, so you need to get rid of the 300 show cars, especially the celeberity, movie, and VIP cars; REAL drifters only want to see REAL drift cars, no show cars with no wear on the tires and no dents and dings on the body. In conclusion, I just want to say this is the wrong way for drifting to go, take a hint from D1 in Japan, they are more succesful yet not near as "showy". And do not believe I am the only person that thinks this way check out this thread ( http://www.drifting.com/forums/showt...0918#post90918 ) at drifting.com ( the number one "hangout" for REAL drifters )