Formula D - Heading the Wrong Way?

[Craftsman]

Originally posted by RyanHampton
Spock,

Once again who determines the real enthusiasts? At what point did you become a real enthusiast? Once again, we do control the media, especially when they ask you questions. Once again people are responsible for their own actions. I wouldn't worry too much about kids drifitng off the mountain, I would blame that more on Initial D.

Once again how many Formula D events have you attended, none since you know nothing about the outcome. Haven't you read anything what the guy from Houston who went to the event, people did come to see the car show, but when drifting was going on, no one was inside. I can vouch for that since I wasn't running. Now there will be some things we can't control, like FF3. And all we can do is hope for the best in that scenario...The world is far from a perfect place, and if it was we could all drift 8 hours a day not have to pay for tires or anything, but that is not reality. Formula D is trying to do the best they can to provide a venue for the american drivers to show their talent. And if the Japanese drivers come over that would be awsome! Yeah we would get our buts kicked, but I would take the invite gladly. Why because when you compete aginst the best you get better. I don't think drifting is like pogs, get real how many times have you seen an HKS pog? You obviously do not understand marketing in any way, shape, or form. The reason for the half naked girl is......Get ready for this....


are you still waiting for the answer?


Still?



SEX SELLS....


its that simple....

Do I agree with it?

no,

does it get the job done,

Yes....

Again. Ryan for president... In Houston, when the drifting was going on, Noone was watching the cars... Hell , I didn't know there was a car show? Was there one Ryan? If there was, I guess I missed it due to the tire smoke and the beautiful sounds of tires squealing as the cars go sideways...

Seriously, noone was looking at the cars...

Matt.

[spock]

By real enthusiasts I meant people that go to, um, gee, I don't know, see you and the other pros. And maybe I don't completely understand marketing, but I do realize sex sells. I know it'll do good to attract crowds but soon drifting will reach its pinnacle in America. People will eventually lose interest it'll be nothing more than a fad. If you need evidence from the motorsport world just look at sport compact drag racing. Why would Stehpan Papadakis try to crossover? Maybe he enjoys it, but I'm sure there's more to it than that. This is all I have to say and I will not comment any further on this subject. I'd also like to say that anything said by the pro drivers or Formula D people will do little to sway my opinion. I don't understand why anyone's paying attention to me anyway.

[swifty949]

It is possible for drifting to be a fad, everything has a chance of being a fad, does that mean we should shy away from it, and not explore all the different possibilities of the sport? I dont see it going away anytime soon. People back in 95, 96 said the kids with civics were just a fad, they were wrong. those kids with civics grew up, and bought Mercedes, BMW's, Supras, and other high end cars. Everyone involved with drifting is still young, there is plenty of growth left.

[z28evans]

I love where Formula D is going, and am glad to see it. We started drifting with friends at locally organized events driving cheap cars. We still have fun with our friends at local events. BUT with formula D we have been able to meet many new people and drift other tracks.

Are we PRO's? We still run the same car that has under $5k in it. Name one other sporting series where you can be competitive with that kind of budget. Yes we got a tire sponsorship, and we are working on more - and when it is all over for us we will look back and smile

We may have an umbrella girl at the next event - which i think will be awesome. I like the show stuff slipstream puts on - it's great entertainment.

another vote for Ryan for pres.

[STFUAD]

Ping pong anyone?

This is just back and forth and I am getting dizzy. I think we have beat this thread to death twice over... anyone agree?

[Nismo_r34]

Originally posted by nasty nate 7
all i can say is we'll wait for formula d to happen and see what happens from then on. i cant give you my honest opinion yet cuz i havent been to the event yet so i shall wait and see for my own eyes because what i see in the ads of formula d, it looks pretty sad taht most of the ad is covered with hot import night girls, djs, celebs, and 300 show cars with a SIDE of drifting... thats the message that im getting if i was some random guy who never thought what drifting is. i dont think thats the right publicizing or promotion that "sport of drifting" deserves.

I'm with you nasty nate. I haven't been to the event also. The ad is more like HIN. The ad is full with hot import night girls and all that stuff. It attract the ricer but not us drifter but unless Formula D have alot of drift battle sure we'll be there and ignore the girls and watch the drift event.

[RyanHampton]

Spock,

You ask why we care,

Well lets see, we obviously have a common interest (drifting). We would like to help you see where we are coming from. We or the "pros" are not as high and mighty as you perceive us to be, we are people just like you. I do not follow import drag racing, and from my perspective import drag racing is better off than sports car racing right now, so I would not say its dead by any means. Who knows what drifting will become, I don't have my crystal ball with me in Atlanta right now its back in Arizona. So what if drifting becomes a fad, enjoy it for what it is, and if you enjoy true drifting as you say you do, then I wouldn't complain about import models and ricers, and such...

I would just drift.


As an enthusiast, I care...thats why


You can take all our opinions or not, their just like A$$HOLES
everybody's got one anyway....

[spock]

All I'm saying is if drifting becomes a fad it won't grow.It'll grow to a point but soon it'll lose all its glory and any of the "real enthusiasts" will be forced back underground.

[RyanHampton]

Originally posted by spock
All I'm saying is if drifting becomes a fad it won't grow.It'll grow to a point but soon it'll lose all its glory and any of the "real enthusiasts" will be forced back underground.

So in actuality you would like to see it grow huh, what happened to your "Underground" attitude? So you would like to drift pro also right? figure out where you would like it to grow and get back to us later...

[NHDrifter]

i dont know...i know i like girls and i like drifting, but i dont like show cars....so i say let the girls stay and tell all the car show people to leave haha...Ryan Dunn is cool sh*t though...and Bucky has an e46 "show car" they would be cool to meet just like all the top drifters...

[RyanHampton]

Hey guys,


Here is my new campaign poster,

Sorry to go off topic it needs a little humor.....I think i will start an off topic poll, also ghost, I need a campaign manager, interested? You look like the best candidate...

[spock]

Originally posted by RyanHampton
So in actuality you would like to see it grow huh, what happened to your "Underground" attitude? So you would like to drift pro also right? figure out where you would like it to grow and get back to us later...

When did I ever say I wanted it to be underground? To refer back to the title of this thread: Formula D- Heading the Wrong Way? My answer is yes. Being the largest drift program in America right now, it has te ability to direct where drifting itself will go. As far as I can I tell the people that are putting on these shows are just making a quick buck. And by calling drifting a fad I meant to imply that it'll come and go leaving no time for any real development. And to set the record straight, I'd love to be pro but it's doubtful that'll ever happen. I just happen to be a car enthusiast, particularly Japanese cars. I was literally raised with a love for them. Right now I drive a '97 Prelude. And I'm not as dumb as I look. I'd never drift it.

[RyanHampton]

Spock,


I don't think Formula D is making any big quick bucks. Contrary to popular belief. and I don't think Formula D exactly has the helm to drifting in the US either. In the U.S., nothing really has time to develop in this country, it is the downside to our culture I agree. We have to make the best of things while they are here and maybe allow us to enjoy our short time on earth here. So I would encourage you to chase your dream and yes you too can possibly become pro. I had a dream when I was a kid to become a race car driver. I chased it and am still chasing it. So don't give up yet, come out and we will help you try to acheive that. That is the greatest thing about the drifting community, I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunities in racing that I have and I have many life long friends in it, but drifting is a special thing and all the people I have been in contact with since I have been involved in this sport have been the greatest people I have met. Everyone supports everyone else whether they are a competitor or not. So lets go drift ..


Let me wipe the tear from my eye, I'm getting emotional..

[case]

Originally posted by JasperShowWRX
Ping pong anyone?

This is just back and forth and I am getting dizzy. I think we have beat this thread to death twice over... anyone agree?

agreed.


Ryan: it's awesome that you've stuck with this topic, even through what seems like a large amount of short-sighted people. you are a prime example of what i hope to be when people view me as a professional driver. keep on driving, i'm sure you're an inspiration to more people than myself.

side note (off topic): if I turn out to be a competitive driver next year in Formula D, would that be enough to be considered pro? i've been going back and forth over this in my head a lot lately. i currently participate in a points series located in Las Vegas, the Hankook Tire Drift Points Series ( http://www.nadrift.com )... there is an amature class, and there are the "pro" classes where they are seperated by level of car modification (or if the driver chooses, they can be bumped up). i don't really consider myself pro, despite competing in the top ranks of this. next year, competing in Formula D, if i'm at the top, I'd lean more towards being pro, but if i'm at the mid-ranks, I'd say more or less, I'm still semi-pro. what's everyone else think about this? sorry to be so off-topic!

[vigvoodoo]

After reading through a lot of the posts, yet again, I think that a lot of you are scared that drifting will become a fad and disapear. And well... when a fad goes away it's not cool to still be a part of the fad. So, that brings me to the conclusion that a lot of you are in it because it's cool or new (yes, it's new to the majority of Americans). There's only one thing I can say and that is: "Going sideways on the verge of crashing at insane speeds is HELLA FUN!!! Cool or not."

Even, and if, drifting ever becomes a long gone fad I will still be out there in some empty parking lot bathed in moonlight battling my thoughest opponent , myself, on my mechanical beast. That, to me, is the best part of all.