Photos and Story by Anna Nguyen
I remember the first time I acquainted myself with the art of drifting. It was at a Drift Day event, when drifting was relatively new in America. I remember standing out in the middle of spacious lot that was only occupied by a handful of cars. Normally, one unfamiliar to drifting would find nothing glamorous about the burning-rubber smell and getting debris—mixed with track rubble and tires—all over herself, but once you witness the art itself … I was amazed to see a car even being able to maneuver like that: sliding to one side while swinging the back end of the car from the other side at such a tight angle. Then seeing the process repeated in continuance in different directions and forms. Though it was a setting for amateur and professional drivers alike, I began appreciating the art in isolation, regardless of skill.
Although disenchanted by growing popularity, posers and the third installment of the persistently-ridiculous series of “Fast and the Furious,” I fell back in love with drifting earlier today at Formula Drift: Singapore. I initially wanted to go to experience the first official drift event in Singapore, and had believed that the poser-popularity had not hit the tiny city-state. However, upon arriving there, I witnessed a spectacle as grand as any Formula Drift event back in the U.S. There were fans who conglomerated from different parts of the world to root for their nation’s circuit drivers, and fans who were there to appreciate the art of drifting—just as I had. What I had mistaken for falsely-motivated popularity really seemed to be genuine admiration. Instead of hearing cheers for dashes and crashes, I heard cheers of encouragement and celebration when drivers slid close to and along the clipping points. Back in the U.S., I remember hearing jeers at D1 events when drivers did not knick one another from close encounter. However, jeers were only made at this event when there was unfair play on the track, or when the judges made calls that were not of consensus to the audience. Once again, I believed in genuine drifting fandom. Considering it was the pilot episode of the global series, Formula Drift: Singapore did not fall short of spectacular. All the drivers covered the track well, and many created excitement in the stands as they perfectly drifted the clipping points and managed to pass up their opponent. It was great seeing various (and unknown to me) talents from Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore; it was refreshing to see professionals outside the D1 circuit. But I must say that I was highly disappointed to see Team USA driver Conrad Grunewald out of the competition due to a damaged tie rod caused by the clipping-incident between him and “Mad Mike” from New Zealand. Call it national pride. Nonetheless, I was proud to be part of history by attending the first event of the global series.
Results:
1st Ryuji Miki apexi RX7 Japan/USA
2nd Tenkgu Djan AE86 on NOS Malaysia
3rd “Mad” Mike Whidett RX7 NZ