S3: How did you get into the drift thing and cars in general?  What is your advice to anyone just starting out . . . or wanting to start out?
DB: I used to race go-karts back in the day and they had a spool rear.  I kinda like sliding that thing around.  Once I got my first 240 though – it was over.  I started screwing around in parking lots and it just transcended from there.  For some one starting out I would tell them what I tell everyone.  Seat time is the most important thing.  Car setup is important also but I see so many jackass kids wreck their fully built cars not knowing how to drive them.  Go out to events and practice.  You’re not JDM/Togue/Initial D/sushi/kouki/zenki master . . . so go out to events and suck.  It’s ok.  Drive the car and in time it will come.  I’ve been drifting for 7 years or so and I still learn new things all the time.

S3: You’ve got the turbo KA motor in the car, right?  Seems to work pretty well for you.  How much power does it make?  Why did you choose to do the KA route?  And would you recommend it to other people out there?
DB: Yeah my car is KA-T.  I started out building a wicked SR back in ‘99 when there was not too much KA support.  I wanted the best of the best in the SR so it was taking awhile to get done.  In the mean time I bought a second S14 and turboed the KA.  From then on I was hooked.  Easy to get parts for and made tons of torque.  I sold the SR and built a KA – that’s the motor in the car now.  At 1 bar of boost it puts 400HP to the ground.  At 20PSI its scary fast and will spin the wheels on the highway on a 5^th gear pull.  I’m such a fan of the KA; I put a KA-T in my real deal JDM Silvia.  I never saw one on this side of the world so I figured “screw it” and gave it a go.  I never wanted to follow the crowd.  When I got my first 240sx in ‘99 Hondas were the thing to have.  I had my 240.  30+ 240s later here I am.

S3: What are you most looking forward to about this inaugural NOPI Drift season . . . besides winning money?
DB: The money is an awesome part but I’m looking forward to driving with my friends and having a blast doing it.  I love meeting people from all over the country and partying all over.

S3: Anyone out there you are really looking forward to crashing?
DB: Yeah.  That Marty character may have to go down this year.  J/K  Marty’s awesome.  Crashing sucks really.  I’m not gunnin’ for anyone but if it happens I have no apologies.  Same thing if I get wrecked.  We’ll have words, throw down, and be cool by the time the after party rolls around.

S3: What, if anything, stresses you out the most about the series?
DB: The travel.  The first time I thought I was ready with a great car, my truck, trailer, tools, crew, and the whole 9 – I began traveling all over and was like “shit, I don’t have enough money to get home.”  It was a rude awakening about how expensive drifting and traveling was.

S3: What is Drift Brigade?
DB: Drift Brigade is a group of drivers from NJ that love to rip it up.  We’re all friends that love going out and pushing ourselves further than we’d ever imagine both on and off the track.

S3: If you could describe Drift Brigade in 5 words or less, what would they be?
DB: Destruction, Mayhem, Precision, Smoke

S3: If you could describe Drift Brigade in 5 Spanish words or less, what would they be?
DB: You would think with a Spanish speaker on the team I’d know more . . . but here it goes. Nosotros nesisitas ella’s grande tetas.  Hahaha I’m not even sure that remotely means what I think it does.

DB: Time attack seems to be growing in popularity.  I’m looking to go out and do some T/A events myself.  Outside of that I’m not sure.

S3: Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

DB: Yeah I’d like to thank my Mom and my Grandmother first and foremost.  They helped me out a lot and put up with a lot of my shit to try and help me succeed.  I’d also like to thank Drift Brigade for all the support they’ve given me.  It’s like the brothers I never had from the drivers to the crew.  I’d like to thank all my sponsors: Dunlop Tires, American Tire Distributors, and Drifz wheels, S-Max Intercoolers, the International All Stars, Fastbrakes, Built Performance, BC Racing, ASI Racewear, Turbo Trix Racing, MMR Direct, Decals by Design, and Importfanatix.  Last but not least Id like to thank S3 Magazine for giving me this opportunity to run off at the mouth.  Without the support of my family, friends, and sponsors I wouldn’t have been able to make it this far.