26th March 2005 - D1 Drifting Dates and Drifting Background Info (for Fast & Modified Magazine)
* * * * * * * * * *
Back in March 2005 I was asked to put together a list of D1 Drift Series events which would be taking place in Ireland over the months which followed for inclusion in Scottish Fast & Modified monthly car magazine, as well as giving some detail on what drifting is and where it originated from etc.
The following text is what I submitted to the magazine.
* * * * * * * * * *
D1 Drift Series dates for 2005
Round 1:
April 10th Kartworld, Watergrasshill, Co Cork.
Round 2:
May 2nd Tipperary Motor Speedway, Rosegreen, Tipperary.
Round 3:
July 31st Mondello Park, Naas, Co. Kildare.
Round 4:
August 21st Tipperary Motor Speedway, Rosegreen, Tipperary.
Round 5:
September 11th Kartworld, Watergrasshill, Co Cork.
Drift Definitions
Tsuiso:- (twin battle drift) this is when the qualifying stage of the drift event is over and the cars enter a knockout to decide the winner of the event. The knockout table begins with 16 cars which is reduced to 8 by elimination. Then from 8 to the semi final (4). From the semi final 2 cars are eliminated and 2 are left to compete in the final.
Kansei Drift:- this is performed at race speeds, when entering a high speed corner a driver lifts his foot off the throttle while slightly turning into a corner to induce a mild over steer and then balances the drift through steering, braking and throttle motions. (note: the car that is being used for this style of drift should be a neutral balanced car therefore the over steer will be induce when this technique is applied, if the car plows through any turn this technique will not work)
Braking Drift:- this is performed by braking before a corner while starting to turn in, vary the brake petal until loss of grip is obtained and then balance the over steer through steering and throttle motions.
Faint Drift:- this is performed by rocking the car towards the opposite direction of a turn and then using the rebound of grip to throw the car into the normal cornering direction. (note: this is heavy rally racing technique used to change vehicle attitudes during cornering)
Clutch Kick:- this is performed by depressing the clutch pedal on approach or during a mild drift, then pop the clutch under power to give a sudden jolt through the driveline to upset rear traction.
Shift Lock:- this is performed by letting the revs drop upon downshift into a corner and then releasing the clutch to put stress on the driveline to slow the rear tires inducing over steer. (this is like pulling the handbrake through a turn - note: this is best to be performed in the wet to minimize damage to the driveline etc)
Side Brake Drift:- this technique is very basic, pull the handbrake or (side brake) to induce rear traction loss and balance drift through steering and throttle play. (note this can also be used to correct errors or fine tune drift angles).
Dirt Drop Drift:- this is performed by dropping the rear tires off the road into the dirt to maintain or gain drift angle if losing power. (note: this technique is very useful for low horsepower cars, also good show move to produce a dirt rooster tail)
Jump Drift:- in this technique the rear tire on the inside of a turn or apex is bounced over a rumble strip to help lose traction resulting in over steer.
Choku Dori:- this is done by pulling the handbrake through a strait to start a high angel drift and to hold this angle to set up for the turn ahead. (note: this can only be done at high speed)
Manji:- this is a slow swaying faint like drift where the rear end sways back and forth down a strait.
Power Over - this is performed when entering a corner and using full throttle to produce heavy over steer (tail slide) through a turn. (note: need horsepower to make this happen)
D1 DRIFT SERIES IRELAND – RULES AND REGULATIONS
Vehicle and driver Regulations
1. The chief scrutineer reserves the right at all times to reject any vehicle which in his/her considered opinion does not meet safety standards and may be hazardous to the driver/spectators/track
2. Reasons for the failure of a vehicle to pass scrutineering will be given to the driver/competitor concerned who will be allowed to make adjustments etc, and present the vehicle for re-scrutinizing within the specified time period allocated at the event.
3. If the vehicle still does not meet scrutinizing requirements the driver/competitor has to leave the scrutinizing area and can report to the course marshal.
4. D1 Drift Series requires all cars to be road worthy.
5. All wheel nuts must be accounted for and must be tight to the wheel.
6. Fuel cells must be secure and must be exempt of leaks.
7. Brakes must be in perfect working order; anti-lock brakes are non-compulsory and may be removed.
8. Safety harness must be secure and present.
9. Driver’s seat must be fixed to the floor and secure.
10. In the case of a collision the scrutineer must review the car and shall decide on the vehicles road worthiness.
11. No fluid leaks of any kind will be tolerated.
12. Fuel filler caps must be securely fastened as not to open.
13. The rear seats, air conditioning, radio, interior etc may be removed.
14. Batteries must be securely fastened down and if located within the cockpit must be covered.
15. All hoods and deck lids must be adequately and securely fastened.
16. It is highly advised to have a master electrical cut off switch.
17. All drivers must have a certified helmet.
Changes for the forth coming 2005 season
1. All cars must be equipped with a fire extinguisher which must be fastened securely and within reach of the cockpit.
2. Drivers seat must be equipped with three mounting point or better racing type safety harness. (non compulsory for qualifying, compulsory when entered into the final 16)
3. All drivers must have a racing suit.
4. All cars must have a half cage or better. (non compulsory for qualifying, compulsory when entered into the final 16)
Authorized Modifications
1. Each car must maintain the OEM uni-body structure, Pipe Frame Chassis (including pipe-frame extensions) are not allowed in any D1 Competition. No Exceptions!
2. Every car must maintain a complete exhaust system.
3. Aftermarket body panels, bumper covers and wings are permitted
4. Seam welding the uni-body is permitted.
5. Suspension upgrades are allowed.
6. Factory wheels may be replaced with aftermarket wheels.
7. Any grade fuel may be used.
8. Brake bias modifications and controllers are permitted.
9. Engines are open for modification or replacement.
The History of Drifting
The Japanese towns of Rokkosan, Hakone, Irohazaka, and various hill climbs in Nagano are all steeped in legends of the origins of drifting. No one can really pinpoint drifting's actual birthplace but the movement started in the mid 1960s. Like many forms of professional racing today, the modern interpretation of drifting evolved from a form of illegal street racing held on windy mountain roads called touge (pronounced toe-geh). Touge was practiced by extremely dedicated enthusiasts known as rolling zoku (pronounced zoe-koo) whose only goal was to trim precious milliseconds off their time between two points. Eventually, some of these rolling zoku began to adopt driving techniques used by rally drivers, techniques to clear a corner quickly without sacrificing too much momentum. As touge drivers started to emulate the rally racers techniques, they discovered that not only did their driving performance and times improve, the rush was much more intense. From touge, drifting was born.
The Drifting Movement Evolves
About the same time touge evolved into drifting, some of the rolling zoku came off the mountains to bring their new sport to the urban jungles of Japan. The urban drifters added their own flavor to the sport with their flamboyant driving style and outrageous vehicles. Eventually, word of the spectacle spread and fans began showing up to witness drifting's amazing drivers and machines. But as popular as drifting had become, it was relegated to underground status by the risks and image associated with illegal street contests.
Eventually, the popularity of drifting propelled the sport into the mainstream and competitors started to organize and take their home-grown trials to the track. The gatherings were originally just for fun until the cars and driving skills became so refined that things started to get competitive. From the initial organized trials, regional drift contest open to the public and professionally judged, known as ikaten (pronounced ee-kah-ten) created by Video-OPTION, were began all major cities of Japan. The Drivers Search events let local drivers of all backgrounds show off their skills and compete with each other. For awhile, Drivers Search events satisfied the thirst of drifting fans and drivers but as skills and techniques improved, and manufacturers started producing drifting-specific components, it was clearly time to raise the bar.
It was the vision of a car enthusiast and magazine publisher that brought drifting to mainstream motorsports in Japan. Daijiro Inada (pronounced dye-jee-ro ee-na-da) , founder of Option Magazine and the Tokyo Auto Salon, knew drifting and the Drivers Search events represented only a fraction of the potential of drifting to the global motorsport subculture. Daijiro felt a strong need to bring drifting to a professional level.
In 2001, with the help of longtime friend Keiichi Tsuchiya (pronounced kay-ee-chee soo-chee-ya), a professional Touring Car driver and the person considered to be the father of modern competitive drifting, Daijiro created the D1 Grand Prix. Today, the D1 Grand Prix is so popular in Japan that D1 drivers are celebrities. True to Mr. Inada's vision, the D1 Grand Prix represents the highest level of competition in the sport and provides the best-of-the-best to fans throughout Japan. Now he brings that passion and innovation to North America. Through D1 Drivers Search events, the D1 Grand Prix series and D1 Grand Prix in the United States, and with events planned for Europe and Korea in 2005, drifting is poised to take the world by storm.
Since its humble beginnings only a short time ago, the D1 Grand Prix events have grown from relatively small contests with 50 or so teams and 3,000 to 4,000 spectators to today's shows that typically host over 100 teams and, by the end of the 2003 season, were attracting upward of 20,000 spectators. Prior to 2001, relatively few tuners specialized in drifting set-ups. With the incredible success of the D1 drifting series in Japan, the number of drifting-specific shops jumped to over 200, revitalizing the tuning industry in Japan.
History of Irish Drifting
Along the same lines as Japan Ireland began with street drifting. Young and talented drivers travelling from stage to stage of a rally showing their talents. This began way back in the glory days of rallying, the times of the opel manta and the mark II escort but unfortunately it had yet to be given a name. Many of those talented drivers went on to compete at rally events but unfortunately as the years have passed the expense that rallying has become, proved too expensive for many. In recent years Irish lads had to cross the water to England to attend a drift event.
Turweston Aerodrome was the venue and eventually became the birthplace of the UKD1. Shortly after Ireland had its first ever drift event, Tipperary motor speedway was the venue and for many it was there first ever introduction to drifting. Many months passed without another event, which spawned a group of drifting enthusiasts to start up the D1 Drift Series to Promote and Educate people in the art of Drifting in Ireland in a Safe Environment. Headed by Graham McNamara and a dedicated team, drifting has become so popular amongst entries that it has now grown into a 2-day event and for the coming season there is the added bonus of new tracks to look forward to. Drifting has come along way since its establishment in august of 2003 and within just over a year it has proved itself to be Irelands fastest growing motor sport.
* * * * * * * * * *
PREVIOUS JOURNALISM ENTRIES
The images contained in this site are protected by copyright - no copying or use without prior written consent