Infineon Raceway is one of the most amazing racetracks in the country, but the track's drift course is my least favorite of them all. It is too short and too much of an e-brake layout. Because I was the number one seeded driver, I was the last to qualify, so I really took my time to study what the other 31 drivers were doing, and what the judges were looking for. I saw that they were really putting a lot of emphasis on speed and how deep you were going down in the corner - two things I concentrated on during my runs, and ended up qualifying First, and was starting to feel that this could be the day I wrap up the entire season!
I faced former D1 champion Ryuji Miki in my first tandem run. I eventually moved on, despite having to run One More Time, and some very close scoring. I knew after that round that I had to get more angle and change my line a little. At least, that was the word from the judges. So when I faced Ryan Tuerck in the Great 8, as I was coming down the straightway into the first corner, I pulled the e-brake just a little harder than before; too much, as it turned out, because the car over-rotated and I lost the line. I couldn't make up the points with my second run, so my successful day quickly changed to a very unwanted ending because of one little mistake. The support for Mopar/BFG team from the Northern Cali fans made the loss bearable, though, especially the forty-something Viper fans from the Northern California Viper Club of America that came out! We are now 26 points behind the number one spot, going into the finals at Irwindale. It is going to be an exciting event for sure!
Toxic Drift
www.toxicdrift.com
Mopar
www.mopar.com
BF Goodrich
www.bfgoodrich.com
Dai Yoshihara
Inching his way up the ladder, Dai made it to Third Place in a new-for-the-season GTO. With scant points separating him from the top two, Sonoma is his make-it-or-break-it round. Do or Dai? Read on.
Going into Round 5 at Seattle, I was in Third Place for the season, and really close to Second or even First. But because I was knocked out at Seattle in the Top 16, those differences in points grew considerably. I knew I had to finish strong in Sonoma to pick up the pace.
To be honest, I don't like this track. It's a very short layout, and all about diving into the first corner; something I had a difficult time with in the GTO. In the last practice session, I changed my initiation from clutch kicking 4th gear, to e-brake and using 3rd gear. It worked out better and I was able to qualify Seventh. In the Top 16 round, I went against Vaughn Gittin Jr. I knew he took Second Placed last year, so he is strong at this track. We both ran consistently, but I was having difficulty keeping up with him after the main clipping point, and was eventually defeated after a One More Time run.
After I lost, I drove back to my pit, to tons of fans who were waiting to encourage me, even though the rest of the race was still going on! I cannot explain how much this meant to me and how it lifted my spirits. It was the shining moment of the weekend. Unfortunately, my ranking has now dropped to Fourth Place and my boss, Rhys has risen to Third Place. WTF?! Although it will be difficult for me to win the championship, at least I am still close enough to beat my boss in the final round!
Bridgestone Tire
www.bridgestonetire.com
Pacific Rim
www.ilovedrifting.com
Rhys Millen Motors
www.store.rmrproducts.com
Vaughn Gittin Jr
Zero points in the last two events has left the sole US D1GP winner out of top three contention. But if you think that's going to pull the wind out of JR and his Mustang, you'd be sorely mistaken. Besides being the only driver who finds Sonoma fun, JR loves to put on a good show and muck things up.
...
>>next page