Race vehicle drifting: There's absolutely nothing like howling sideways at 100 miles per hour
The tires on Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s 350Z tuner car are squealing as he jerks his vehicle sideways at almost 90 miles per hour on this serpentine race track in Long Beach.
Walls are surrounding either side, leaving no space for mistakes.
As the next turn nears, Gittin pumps the clutch and yanks a neon green hand brake on his tuner. The rear wheels lose traction, sending out the vehicle into a power slide and unleashing a torrent of smoke into the jam-packed grandstands.
The move brings almost 15,000 viewers to their feet. This is what they pertained to see: wandering.
What began as a prohibited pastime in Southland parking area has become a multimillion-dollar motor sport attracting a new generation. The Formula Drift series opened its 10th period last weekend on city streets near the Long Beach Arena. Saturday night, 16 motorists will carry out an encore efficiency at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
"In the 39 years of the Grand Prix, no event has ever occurred at night," stated Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Solution Drift. "This is the big time. We're not just guys tearing up asphalt in car park anymore."
. Recently's two-day occasion took in 20,000 visitors who each paid $27 to $37 for admission, and more are expected at the gates this weekend.
Drifting has nothing to do with racing. There's no checkered flag. It's more like figure skating than speed skating, with a three-judge panel granting points based on speed, angle of attack and design.
They take points away for going off course, running or stalling into course markers-- consisting of walls. And for driving straight: The objective is to control the vehicle as it moves sideways around turns, as if on ice, at full throttle.
Drift cars get beaten like leased mules. Drivers run them into walls, blow up their turbochargers, snap their axles. Tires get shredded and tossed like filthy handkerchiefs.
But the drivers appear to hold up quite well; there has never ever been a fatality at an arranged drift event.
The occasions happen over two days. On Fridays, motorists make solo runs around the track to get approved for the next round. On Saturdays, the leading 32 drivers require to the track in tandem runs in which the two automobiles are door to door-- simple inches apart.
In tandem runs, one is designated a lead automobile. The chase car should follow its driving line as closely as possible. Then they alternate.
Lead automobiles aim to produce a space. Or they try to block the chase car, to require it off course.
Legend has it that wandering started in the 1960s in the snowy mountains of Japan, where motorists would move automobiles through tight turns. In time, it discovered its way into Japanese motor sports when racers would speed into the peak of a corner, then wander through it instead of brake.
Ultimately, wandering found its method to the U.S. and into Southern California's automobile culture.
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles are vital. Japanese imports are commonly favorites, such as the Nissan 240SX and 350Z, the Mazda RX-7 and older Toyota Corollas. Similar to in the hot-rod generation, car shops throughout the Southland produce parts that enable wandering enthusiasts to burn rubber at ever-increasing speeds.
The sport has brought an increase of business to makers of go-fast parts.
"It was once thought about a trend," said Specialty Equipment Market Assn. spokesman Peter MacGillivray. "Not anymore."
Tire manufacturers dig it one of the most. Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., based in Cypress, sponsors three Formula Drift motorists-- each of whom shredded about 20 tires last weekend.
Detroit car manufacturers have actually taken notice too, sponsoring a number of drivers. They see it as a method to connect with future consumers, a more youthful generation more likely to see a three-minute drift tandem than a three-hour NASCAR race.
The motor sport of drifting-- whose goal is to manage the automobile as it moves sideways around turns, at full throttle-- brings big crowds to their feet and drives demand for go-fast auto parts.
The tires on Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s Ford Mustang are squealing as he jerks his automobile sideways at almost 90 miles per hour on this serpentine race course in Long Beach.
Walls are closing in on either side, leaving no space for errors.
As the next turn nears, Gittin pumps the clutch and tugs a neon green hand brake. The rear wheels lose traction, sending the car into a power slide and releasing a torrent of smoke into the packed grandstands.
The step brings almost 15,000 spectators to their feet. This is what they concerned see: wandering.
What began as an illegal pastime in Southland parking area has become a multimillion-dollar motor sport appealing to a new generation. The Formula Wander series opened its 10th period last weekend on city streets near the Long Beach Arena. Saturday night, 16 drivers will conduct an encore efficiency at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
"In the 39 years of the Grand Prix, no occasion has actually ever taken place in the evening," said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula Drift. "This is the big time. We're not simply people destroying asphalt in car park anymore."
. Recently's two-day event took in 20,000 visitors who each paid $27 to $37 for admission, and more are anticipated at the gates this weekend.
Drifting has nothing to do with racing. There's no checkered flag. It's more like figure skating than speed skating, with a three-judge panel awarding points based on speed, angle of attack and style.
They take points away for going off course, stalling or running into course markers-- consisting of walls. And for driving straight: The objective is to control the vehicle as it moves sideways around turns, as if on ice, at full throttle.
Drift automobiles get beaten like leased mules. Drivers run them into walls, explode their turbochargers, snap their axles. Tires get shredded and tossed like filthy handkerchiefs.
But the motorists appear to hold up pretty well; there has never ever been a casualty at an organized drift event.
The occasions happen over 2 days. On Fridays, motorists make solo runs around the track to qualify for the next round. On Saturdays, the top 32 drivers require to the track in tandem runs in which the two automobiles are door to door-- simple inches apart.
In tandem runs, one is designated a lead vehicle. The chase car should follow its driving line as carefully as possible. They alternate.
Lead cars aim to create a space. Or they aim to obstruct the chase automobile, to require it off course.
Legend has it that wandering started in the 1960s in the snowy mountains of Japan, where motorists would slide automobiles through tight turns. In time, it discovered its way into Japanese motor sports when racers would speed into the peak of a corner, then drift through it rather than brake.
Eventually, drifting found its method to the united state and into Southern California's vehicle culture.
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles are important. Japanese imports are commonly favorites, such as the Nissan 240SX and 350Z, the Mazda RX-7 and older Toyota Corollas. Just like in the hot-rod generation, automobile stores throughout the Southland churn out parts that make it possible for wandering lovers to burn rubber at ever-increasing speeds.
The sport has actually brought an influx of company to makers of go-fast parts.
"It was once considered a trend," said Specialized Devices Market Assn. spokesperson Peter MacGillivray. "Not any longer."
Tire producers dig it the most. Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., based in Cypress, sponsors three Formula Drift drivers-- each of whom shredded about 20 tires last weekend.
Detroit car manufacturers have actually taken notice as well, sponsoring numerous drivers. They see it as a method to get in touch with future consumers, a younger generation more likely to see a three-minute drift tandem than a three-hour NASCAR race.
When rarities in competitors, Dodge Vipers and Chevrolet Camaros are prevalent. Because of drivers like Gittin, the Ford Mustang has likewise been significantly popular in drifting.
The 32-year-old local of Joppa, Md., started wandering as a weekend pastime. In the early 2000s, after leaving his shift as an IT expert in Arlington, Va., Gittin would load his Nissan 240SX loaded with tires and drive 3 1/2 hours to New Jersey, where he 'd compete in the very same vehicle, his daily motorist.
Today, his Mustang RTR-- all 845 horse power of it, painted black and neon green-- is awaiting him when he shows up to an occasion. He's sponsored by Monster Energy Beverage.
"One thing about this sport is that power is limitless," Gittin stated. "However don't get it incorrect. I've been beaten by guys with four-cylinders."
Kenshiro Gushi, 26, drives a turbocharged four-banger Scion FR-S for GReddy Racing. He found out drifting from his daddy, who moved the family to San Gabriel from Okinawa, Japan, when he was a baby.
By 13, Gushi was drifting on the dry lakes in a 1986 Toyota Corolla. Two years later on, he was captured wandering in the City of Industry. A year later, it occurred once more, so Gushi was quickly suspended from getting a driver's license up until he was 21.
"In those days, occasions would take place in a car park," Gushi said. "We 'd wander one corner at a time."
There will be 7 Solution Drift events nationwide this year, as well as others in Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia.
When the "Quick and the Furious" movie franchise brought out "Tokyo Drift" in 2006, it raised the profile of the sport in the united state, grabbing younger audiences.
Last week in Long Beach, hip-hop music blasted to a crowd of individuals in their 20s and 30s.
One was 23-year-old David Koh, a student from Corona, who has slapped a turbocharger on his 1993 Nissan 240SX and drifts in empty parking area.
"It's cool to see the pros do it," he stated at the event. "I 'd do it more if I could, but I need cash for new tires."
Walls are surrounding either side, leaving no space for mistakes.
As the next turn nears, Gittin pumps the clutch and yanks a neon green hand brake on his tuner. The rear wheels lose traction, sending out the vehicle into a power slide and unleashing a torrent of smoke into the jam-packed grandstands.
The move brings almost 15,000 viewers to their feet. This is what they pertained to see: wandering.
What began as a prohibited pastime in Southland parking area has become a multimillion-dollar motor sport attracting a new generation. The Formula Drift series opened its 10th period last weekend on city streets near the Long Beach Arena. Saturday night, 16 motorists will carry out an encore efficiency at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
"In the 39 years of the Grand Prix, no event has ever occurred at night," stated Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Solution Drift. "This is the big time. We're not just guys tearing up asphalt in car park anymore."
. Recently's two-day occasion took in 20,000 visitors who each paid $27 to $37 for admission, and more are expected at the gates this weekend.
Drifting has nothing to do with racing. There's no checkered flag. It's more like figure skating than speed skating, with a three-judge panel granting points based on speed, angle of attack and design.
They take points away for going off course, running or stalling into course markers-- consisting of walls. And for driving straight: The objective is to control the vehicle as it moves sideways around turns, as if on ice, at full throttle.
Drift cars get beaten like leased mules. Drivers run them into walls, blow up their turbochargers, snap their axles. Tires get shredded and tossed like filthy handkerchiefs.
But the drivers appear to hold up quite well; there has never ever been a fatality at an arranged drift event.
The occasions happen over two days. On Fridays, motorists make solo runs around the track to get approved for the next round. On Saturdays, the leading 32 drivers require to the track in tandem runs in which the two automobiles are door to door-- simple inches apart.
In tandem runs, one is designated a lead automobile. The chase car should follow its driving line as closely as possible. Then they alternate.
Lead automobiles aim to produce a space. Or they try to block the chase car, to require it off course.
Legend has it that wandering started in the 1960s in the snowy mountains of Japan, where motorists would move automobiles through tight turns. In time, it discovered its way into Japanese motor sports when racers would speed into the peak of a corner, then wander through it instead of brake.
Ultimately, wandering found its method to the U.S. and into Southern California's automobile culture.
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles are vital. Japanese imports are commonly favorites, such as the Nissan 240SX and 350Z, the Mazda RX-7 and older Toyota Corollas. Similar to in the hot-rod generation, car shops throughout the Southland produce parts that enable wandering enthusiasts to burn rubber at ever-increasing speeds.
The sport has brought an increase of business to makers of go-fast parts.
"It was once thought about a trend," said Specialty Equipment Market Assn. spokesman Peter MacGillivray. "Not anymore."
Tire manufacturers dig it one of the most. Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., based in Cypress, sponsors three Formula Drift motorists-- each of whom shredded about 20 tires last weekend.
Detroit car manufacturers have actually taken notice too, sponsoring a number of drivers. They see it as a method to connect with future consumers, a more youthful generation more likely to see a three-minute drift tandem than a three-hour NASCAR race.
The motor sport of drifting-- whose goal is to manage the automobile as it moves sideways around turns, at full throttle-- brings big crowds to their feet and drives demand for go-fast auto parts.
The tires on Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s Ford Mustang are squealing as he jerks his automobile sideways at almost 90 miles per hour on this serpentine race course in Long Beach.
Walls are closing in on either side, leaving no space for errors.
As the next turn nears, Gittin pumps the clutch and tugs a neon green hand brake. The rear wheels lose traction, sending the car into a power slide and releasing a torrent of smoke into the packed grandstands.
The step brings almost 15,000 spectators to their feet. This is what they concerned see: wandering.
What began as an illegal pastime in Southland parking area has become a multimillion-dollar motor sport appealing to a new generation. The Formula Wander series opened its 10th period last weekend on city streets near the Long Beach Arena. Saturday night, 16 drivers will conduct an encore efficiency at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
"In the 39 years of the Grand Prix, no occasion has actually ever taken place in the evening," said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula Drift. "This is the big time. We're not simply people destroying asphalt in car park anymore."
. Recently's two-day event took in 20,000 visitors who each paid $27 to $37 for admission, and more are anticipated at the gates this weekend.
Drifting has nothing to do with racing. There's no checkered flag. It's more like figure skating than speed skating, with a three-judge panel awarding points based on speed, angle of attack and style.
They take points away for going off course, stalling or running into course markers-- consisting of walls. And for driving straight: The objective is to control the vehicle as it moves sideways around turns, as if on ice, at full throttle.
Drift automobiles get beaten like leased mules. Drivers run them into walls, explode their turbochargers, snap their axles. Tires get shredded and tossed like filthy handkerchiefs.
But the motorists appear to hold up pretty well; there has never ever been a casualty at an organized drift event.
The occasions happen over 2 days. On Fridays, motorists make solo runs around the track to qualify for the next round. On Saturdays, the top 32 drivers require to the track in tandem runs in which the two automobiles are door to door-- simple inches apart.
In tandem runs, one is designated a lead vehicle. The chase car should follow its driving line as carefully as possible. They alternate.
Lead cars aim to create a space. Or they aim to obstruct the chase automobile, to require it off course.
Legend has it that wandering started in the 1960s in the snowy mountains of Japan, where motorists would slide automobiles through tight turns. In time, it discovered its way into Japanese motor sports when racers would speed into the peak of a corner, then drift through it rather than brake.
Eventually, drifting found its method to the united state and into Southern California's vehicle culture.
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles are important. Japanese imports are commonly favorites, such as the Nissan 240SX and 350Z, the Mazda RX-7 and older Toyota Corollas. Just like in the hot-rod generation, automobile stores throughout the Southland churn out parts that make it possible for wandering lovers to burn rubber at ever-increasing speeds.
The sport has actually brought an influx of company to makers of go-fast parts.
"It was once considered a trend," said Specialized Devices Market Assn. spokesperson Peter MacGillivray. "Not any longer."
Tire producers dig it the most. Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., based in Cypress, sponsors three Formula Drift drivers-- each of whom shredded about 20 tires last weekend.
Detroit car manufacturers have actually taken notice as well, sponsoring numerous drivers. They see it as a method to get in touch with future consumers, a younger generation more likely to see a three-minute drift tandem than a three-hour NASCAR race.
When rarities in competitors, Dodge Vipers and Chevrolet Camaros are prevalent. Because of drivers like Gittin, the Ford Mustang has likewise been significantly popular in drifting.
The 32-year-old local of Joppa, Md., started wandering as a weekend pastime. In the early 2000s, after leaving his shift as an IT expert in Arlington, Va., Gittin would load his Nissan 240SX loaded with tires and drive 3 1/2 hours to New Jersey, where he 'd compete in the very same vehicle, his daily motorist.
Today, his Mustang RTR-- all 845 horse power of it, painted black and neon green-- is awaiting him when he shows up to an occasion. He's sponsored by Monster Energy Beverage.
"One thing about this sport is that power is limitless," Gittin stated. "However don't get it incorrect. I've been beaten by guys with four-cylinders."
Kenshiro Gushi, 26, drives a turbocharged four-banger Scion FR-S for GReddy Racing. He found out drifting from his daddy, who moved the family to San Gabriel from Okinawa, Japan, when he was a baby.
By 13, Gushi was drifting on the dry lakes in a 1986 Toyota Corolla. Two years later on, he was captured wandering in the City of Industry. A year later, it occurred once more, so Gushi was quickly suspended from getting a driver's license up until he was 21.
"In those days, occasions would take place in a car park," Gushi said. "We 'd wander one corner at a time."
There will be 7 Solution Drift events nationwide this year, as well as others in Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia.
When the "Quick and the Furious" movie franchise brought out "Tokyo Drift" in 2006, it raised the profile of the sport in the united state, grabbing younger audiences.
Last week in Long Beach, hip-hop music blasted to a crowd of individuals in their 20s and 30s.
One was 23-year-old David Koh, a student from Corona, who has slapped a turbocharger on his 1993 Nissan 240SX and drifts in empty parking area.
"It's cool to see the pros do it," he stated at the event. "I 'd do it more if I could, but I need cash for new tires."