Question for you "drifters" in the US

[Dj Elektrique]

I was offered a job "teaching" a drift course, i guess you could call it. Do you think drifting is a desireable enough sport in the US that people would pay money to learn? It will be a 2 day thing, just teaching basic car control, driving a line, getting started, and car set up. Experience and age limits will be set as a requirement.

problem is...
a) I live in Japan, and I don't want to leave.
b) I DON'T want to live in California (where this school will be located)
c) busy enough to support me year 'round?
d) I kinda think drifting shoudl stay "underground" in the US
e) I REALLY don't want to live in California (or drive on the left side of the car for that matter)

Its all just in the works now, the "company" hasn't even started or organized, but one of the organizers talked to me and offered me this oppurtunity. It sounds good, i could inject some of the same good points and characteristics of the Japanese drifting "life" into it, like respect, responsibility, fun, and safety.

If drifting is getting popular in the US, I would like to see it done right with the right attitude and style by helping in anyway I could. I mean im not a professional by no means, hell im on the amature level as far as the Japanese skill goes, but I know I could help get it started right. I did see a pretty large following for it when I visited the US recently and a drift event, but even the best drifters at the event didn't compare to even a beginner here and thats where I see further teaching/influence needed. Don't get me wrong, for people not having ANY first hand experience either witnessing or participating in the Japanese drift scene, they sure did a helluva job, I was surprised and happy to see how could they were with no real teachers.

Anyway, what do you think?

[Imagine]

What price range are we talkin, Mike? I mean yeah people might pay a little bit but I think most people would be partial to keeping it underground. And would the cars be provided to us (like a real High performance driving school) or would this be a run-what-you-brung sort of deal? What part of California are we talking?

I don't think the sport would be popular enough here let alone anywhere in the US to keep you in business throughout the whole year either. There are decent amount of people who do it on thier own, privately.

On the part of coming here to California, this place isn't very Nissan friendly. Knowing how much you love S13s, if you tried to own one here, the only thing you can do is suspension. The KA motor sucks. You could SR swap it but there's just so much hassle because California has strict emissions that you might pay alot of money under the table just to have it pass. It's not worth it. And getting another Hachi would be out of the question for you, they are hard to find for cheap now with thier popularity.

Anyway, the idea sounds very intriguing

[ridge]

Drifting can only be learnt from practice practice and more practice. Right now when people say they're drifting, what they really do is pull their hand brake half way thru the corner.

When I swing the car sideways 5-6 car lengths before the corner actually comes. People say I lose it too early and beacuse of that I drift thru the corner too slow.

[ridge]

oops.. I forgot the important part.

I suggest you dun't come to North America to teach drifting. There are not many tracks here desinated for drifting, and the OG auto-X peeps dun't really like the fact that others around them drift.
The worst is, when some 18 year old just took this "drift course" they will think they are Takami Fijiwara and start acting up and causing trouble

However, there IS a saying, someones gotta do the dirty work.
If you back up on this job, someone else will probably take it.

[Raziel]

I wouldnt mind paying to learn how to do it right. Hell it would probably save a lot of lives.

[Dj Elektrique]

Originally posted by ridge
The worst is, when some 18 year old just took this "drift course" they will think they are Takami Fijiwara and start acting up and causing trouble

see...
this is what MAY be prevented by having a school. If the class is taught right, then it would teach how important responsible driving is when NOT on a track.

PLUS.. you have to remember, most people willing to pay for a school like this are not the type that are going to be imature about their driving habits and think they are "takumi" or something.
The school will be intended to try and instill some values and respect for others on the street and teach the "right time and place".
What makes drifting in Japan so great and so big, is the values that follow it. You don't see a full drift tuned 180sx racing down the highway cutting through traffic or pulling drifts at intersections in broad daylight with people around.

one more thing...
this isn't just about me coming there to teach this.. its really about ANYONE in my position (american living here who is into drifting and can do it with some kind of skill). Im not the only one, I just seem to be the only one who is active on message boards and on the internet, it comes from my days of BBS, before AOL. Anyway, there are ALOT of guys like me here, mostly Military or civilian, hell, I hang with 3 other guys daily who come with me to the local touges and circuits. Not to mention the Velocity Team which has alot of drifting members.

[Raziel]

Originally posted by Dj Elektrique

see...
this is what MAY be prevented by having a school. If the class is taught right, then it would teach how important responsible driving is when NOT on a track.

PLUS.. you have to remember, most people willing to pay for a school like this are not the type that are going to be imature about their driving habits and think they are "takumi" or something.
The school will be intended to try and instill some values and respect for others on the street and teach the "right time and place".
What makes drifting in Japan so great and so big, is the values that follow it. You don't see a full drift tuned 180sx racing down the highway cutting through traffic or pulling drifts at intersections in broad daylight with people around.

one more thing...
this isn't just about me coming there to teach this.. its really about ANYONE in my position (american living here who is into drifting and can do it with some kind of skill). Im not the only one, I just seem to be the only one who is active on message boards and on the internet, it comes from my days of BBS, before AOL. Anyway, there are ALOT of guys like me here, mostly Military or civilian, hell, I hang with 3 other guys daily who come with me to the local touges and circuits. Not to mention the Velocity Team which has alot of drifting members.

Well it would be a good idea if sumone did dat. If u find sumone or decide to do anything feel free to email me TenzO989@yahoo.com.

[Soarer]

there is a drifting course? wtf, never knew that, all this time ive been spending in big parking lots by myself:)

anyway, its not the season to do anything here (too much snow). i've seen the auto-x schools but didnt know they actually tought drifting, cause i definitely need some teaching

i dont pull the ebrake much, mostly "shift lock" if thats the right word or technique name

[XiaoMing]

i definitely suggest it, but impose STRICT LIMITs
my first autocross event (1 month ago) had very good rules, no display of speed or ANYTHING (except on the autocross course, DUH;) ) and the people there were very mature, and all had a very good attitude towards autocross
unlike hot imports nite i went to last year, where ricers everywhere were thikning they were hot shit
pretty much, if the rules and punishment were drastic enough, and the environment was serious, i'm sure it could definitely turn out to be a productive thing
as for not wanting to live in cali... hey, you live in japan, who could blame ya?, but cali aint THAT bad, just less porno :D
but as for drifting being underground, if autocrossing was underground, we would have many more people being reckless on the streets, but instead they can take out their need for speed on a safe designated area.
also, there are PLENTY of people who think they're hardcore racers, but barely any of them attend autocrossing events, only the people who are truly into it, so i would assume the same goes for drifting...

please, PLEASE come here :D oh, and is the school in the bay area? yesyes? hehe

[Jspec]

what's wrong with california??

Southern California always has the largest auto-x turnout compare to rest of the nation. we have the most car per person per square feet than any other state.

if you are worry about riceboys showing up trying to learn how to drift you really don't have to. the track will be in middle of no where. it'll be expensive as hell. and almost no riceboy drive a RWD vehicle. or a stick shift for that matter.

i personally don't even think you'll need to go to a track. you should contact SCCA and see if they will allow you to teach people how to drift at auto-x. and deisng those cones so they are wide enough for ppl to drift around the corner.

[ridge]

Originally posted by Jspec
what's wrong with california??

Southern California always has the largest auto-x turnout compare to rest of the nation. we have the most car per person per square feet than any other state.


Believe me, that is nothing compared to some Asian Countries like Japan and Hong Kong.

http://www5.airnet.ne.jp/custom/dpa00/dpa000825dmw/033.jpg

The meeting spot at "big black" Daikaku in the picture above is like this every weekend.

It is common for people to live for cars. Putting 100% of his salary and put it in his/her car. People would owe rent money and live on Ramen.

[Dj Elektrique]

lol... we go to Daikoku every weekend, but Friday nights are the best, that picture you posted is on a Saturday night with all the show cars, big speaker cars, hyro's, VIP, vans, but on Friday night its the Wangan racers, drifters, car club meetings.

I don't want to live in Cali. because of the stupid ass laws that state has, I just quit smoking but.. damn, you can't even smoke if you wanted to? WTF? Plus, the emissions laws, im from Florida and we can do anything we want to our cars and thats what I like, forget it in Cali. See, if come back to the US I WILL bring my Silvia and probably some other cars, kouki 180sx, maybe a 4 door GTS-T Skyline and none of those will pass emissions. I must have atleast 1 SR20 powered car in the states and its just too much of a pain in the ass there.

[XiaoMing]

*drool*
fuck you and your nice rides:p

[Mr 20Valve]

Dj Elektrique,

how about Australia?

why dont you come down under & teach us???? thered be hundreds of people who would be willing to pay a little bit of money to go through some drift-training...

at least you wouldnt have to live in CA, Japan is pretty close if you wanna go back & we all drive on the right side of the car here anyway!!

:D

worth thinking about?

[Jspec]

you can always register the car under Florida plate and have a florida driver's license. they can't even touch you. beside...i will be the least of bit concern about cops harassing you. you are/was in the military. that's like automatical respect from the police officers already.

i wouldn't choose to live anywhere else just base on food alone. you can't get more autenthic asian food anywhere in the states except california. ;)

[max_misawa]

I would ask the company to hire you on a trial/temp. basis that way if you enjoy teching this class you could make up your mind then. and if you didnt like it you could go back to JP.
just a thought

Max

[Dj Elektrique]

or I could go fly there only on the teaching days, like for 1 week at a time, once a month.

having a florida registered car in CA would be a great idea

as far as "authentic asian food" being only in Cali or only the best in Cali would be very hard to say, you obviously havn't been to Hawaii. Hawaii is the next closest thing to Japan without being in Japan, its like 40% Japanese for one, lol, and they have all the japanese stores on that island. Plus, don't forget about New York, millions of Asian people there and great eateries.

Damn, Australia is a great idea, I have always wanted to go there, its close to Japan, right hand drive, SR powered cars = ok, crazy ass Aussies with ballz of steel... blonde girls to feast on... er.. look at, thats a tempting idea.

[ridge]

hehe, Mike, I guess now that you married a Japanese woman, you can be considered half Japanese yourself.

hehehe.. what better place to get Asian food other than Asia itself! HongKong, Japan, China and Thailand are probably 2nd to none in terms of food.

[BattleVersion]

If any of you are interested in instruction for drifting, i may be of service. If you are planning on going to the speedtrials event on the 23rd or in the bay area and would like to have private instruction, email me at acurota@earthlink.net. Yes the "drifting" is lacking in the US and will never be as popular as in Japan. The cars are not setup for it, the tracks are not setup for it. We can only get what we can.
My background, been drifting since around 93, mostly mountains, worked at russel racing school (a road racing school), run alot of track events and have held my own drift/track events, have won the speedtrial drift competition, run in nasa, scca, poc, pca, speedtrial, touring car club and have some track records.< yes i can drive

Just to give you an idea, a friend of mine is a private driver coach, he is charging $300 a day for 4, 20 minute sessions.
Email me if your serious
Alex

[Mr 20Valve]

Originally posted by Dj Elektrique

crazy ass Aussies with ballz of steel... blonde girls to feast on...

NOW youre getting the idea!! :D

seriously though, you could make a killing down here...

[Jspec]

nah, i've been to hawaii. their japanese food is excellent. but their pho sucks. chinese food also ain't that great. its about 80% asian though. its "not" United States IMO. feels totally different

I used to live in NYC. i hate cantonese food. their japanese food, again, excellent but very very pricy, not to mention the chief yells at you if you don't finish the food and waiter chase after you if you don't give enough tips ( hehe..yes, i found out the hardway ). pho eh...lets say i don't want to get killed. i never go on the other side of Lafayette street.

austrilia sounds like a good idea. i personally woudn't mind living there. air is fresher in southern hamsphere.

[krzyxrevver12]

is there a drifting course a tourist type person can take in japan? hehe... i would work my ass off to go drift in japan all summer

[LilBoiBlu]

hey tell the people offering you the job to pay for you to bring your cars and get them to passed the emissions test, i wouldnt mind taking a class...depending on the price, but its better then trying to drift on the freeway and kill people.

[DK]

Mike, I don't think the US is ready for your penis.