Ken Nomura may be one of the oldest drifters hanging around the D1 paddock, but that doesn’t mean he is a step behind the competition in this youth oriented competition. Nomura made his professional drifting debut back in 2001 and has been piloting the same Blitz sponsored Nissan Skyline ever since. Unlike most drifters that prefer lightweight agile machines, Nomuken (as he is also known) prefers to celebrate the larger four-door skyline and is best known for his big smoke technique and comedic antics. He is also the reason why the aftermarket parts manufacturer Greddy made a high performance intake manifold for Nissan’s RB25 engine.
The Japanese drifter Nobushige Kumakubo is praised for his efforts behind the wheel as well as his contributions to the sport and is considered a pioneer of drifting. Kumakubu was fortunate enough to inherit a large parcel of land in the Fukushima countryside where he gave back to the drifting community by constructing the acclaimed Ebisu Circuit. Aside from being a track owner he is also the founder of Team Orange, one of the most successful drifting teams in D1 history. He also founded Big X, a motorsport spectable that combines drifting with freestyle motocross, supermoto and other extreme automotive activities.
Drifting is more than a pastime in Japan. It is a way of life. Thanks to the folks at Speedhunters.com, we can share this look into the world of drifting from one of the most infamous circuits in Japan. Built by Team Orange founder Nobushige Kumakubo, Ebisu is the ultimate destination for enthusiasts of the sideways sport from around the world. Here these drifters are not competing for medals or other tangible prizes, instead aspiring for something much more important, respect.
Drifting is a difficult motorsport to master, after initiating the drift with either a pull of the handbrake or a drivetrain shocking clutch kick with you are then charged with delicately balancing the sideways sliding machine. Everyone’s favorite racing driver turned television host Tiff Needell from Fifth Gear tried his hand at drifting a Toyota Soarer (read Lexus SC300) at the inaugural D1GP event in the UK. Check out the video to see how he did.
Get ready drifting fans, because the top tier of this professional motorsport is coming stateside. The D1GP USA schedule is limited to only 4 events so make sure you get out there before they slide on past a location near you.
There is a lot more to the D1GP USA than just sideways smokey burnouts. On hand will be the lovely ladies of the D1 Model Program, the Extreme Autofest car show, motorcycle stunt riding, skate demos, R/C drifting and of course umbrella girls!
The first event will take place at Anaheim Stadium on May 2nd, if you are lucky enough you could win two free tickets compliments of Top Speed.
The Formula D season got underway last weekend at the Streets of Long Beach. There was plenty of sideways action and a new face atop the podium. The 2008 Formula D driver of the year Ryan Tuerk was able to slide his Pontiac Solstice into first place at the inaugural event of the season.
Even though the sport of drifting originated in the land of the rising sun, that doesn’t mean European machines cannot participate in the sideways antics. No one demonstrates this better than South Florida drifter Eric Mahle. Eric appears to be unstoppable flicking the wheel of his turbocharged BMW E30 back and forth getting maximum angle from his German built drift machine. But not just any car can drift. Mr. Mahle has put in countless hours dialing in the suspension setup and tuning the now boosted straight six to create the perfect blend of handling and power that makes rubber donuts cry uncle.
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