Daigo Saito for the win! Driving the Achilles Radial Lexus SC430 powered by a 2JZGTE engine and AEM Electronics Infinity ECU, defending 2012 Formula Drift champion Daigo Saito took first place honors at Formula D Round 2 this weekend at Road Atlanta.
The changes in weather made it extremely difficult for the drivers at Road Atlanta. The rain slicked track proved to be a challenge as the event entered into the Top 16 portion of the competition. (more…)
Posted by: Motor Mavens | May 13, 2013 | Categories: Newsworthy | Tags: 2JZGTE, Achilles Radial, AEM, AEM Electronics, BC Racing, Bridges Racing, Daigo Saito, Formula D, Formula Drift, Garrett Turbo, Infinity, Infinity ECU, Lexus, Lexus SC430, Road Atlanta, SC430, Sparco, Turbo by Garrett | 2 Comments »
Formula Drift on the
Streets of Long Beach is always an event not to be missed! The start of racing season (drifting season, actually) always feels like the first day of school. The drivers have new cars and new liveries, the race teams have new umbrella girls and updated outfits, and even photographers come through with new camera gear to capture the happenings at Formula Drift. This year, we had to contend with lots of clouds blocking out the California sun. We even had a little bit of rain fall at the event, but it certainly didn't dampen out spirits!
Read more...
Posted by: Antonio Alvendia | Apr 19, 2013 | Categories: Coverage | Tags: 2JZGTE, 350Z, Achilles, Achilles Tire, AEM, BRZ, Daigo Saito, Formula Drift, Forrest Wang, Infinity ECU, Jhonnattan Castro, Long Beach, S13, S14, Silvia, Subaru, toshiki yoshioka, Z33 | 3 Comments »
The Formula Drift 2013 season kicked off here in the streets of Long Beach! Every year as the roads in Long Beach get prepped for the Grand Prix, Formula Drift always has the honor of christening the pavement with tires and the air with tire smoke. With many new drivers debuting their car for the first time in pro leagues there are also a lot of returning veteran drivers on the lot. Every year having to outdo themselves a lot of drivers bring new cars and even more horsepower with them to the track. As we bring you live coverage of the weekends events follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, at @MOTORMAVENS and @86Fest, for updates and images of the First Formula Drift competition of the year.
Read more...Posted by: Mike Kim | Apr 13, 2013 | Categories: Coverage | Tags: Achilles Tire, Alex Lee, Chevy Camaro, Courtney Day, Dai Yoshihara, Daigo Saito, Daijiro Yoshihara, Discount Tire, Erica Nagashima, Falken, Falken Tire, Formula Drift, Forrest Wang, FRS, GoPro, Hankook, Holly Allen, Justin Pawlak, Megan Racing, Mike Kim, Robbie Nishida, S13, S14, Sadie May, Scion, Stephanie Kay, Taka Aono, Taryn Kelly, Tire, Tomei, toshiki yoshioka | 4 Comments »
Even if they didn't attend the jam packed
Formula Drift Finale at
Irwindale Speedway, all drifting fans with an internet connection already know that
Daigo Saito has been smashing the competition repeatedly all year, ascending the ranks of the
Formula Drift Championship and ending
his first year in Formula D in First Place as the
Formula Drift Series Champion.
Here's a collection of some of our favorite images captured from the event!
Read more...Posted by: Mike Kim | Oct 24, 2012 | Categories: Gallery | Tags: 2AZ, 350Z, 370Z, Achilles, AE86, Arley Elizabeth, Ashley Vee, BC Racing, Bergenholtz Racing, Camaro, Chelsea Denofa, Chris Forsberg, Dai Yoshihara, Daigo Saito, Daijiro Yoshihara, DJ Miki Taka, Falken Tire, FC3S, Formula D, Formula Drift, Formula Drift Championship, FRS, Irwindale, Irwindale Speedway, Jeremy Lowe, Julie Galindo, Justin Pawlak, Kaylee Alana, Ken Gushi, Lexus, Lutz Performance, Melanie Tillbrook, Mike Kim, Miki Taka, Mobil1, Nissan, Oliver Petalver, Olivia Korte, Randyl Dawn, Robbie Nishida, RX7, S15, SC300, SC430, Scion, Silvia, Soarer, Taka Aono, toshiki yoshioka, Toyota, Tyler McQuarrie, umbrella girls, Vaughn Gittin Jr, Walker Wilkerson, Yoshioka, Z33 | 10 Comments »
This last trip to Las Vegas for
Formula Drift was one hell of an eventful weekend. With a new course layout and drastically changing weather, the conditions took a toll on a lot of the teams. There were lots of tire scraps and car parts littered around the track when the day was done, not to mention the plethora of tire smoke from these high horsepower monsters. The sweltering heat and the freak 45 minute rain storm made it an interesting day at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With extremely fast entry speeds and high speed turns, the new course layout took out many cars from the running all weekend long.
Read more...Posted by: Mike Kim | Sep 06, 2012 | Categories: Gallery | Tags: 2JZ, Achilles Tires, Ashley Michaelsen, Chelsea Denofa, CX Racing, Daigo Saito, Drive Energy Drink, Falken Tire, Fatlace, FD, Fire, Ford Mustang, Formula D, Formula Drift, Forrest Wang, FR-S, Fredric Aasbo, Get Nuts Lab, GReddy, hankook tires, Hyundai, Hyundai Genesis, Ian Fournier, Instagram, Jofel Tolosa, Julie Galindo, Ken Gushi, Las Vegas, Lexus, Lexus SC430, Matt Field, Megan Racing, Mike Kim, MotorMavens, Nissan, Nitto Tire, Olivia Korte, Pike's Peak International Hill Climb, Randyl Dawn, Rhys Millen, RMR, Robbie Nishida, Roland Gallager, rotiform, RS-R, Ryan Davis, S13, S14, S15, Scion, Scion FR-S, Scion Racing, Silvia, Taka Aono, The Cosmopolitan, toshiki yoshioka, Trust, Tumblr, Twitter, V8, Vaughn Gittin Jr, YAER Productions | 4 Comments »
This year’s
Formula Drift event held at
Evergreen Speedway marked the sixth year that the track has hosted the FD Seattle event. Having been at every single one, I can honestly say that this year was no less amazing as every year before it. The stands and the pits were packed with adults and children alike, with every single person smiling from ear to ear!
Read more...Posted by: Lucas Perez | Jul 24, 2012 | Categories: Coverage | Tags: 1uz, 240sz, 2JZ, Alex Lee, BMW, BRZ, Cresta, Dai Yoshihara, Daigo Saito, drifting, Ford, Formula D, Formula Drift, FRS, Garage Autohero, JZX81, Ken Gushi, LS1, Lucas Perez, michael essa, Mustang, Nissan, Pat Mordaunt, Retaks, Ryan Tuerck, S13, SC430, Scion, TC, Tony Angelo, turbo, Vaughn Gittin Jr, Walker Wilkerson, Yoshi Shindo, Z4 | 5 Comments »
Formula Drift Round 5 at
Evergreen Speedway has to be one of my favorite events all year (albeit, I'm biased as a Seattle local)! Not only is it my home town, but this race track has one of the biggest bankings in the series - and just like
Irwindale Speedway, there's not much room for error. Everyone in the Northwest drifting community has witnessed a lot of crashes at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe WA throughout the years, and with something like 56 drivers registered for this event, we are sure to get one hell of a show this year!
Read more...
Posted by: Yoshi Shindo | Jul 20, 2012 | Categories: Coverage | Tags: Camaro, chevrolet, Conrad Grunewald, Daigo Saito, Evergreen Speedway, FC3S, Formula D, Formula D Seattle, Formula Drift, FRS, Garage Autohero, GReddy, Jeremy Lowe, Ken Gushi, Kyle Pollard, Lexus, Matt Field, Mazda, Monroe, Mustang, Nissan, Portland Speed Industries, RX7, S13.4, S14, S15, SC430, Scion, Scion FRS, Seattle, Silvia, toshiki yoshioka, Tyler McQuarrie, Vaughn Gittin Jr, Walker Wilkerson, Yoshi Shindo | 5 Comments »
The second round of the 2012
Formula Drift Championship took place at
Road Atlanta, and it couldn't have been more exciting! A brand new layout, controversial calls, quick-fixes, and outstanding battles are just a taste of the twists and turns that came about the weekend.
Read more...Posted by: Jonathan McWhorter | May 16, 2012 | Categories: Coverage | Tags: Achilles, ASD, Chevrolet Camaro, Daigo Saito, eBay Motors Mustang, Falken, Ford Mustang, Formula Drift, FR-S, Fredric Aasbo, Garrett Turbo, GoPro, Hankook, Hyundai Genesis, Joon Maeng, JTP, Justin Pawlak, Ken Gushi, Lexus, Louie Contreras, Mazda, Monster Energy, Need For Speed, Nissan, nitrous, Road Atlanta, round 2, RX-8, S13, S14, S15, SC430, Scion, Scion tC, Silvia, toshiki yoshioka, turbo, V8, Vaughn Gittin Jr, Walker Wilkerson | 3 Comments »
Formula Drift at Road Atlanta for 2012 brought a few new changes to the course this year. First and foremost, the layout of the track has been changed in the famed Turn 10 Complex. Instead of going through the "horseshoe" in a counterclockwise direction, it now is reversed. At first glance, one might think that this configuration is awkward, as the straightaway leading uphill (quite steep, mind you) to the horseshoe is rather long in relation to the tight corners of Turn 10a and 10b. However, the drivers have managed to adapt pretty well by adjusting their strategy for taking the course. Since drivers must keep momentum and speed to climb the hill, this layout change prohibits the extreme entries that we are used to seeing from previous years.
Read more...Posted by: Jonathan McWhorter | May 12, 2012 | Categories: Coverage | Tags: Brett May, Daigo Saito, Ford, Formula Drift, FR-S, GReddy, Jonathan McWhorter, Ken Gushi, Lexus, Mustang, Nissan, Retaks, Road Atlanta, RSR, Ryan Tuerck, S13, S15, SC430, Scion, Scion Racing, Scion tC, speed gun, Tony Angelo, toshiki yoshioka, Vaughn Gittin Jr | 5 Comments »
It's such a beautiful day here in Long Beach at the first round of the
2012 Formula Drift Championship season! The sun is shining, with a cool ocean breeze blowing the clouds of tire smoke. The loud roar of race engines at full throttle somehow mixes harmoniously with the squealing sounds of tires being decimated on the pavement. Not a bad way to spend a Good Friday.
Read more...Posted by: Antonio Alvendia | Apr 06, 2012 | Categories: Coverage | Tags: 2012 Formula Drift Championship, Achilles Tire, Antonio Alvendia, BMW, Camaro, Chaser, Conrad Grunewald, Daigo Saito, Falken, FC3S, FDLB, FNATZ, Formula D 2012, Formula Drift, FRS, Garage Boso, Hankook, Jeremy Lowe, JZX100, Mike Essa, Mike Kim, Nitto, Oliver Petalver, OS Giken, RX7, Ryan Tuerck, Scion, Scion FRS, Vaughn Gittin Jr, Yoshi Shindo, Z4 | 11 Comments »
Oh whaaaaat!!! The rumors are true! Just released today – it seems that D1 Grand Prix Champion driver Daigo Saito will be joining good friend Robbie Nishida at Bridges Racing to campaign a two-car team in the Formula Drift Championship. I suppose the question everyone has on their minds NOW is which car will Daigo be driving? (more…)
Posted by: Antonio Alvendia | Dec 13, 2011 | Categories: Newsworthy | Tags: 4AGE 20v, AE86, Antonio Alvendia, BN Sports, Bridges Racing, Bryan Bridges, Chaser, Cheralyn Hale, d1 grand prix, D1GP, Daigo Saito, Dax Rodriguez, FNATZ, Formula D, Formula Drift, JZX100, Rhys Millen, Robbie Nishida, toshiki yoshioka | 20 Comments »
I’ve been holding this info back for a couple days, and trust me – it’s pretty hard not to say anything when you have news like this! This is a pretty interesting piece of news here – Samuel Hubinette is currently in Japan, and plans to drive at the D1 Grand Prix event at Odaiba this coming weekend!
I received an email from Samuel, asking my opinion on which car I thought he should borrow for this weekend’s D1GP event – Daigo Saito‘s D1 Championship car, the FNATZ JZX100 Chaser, Takahiro Ueno‘s widebody JZZ30 Vertex Soarer, or Takahiro Ueno’s normal fendered JZZZ30 Vertex Soarer.
My vote was for Daigo’s super sick Chaser – first of all, it’s a D1GP Championship winning car for crying out loud; second of all, I thought the long wheel base and the big pendulum swinging characteristics of such a long drift car would be perfect for Samuel’s driving style. However, since I heard reports that Samuel was currently in Yokohama at Ueno-san’s car shop, Sui Vax, I’m guessing he opted for one of the Soarers. Either way, S.Hubinette is one hell of a driver, and I’m confident that he can drive anything with four wheels – probably even an Ikea Expedit bookcase or a Malm dresser. LOL
Speaking of Ikea, I can’t believe that Samuel has been drifting professionally this long, and Ikea still hasn’t sponsored him. They’re both Swedish after all; now that Mopar is no longer his title sponsor, I think Ikea needs to step up and sponsor the crazy Swede. Samuel has told me before that he loves going to Ikea in Irvine, because it reminds him of Sweden. He can chill out there and drink all the lingonberry juice he wants!
Could you just imagine Samuel’s pit area if Ikea were to sponsor him? Instead of an EZ-up with folding chairs, he’ll be rocking a bright red Ikea couch that folds into a bed; a furry white carpet on the ground; a difficult to assemble cabinet, and a million cheap tealight candles scattered all over the place.
Oh, umm… but back to the topic at hand, I’m sure Samuel will be putting on quite a show for the Japanese D1 audience. I just hope we don’t see Option Videos of Keiichi Tsuchiya and Manabu Suzuki saying “DRIFT YA RATER!!!”
:: Antonio Alvendia
Posted by: Antonio Alvendia | Mar 24, 2010 | Categories: Newsworthy | Tags: Antonio Alvendia, Chaser, d1, D1GP, Daigo Saito, Expedit, FNATZ, Grand Prix, Japan, JZX100, JZZ30, Keiichi Tsuchiya, Malm, Manabu Suzuki, Odaiba, Samuel Hubinette, Soarer, Sui Vax, Takahiro Ueno, Vertex | 24 Comments »
Since we didn't have time (or money) to go to the
D1 Grand Prix event at
Gulfstream Park in
Miami FL last weekend, we asked all our photographer friends if they were going, in hopes that we would get to see their photos. Well, we struck out. None of our close friends were going, even the ones that lived right there in Florida. Everyone seemed to have other plans that weekend - what's wrong with you guys?
Thankfully, with the help of our friend Google, we were able to find images posted on a forum by one of the guys from
Floridaracing.org. (We've seen some of these guys at the track before - whenever we see them at the track, we see them with multiple Canon DSLR bodies and some huge Canon lenses.) We were searching the internet for photos for a few days, and the ones found on
Floridaracing.org's album seem to be the best photos we've found from D1 Miami thus far. Props, guys!
Read more...Posted by: Motor Mavens | Jun 04, 2009 | Categories: Webmining | Tags: AE86, Chaser, d1, D1GP, Daigo Saito, FC3S, Forrest Wang, Impreza, JZX100, Kazuhiro Tanaka, Kumakubo, Miami, RX7, STi, Team Orange, WRX | Leave A Comment »
As the anticipation for the return of
the original drifting series that started it all built to nearly a fevered pitch, fans in Anaheim were anxiously chomping at the bite to fill the stands and catch a glimpse of some of Japan's finest drifters. There were some familiar names in attendance, such as
Nobushige Kumakubo,
Ken Nomura,
Takahiro Ueno,
Kazuhiro Tanaka,
Toshiki Yoshioka, as well as numerous hopefuls from the US and around the world.
Read more...Posted by: Dax Rodriguez | May 18, 2009 | Categories: Coverage | Tags: anaheim, Avon Bellamy, d1, d1 grand prix, D1GP, Daigo Saito, Dax Rodriguez, Drift Box, Formula Drift, Forrest Wang, Gumball 3000, Kumakubo, Takahiro Ueno | 14 Comments »
