VIDEO> Lone Star Drifting in Houston
Earlier this month, NonStopTuning and Fabricated Motorsports hosted the first round of our local Formula D Pro-Am series, complete with cash payout and points. It’s been a good minute since I’ve posted a video on MotorMavens, but like many of you, I have been all too busy these past few months. However, if I told you I haven’t made anything since then, I would be lying.
Allow me to cut straight to the point. I’ll be the first to tell you I really dislike AE86s (*gasp* Antonio), however my good friend Robert Lee for some reason or another still drives one without it completely falling apart. He doesn’t just drive it though… he drifts the piss out of it… just like a real man should. And that’s exactly what he did at the Houston Pro Am at Gulf Greyhound Park.
Robert easily had one of the lowest powered cars (if not THE lowest powered car) out on the grid. On a good day, Rob’s purple thunder lays down an INSANE 113whp. However this past Sunday, he managed to take home a much deserved win, beating everybody, including Chelsea DeNofa (last year’s XDC champ in case you forgot) – check the vid and to see how he did it. (more…)
COVERAGE> Lone Star Bash is Texas Drifting!
You've probably heard the saying, "Everything is Bigger in Texas." Well, it definitely holds a bit of truth when you're talking about the grassroots drifting scene in Texas. There are a tremendous amount of talented drivers, some amazingly well built cars, and plenty of events year round.
The downside to such an active scene is that every driver doesn't go to every event. Many of the best Texas drivers are now competing nationally, so schedule conflicts and the financial burden that comes with competition keep them from attending as often. You may go to an event and experience a less than stellar turnout and end up missing all of your favorite drivers. Luckily, Aaron Losey of Fabricated Motorsports has found a solution - once a year, a huge event is thrown in Mineral Wells, TX. This is the event that tops every other event of the year... Lone Star Bash! Everybody goes to Lone Star Bash!
I decided I'd go ahead and catch a ride with my friends at 786 Motoring since they'd be trailering Ameen Rizvi's 2JZGTE powered Toyota Cressida (previously featured on MotorMavens) up to Mineral Wells for the event. You can't beat a road trip! Sometimes, you have nearly as much fun on the road as you do at the events, especially when you're in a truck packed with six or seven friends. There is definitely never a dull moment with these guys! Read more...
The downside to such an active scene is that every driver doesn't go to every event. Many of the best Texas drivers are now competing nationally, so schedule conflicts and the financial burden that comes with competition keep them from attending as often. You may go to an event and experience a less than stellar turnout and end up missing all of your favorite drivers. Luckily, Aaron Losey of Fabricated Motorsports has found a solution - once a year, a huge event is thrown in Mineral Wells, TX. This is the event that tops every other event of the year... Lone Star Bash! Everybody goes to Lone Star Bash!
I decided I'd go ahead and catch a ride with my friends at 786 Motoring since they'd be trailering Ameen Rizvi's 2JZGTE powered Toyota Cressida (previously featured on MotorMavens) up to Mineral Wells for the event. You can't beat a road trip! Sometimes, you have nearly as much fun on the road as you do at the events, especially when you're in a truck packed with six or seven friends. There is definitely never a dull moment with these guys! Read more...
ROADTRIP> Drifting Culture is Alive in Brazil!
A few months ago, my good friends Ameen and Amir Rizvi, owners of 786 Motoring, a drift and performance shop in Houston, told me that a big opportunity had come up and they wanted a photographer to come along. I said, "Sure, no problem!"
Then they said we'd be going to Brazil. Wait, BRAZIL!?
They explained that Leo Malfatti, owner of TTR Tuning, wanted to hold a drift event in Brazil in collaboration with Drift Company Brasil, the country's leading drift crew. Leo felt that 786 Motoring had the reputation and experience to assist and contribute. Leo had approached many shops, but Amir and Ameen were the only ones that had taken him seriously. I wasn't surprised that 786 Motoring was the shop he connected with -- they're a great bunch of guys with an extreme dedication to the sport.
After considerable planning and collaborating, things started to take shape and the trip was scheduled. Our plan was to meet and hang out with Drift Company, document our trip, discuss cars and setups, and talk about the overall logistics of drifting in Brazil. Unfortunately, Ameen had an issue securing his passport at the last minute. However, if everything worked out as planned, we also knew we'd probably have the chance to return to Brasil. Read more...
They explained that Leo Malfatti, owner of TTR Tuning, wanted to hold a drift event in Brazil in collaboration with Drift Company Brasil, the country's leading drift crew. Leo felt that 786 Motoring had the reputation and experience to assist and contribute. Leo had approached many shops, but Amir and Ameen were the only ones that had taken him seriously. I wasn't surprised that 786 Motoring was the shop he connected with -- they're a great bunch of guys with an extreme dedication to the sport.
After considerable planning and collaborating, things started to take shape and the trip was scheduled. Our plan was to meet and hang out with Drift Company, document our trip, discuss cars and setups, and talk about the overall logistics of drifting in Brazil. Unfortunately, Ameen had an issue securing his passport at the last minute. However, if everything worked out as planned, we also knew we'd probably have the chance to return to Brasil. Read more...
COVERAGE> Drifting at Mineral Wells, Texas
Mineral Wells is a small city nestled deep in the countryside west of Dallas, Texas. It is a calm, rural town surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. The atmosphere is generally peaceful and quiet, but occasionally through the year the silence is broken by the sounds of screeching tires, exhausts, and blow off valves as drifters roll in to participate in one of the most premiere drifting venues in the state!
The drifting is held in a lot located just behind the runway at the Mineral Wells Airport. It was built over sixty years ago as a Cold War helicopter landing pad and decommissioned shortly afterward - sitting empty for years until automotive enthusiasts began renting it out for grassroots events. What makes this venue so incredible is the vast expanse of open area. With enough cones, you can build a course easily capable of triple digit entry speeds. You won't find a faster venue in the state. The large size also allows plenty of room for trucks, trailers, and tents as well.
Aaron Losey of Fabricated Motorsports (the guy in the striped shirt and beanie) is the man behind the majority of the drift events in Texas. His events are always very well organized and safe, with a fun and laid back atmosphere. The attendance level is usually very good, with driver experience ranging from some of the best talent in the nation to absolute rookies with no driving time whatsoever. Luckily, the more experienced drivers are always willing to offer assistance and Aaron usually spends the majority of his time giving hands-on training. Read more...
The drifting is held in a lot located just behind the runway at the Mineral Wells Airport. It was built over sixty years ago as a Cold War helicopter landing pad and decommissioned shortly afterward - sitting empty for years until automotive enthusiasts began renting it out for grassroots events. What makes this venue so incredible is the vast expanse of open area. With enough cones, you can build a course easily capable of triple digit entry speeds. You won't find a faster venue in the state. The large size also allows plenty of room for trucks, trailers, and tents as well.
Aaron Losey of Fabricated Motorsports (the guy in the striped shirt and beanie) is the man behind the majority of the drift events in Texas. His events are always very well organized and safe, with a fun and laid back atmosphere. The attendance level is usually very good, with driver experience ranging from some of the best talent in the nation to absolute rookies with no driving time whatsoever. Luckily, the more experienced drivers are always willing to offer assistance and Aaron usually spends the majority of his time giving hands-on training. Read more...
CARSPOTTING> Walker, Texas Drifter
The drifter archetype has changed. Today in America, drifting has become the life, in part or whole, to many different people from all walks of life. When I met Russell Walker for the first time and learned he piloted this ready to rock machine, I wasn't too surprised. However, meeting him outside of a drifting event, you probably wouldn't suspect that he's a newly licensed Formula D driver.
In high school, where most young men start to entertain their desires, he started to cultivate an interest in the automotive world. He grew up in Texas, so of course he had a truck at first... but that didn't stop him from causing mayhem. Running over curbs, signs and getting sideways in the rain was a common occurrence for Russell and his truck. However, as far away as Japan is from Texas, the drifting bug still bit him. He picked up this Nissan S13 240sx for $500 at the age of 17 and never looked back. It's his first actual car, and I'd say it's come quite a way from being the white hatch with black Silvia front end that it was a few years ago. Read more...
In high school, where most young men start to entertain their desires, he started to cultivate an interest in the automotive world. He grew up in Texas, so of course he had a truck at first... but that didn't stop him from causing mayhem. Running over curbs, signs and getting sideways in the rain was a common occurrence for Russell and his truck. However, as far away as Japan is from Texas, the drifting bug still bit him. He picked up this Nissan S13 240sx for $500 at the age of 17 and never looked back. It's his first actual car, and I'd say it's come quite a way from being the white hatch with black Silvia front end that it was a few years ago. Read more...
