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After yet another 3
weeks of anticipation, the Drift Session 2 was upon us again.
Knowing that HRP was going to be busy due to the Alaska Hawaii
Shootout that night, the Drift Session gates opened early and sent
its drivers down to the Napa Win Lights, just beyond short course
turn 1.
 
Dozens of drag race
vehicle containers and trailers littered the skid pad, forcing the
drifters to set up their pit area in another location on the track.
After some initial confusion, the drifters quickly adapted to their
new surroundings and set up shop.
 
The February Drift
Session 2 also marked the start of a new event format and price
change for 2004. Intermediate and advanced drivers wanting to lap
the short course had their entry fee reduced to $65 and beginner
drivers just wanting to practice on long course turn 1 had their
entry fee reduced to $20, the same as a regular Drift Session event.
 
The pit area filled
up quickly with beginner and advanced drivers alike. Drivers were
busily changing tires and making suspension adjustments in
preparation for the day. Another increasing trend for more advanced
drivers is the purchase of brand new tires for drifting. According
to the drivers, using new tires rather than used salvage tires
allows them more control. The tires also wear at a more predictable
rate and allow the drivers more run time without stopping for tire
changes.
At the end of the
day, 16 drivers moved down to Long Course Turn 1 for the drift
competition. It was the 2nd installment of the 2004 points
championship series and Barry Wong was leading the way.
 
Drifters were
informed at a quick drivers meeting that the judging was going to be
based more on speed and angle rather than choku-doris in this points
season. The judges would keep a careful eye on drivers to make sure
that they were using every inch of the roadway, apexing the corner
properly, maintaining good speed throughout the corner, and
performing a clean exit.
 
Veteran driver Earl
Huang started the competition with a 79 point pass leaving
spectators in a cloud of white smoke. The only damper on Earls
performance was the loss of speed due to his endless string of
choku-doris leading into Turn 1. Lance Tsubota followed shortly
thereafter with blazing entry speed. Lance was so close to the edge
of the road on his approach that we were certain his vehicle would
end up in the dirt. Lance quickly pitched his vehicle sideways and
apexed Turn 1 properly, but bogged out on his exit, leaving him with
a score of 82. January winner Barry Wong returned to competition
with his 240sx gradually moving his vehicle across the roadway to
the edge of the road, before pitching it out to clear turn 1 while
spewing smoke everywhere. In the end, it was Barry Wong with a score
of 84 pulling out the win and remaining the points leader for the
2004 season. Due to the absence of Ross Petty and the 4th place
finish of Steve Oliberos at this month's competition, Barry retains
a commanding lead over the rest of the field.
 
Another driver worthy
of notice is newcomer Kelii Battung, who piloted his 1986 Toyota
Celica Supra to a 6th place finish in the competition. Kelii
performed a string of choku-doris into turn 1 with good speed and
control, giving him a score of 72.
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