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Group
A Competition Video Footage
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Group
A Competition Scores & Season Points
Changes to
format improves track time for all competitors
Drift Session is embarking on a path towards a better future and is
determined to create a higher level of performance drifting in
Hawaii. Fair warning,
there may be some difficult times along the way for some wannabe
competitors who will need to keep up with all of the upcoming
changes in order to make the “big show”.
The management of Drift Session, combining a few lessons
learned during the recent evolution of their Super Lap Series along
with dreams of a brighter future for drifting locally, is revamping
the format for Drift Session events henceforth.
New handbooks have been created and are available at all
events to explain the changes and new requirements and participants
are forewarned of additional changes including safety upgrade
requirements yet to be added. Drift
Session, after much deliberation, has decided that these changes are
required in response to both safety concerns as well as our desire
to elevate our sport to a higher standard.
We hope that all drivers of all abilities will recognize the
value associated with this and be patient and understanding during
this period of development.
New Practice
Format
The new format for practice was modified to minimize any immediate
negative effect on all drivers for the next few events.
The major change was that; for two ten-minute periods
throughout the day a group of the most advanced drivers (in the
highest performance cars and sporting a look worthy of a
professional image) had the track to themselves.
This class, known as “Group A,” was selected at noon by
the Drift Session staff after studying applicants throughout morning
practice. The size was limited to ten competitors for this event
(however only six were selected) in an attempt to provide special
focus for these drivers (some of who compete regularly as
professionals in the “D-1 Grand Prix” and “Formula D”
series). Meanwhile everybody else was allowed to practice in the
standard format with rookies spinning out and drivers flying by,
ignoring waving yellow flags and committing various other rule
infractions. Learning
to pay attention to flags and rules should be the main focus of
drivers yet to advance to "Group A” and failure to do so will
continue to prevent their advancement.
We often hear that flags are hard to see and there are
countless excuses, but the bottom line is that you won’t see
"Group A” drivers making rule infractions because if they do
they too will be relegated to a less advanced group having to earn
their way back to the higher status.
What it Takes
to be a "Group A” Driver
As most competitors know by now, 400 horsepower would be helpful,
but it is certainly not required; Royce Fujimoto is an excellent
example. What it does
take to be a “Group A” driver is so much commitment that other
than drifting you don’t have a much of a life, enough experience
not to crack under the most extreme pressure and the look and poise
of a professional. “Group A” is about image. Without it, we can’t expect
businesses to be interested in supporting us, and without it, you as
drivers can’t expect businesses to support you.
Within six months, we hope to have a minimum of 16 “Group
A” drivers at each event to begin tandem eliminations just like
Formula D and D1 competitions. However, in order to achieve this we
need the drivers to elevate their ability, vehicle performance,
image, and attitude along with safety awareness and safety products.
In 6 months time, “Group A” will be a fully competitive
class requiring roll bars, four point harnesses, fire extinguishers,
complete paint jobs (no primer or miss-matched color panels and car
must be relatively straight) and personal safety gear.
We understand that this imposes a heavy responsibility on
many drivers who wish to compete and that it will take time and
continuing development to get to this level, however, by offering
substantial cash awards we hope this incentive draws in support for
the drivers as well as the events.
The Drift Session will be significantly upping prize purses
when full fields of competitors fill “Group A.” The prize money
will be yours for the taking, but will you have what it takes to
claim your share?
Future Groups
“B,” “C,” and “D”
Groups “B,” “C,” and “D,” are going to eventually be the
steps in the evolution to a higher level of drifting.
After “Group A” all remaining drivers that lap on the
short course will fall into one of these classes.
At this point in time and in an effort to further create
fairness for all participants, we will only be introducing “Group
A” to our events. It is recommended that all Short Course drivers complete at least 3
Long Course Turn One Drift Session events prior to running at the
Short Course in order to establish the basic car control required
for continuous lapping.
How the
Competition Format Was Held
As usual, this latest competition was held in a single car format
and most of the drivers were familiar to us, but nothing else of the
old format remained the same. Five of the six “Group A” drivers that were selected
lined their cars up at the timing shack and prepared for their
assault on the track as Shane Oliberos had mechanical difficulties
and was unable to compete. The
plan was; for a driver to have sufficient distance to gain maximum
speed to drift the Chicane / Off Camber combination and scoot down
into the staging lanes toward the drag strip where organizers had
placed a barrel. At the
barrel, the drivers were to then hang a u-turn and retrace their
path back to the start (and finish) line; all the while sliding with
no wheels off-road, hitting all the apexes at top speed without miss
shifting or under-steering as well as following the multitude of
other technical aspects of the do’s and don’ts of competitive
drifting.
And the Winner
is…
Gene Cho, was a name unfamiliar to me, but his performance was
definitely worthy of the 1st place money and recognition
($100 was awarded to the winner of the competition, the first of
many future payouts yet to come from the Drift Session).
Highly deserving of the win, Gene completed nearly a flawless
run with a final score of 83 out of a possible 100 points. Gene’s
black 240sx coupe tore through the roadway at top speed while
maintaining perfect control. Barry Wong had a pretty solid run but
missed a few apexes and hesitated in his approach to the chicane,
breaking momentum and thus loosing him a few points. Shige
Hirabayashi spun-out on his return back through the Off-Camber,
causing an instant disqualification, but he executed the most
dynamic u-turn at the barrel. Royce Fujimoto put a wheel into the
dirt at the exit of the off camber (causing a 10 point deduction)
and was a bit weak at the U-Turn which also hurt his score. Steve
Oliberos missed an inopportune shift coming down the hill that
ruined his rhythm heading for the U-Turn, the hesitation caused him
to straighten for a moment thus ruining his momentum.
We felt the competition was much more exciting than at
previous events and now much harder since drivers need to link all
the corners together while making no mistakes in order to score
well. Aspiring “Group
A” drivers need to continually study and learn from these
opportunities to see what it takes to compete at the top of our
sport in Hawaii and they require much patience, commitment and
fortitude to achieve this level. The Drift Session management wishes
good luck and a safe ride to all of you.
DriftSession
workers have opportunity to earn worker bucks
With the addition of some new workers and the format changes we are
implementing it is giving our staff some opportunities to drive that
had previously been unavailable due to the intensiveness of running
the events short-staffed. We
are continuing a “worker bucks” program, on a limited basis:
It allows for a $30 value earned to be used as a credit for
Drift Session and Super Lap events.
This seems to be working out quite nicely as it gives us an
opportunity to expose our guys and girls to both facets of our
organization and we are encouraged by the results experienced so
far.
Super Lap
Series T-shirts on sale and 15% 0ff Mechanix Wear Coupons
As you know by now, Race
Events Hawaii now has Super Lap Series T-shirts for sale for $15
(see Tom at the track). Very
importantly, in an opportunity to provide an avenue towards
acquiring safety gear, we are taking names for roll cages/bars (11)
and window nets (5) [the # represents the number of buyers so far]
so please get back to us if you are interested as the more the
merrier (cheaper). Finally,
and very importantly, we are trying to develop a partnership with
Mechanix Wear and are distributing 15% off merchandise coupons at
all of our events in order for them to see that our market warrants
their involvement. If
you missed the coupon just print the copy (it can be found on the superlapseries.com
website) and it will be honored at AutoPro.
You simply can’t go wrong with the Mechanix Wear quality
products and when you provide the coupon at the time of purchase it
proves an allegiance with our company and events thus potentially
leading to some product sponsorship for events and Championships in
the future.
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