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Drift Session
Company Overview
The Best in
Motorsports Entertainment
The Origin of the Drift Session
In April
2001, David Shimokawa and Tom Bryant joined together to create an entirely new
form of motorsports event in the United States. Due to the stagnancy of the
import motorsports and car show market, the Drift Session was created to
rekindle interest in import motorsports performance while attempting to provide
a positive alternative to illegal street racing along public highways and
mountain roads.
Drifting is a
driving technique that originated in Japan and has slowly made its way to
America via Hawaii. In drifting, a driver exceeds the amount of available
traction and causes his vehicle to perform a controlled slide across the
roadway. Much more than simply “burning out,” drifting is regarded as
artistic expression in the motorsports world with each competitor applying a
myriad of techniques and stylistic differences to their driving performance.
When the
Drift Session opened its doors to the public in May of 2001, it was the first
ever motorsports event based on the sport of drifting in Hawaii. After the
initial success of the first Drift Session, events were scheduled through the
remainder of 2001, creating the first regularly scheduled drifting event in
America.
In order to
legitimize the new sport of drifting, the Drift Session created set of rules, a
scoring format, and a judging system for drifting so that competitive events
could be added to its schedule. Regular drift competitions were held monthly
making the Drift Session the first competitive series for drifting in the United
States and the first legitimate organization and sanctioning body for drifting
in America. As of November 2003, the Drift Session has held more drifting events
than all other drifting event promoters in the United States combined.
Drift Session Events
The
Drift Session consists of 3 types of events:
1.
Drift Session events. Similar to Solo 2 racing in which a single vehicle makes
its way through a short course while attempting to drift all corners. Regular
Drift Session events are used primarily to introduce beginners to the sport and
to learn basic drifting skills. It is only through the introduction of new
drivers to the sport that drifting will ever take root in America and cause the
need for aftermarket and corporate support based on basic supply and demand.
2.
Drift Session 2 events. The Drift Session 2 event is a lapping event
which uses a continuous run format. Drivers are allowed to perform high speed
laps around a racetrack while drifting all corners and even straightaways. It is
at Drift Session 2 events that our drivers have become some of the best in the
country. Without the increased pressure and higher speeds seen at Drift Session
2 events, amateur drivers in America will never be able to make the successful
transition to the professional or performance level.
3.
Drift Session special events. Typically held every 3 – 4 months, Drift
Session special events are specially titled and attract crowds in the thousands.
These large scale events feature drifting as well as other forms of automotive
exhibition and demonstration including drag racing, road racing, burnouts and
donuts. Special events also include vendor midways with music, entertainment,
food & drinks, interactive displays, and car shows. In 2003, Drift Session
special events have consistently brought in the largest crowds that Hawaii
Raceway Park has seen in recent years. Through the guidance and development of
drivers at the Drift Session’s various events, our large crowd pleasing
drifting spectacles run smoothly, provide entertainment and excitement, and give
sponsoring companies the springboard they desire to gain a foothold in this
exciting industry.
Drift Session Firsts
1.
First use of a D1 Grand Prix (Japan professional drift circuit) car in
America.
2.
First ever Japanese car and driver demonstration in America.
3.
First ever head to head drift competition in America.
4.
First ever competition with a Japanese car and driver in America
5.
First regularly scheduled drifting series in America.
6.
First competitive drifting series in America.
7.
First sanctioning body for drifting in America.
8.
First spectator choice motorsports competition in America.
Drift Session Media Coverage
Drift Tengoku Magazine
(Japan), October 2003
Import Racer Magazine,
September 2003
Battle Magazine (Japan),
December 2002
Import Tuner Magazine,
December 2002
Car & Driver Magazine,
August 2002
Option 2 Magazine (Japan),
November 2002
Sport Compact Car Magazine,
July 2002
360 Video, Volumes 6 & 7
(“X” to be released 2004)
Grip Video, Volumes 1 & 2
(Vol. 5 to be released 2004)
Speedhawaii Video, Volume 1
808 Speed
Video, Volume 3
The Honolulu
Advertiser, July 2001 “Left Lane”; January 10, 2002 “In the Mix”;
February 14, 2003 “Outside.”
The Honolulu
Star-Bulletin, March 10, 2002 “Front Page”
Punishum
Motorsports TV, 2002 Season
New Zealand
Travel Channel (New Zealand), August 2002
Channel 2
News, July 11, 2001 Ramsey Wharton
Channel 9
News, September 2001 Julia Norton-Dennis; April 23, 2003 Kim Genaulla
Channel 4
News, August 2001 Tasha Kobashigawa
And the
Following Websites: 50-racing.com, 808rides.com, 808speed.com, apartment107.com,
aznlyfe.com, butigroove.com, club4ag.com, dohcresearch.com, drifting.com,
driftsession.com, eight08.net, gripvideo.com, hs3.net, nucleartiger.com,
signalauto.com, speedhawaii.com, urbanracer.com, and teamrice.org.
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