Unpopular Opinion - [Expletive] Professional Drifting.

"Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)" (6speedhaven) 10/03/2013 at 15:35 • Filed to: DRIFTING

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Professional drifting is boring to me. I'd rather some street drifting, where I can get a little closer to the sideways action. I'll responsibly accept I might get skidded over in the process. I understand that it's illegal and dangerous and in case something happens to me, well, I don't intend on being that close.

It looks cooler. The cars aren't plastered up in sponsors decals and stickers. Sure, they're a little banged up (okay, maybe banged up a lot) and zip-tied are holding large pieces of the bodywork together. So why do I still like it and just completely despise professional drifting? Well, the answer to that is I like the drifters who do it as a hobby. The ones who don't do it for money or for work, but for the enjoyment of drifting. The guys who drift together to have fun, not to compete against each other and can admit who's better than them and are willing to help newcomers.

I'm also sick of the import cars having V8s dumped in them, engine swaps are absolutely disgusting to me.

edit: I know I'll get scolded in the comments section, so do feel free to scream at me or tell me how dumb I am, I'm open to discussion, despite this being an uphill battle for me.

ncasolowork2 > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 15:37

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I believe you've come to the wrong website. It is OK that you don't like professional drifting. The idea that you think illegal street racing is a good idea is moronic. While you may accept that someone might skid over you I wonder if someone innocently driving through the area accepts that they might die due to this illegal activity?

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 15:40

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What wrong with engine swaps? Unless its some pure classic worth boat loads of money. Your just making you car faster or better than it ever could have been otherwise.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 15:41

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Well you could always go to something like this:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Not only is it legal, the cars aren't plastered in stickers and you are fairly close to the action. Plus, you can participate yourself, if you feel so inclined. It is a really relaxed place to be.

I also hate V8 swaps, they are overdone and boring. People should do something unique. I am okay with an engine swap if it is A) from the same manufacturer and B) not a LS

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > ncasolowork2 10/03/2013 at 15:49

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I would only show up knowing that there will be look outs positioned in certain areas to maintained awareness of motorists who are simply using the public roadway and that they will get the right of way before continuing onward in the street drifting.

It really sounds like I'm trying to justify this all. And I am, kinda hate myself for it, but clearly not enough that I'm willing to advocate this. Also, I haven't mentioned illegal street racing in this post. Hope you edit that if you meant to say illegal street drifting!

edit: I may add some more onto this in a moment...

edit2: nope, nothing else to add without making a bunch more nonsense.

Bird > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 15:52

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Lot's of places hold drift days at tracks that are for the enthusiasts. Plenty of guys that are welcoming and there entirely for the love. The more people involved in responsible legal events, the more events there are to attend. Sounds like you're a spectator at this point. Go to a track and see what it's like. Start doing it instead of watching and your opinion might change.

I bought a cheap Miata to track, you could do the same for drifting.

Just like the bikers in NY, one groups actions can be harmful to the greater community. You're bringing down the group as a whole. Please stop that.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 10/03/2013 at 15:54

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I haven't ever seen any engine swaps that I liked or found interesting.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > YSI-what can brown do for you 10/03/2013 at 15:56

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Unfortunately I haven't seen anything like this in Houston...could be because of various reasons. I think the biggest thing that turns me off about professional drifting is that there's never been a street circuit to drift on? Street circuits in racing really turn me on.

Also, I agree with your view on engine swaps.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 16:02

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I agree.

However pro drifting brought us this:

Track drifting is safer , but it takes the fun away.

Gamecat235 > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 16:06

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If your idea of "fun" is only because whatever you are doing is illegal. Then you might want to re-prioritize your life. I'll let others do the scolding. (If I've misinterpreted your post, then please correct me).

(there are outlets for what you are looking for, and if none are local, then get to organizing them).

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder 10/03/2013 at 16:08

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Indeed, being on a track is safer.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Gamecat235 10/03/2013 at 16:12

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I've been thinking in the time since I made this post...

What if I'm just yearning for a closed street circuit for drifters?

YSI-what can brown do for you > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 16:13

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I would check around, you would be surprised what goes down in your town(especially in a place like Houston). I found out about this from a friend in my Calc class. I know some groups hold drifting competitions similar to SCCA events. You pay and drift your car.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 16:20

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I agree with everything but "on the street"

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Bird 10/03/2013 at 16:21

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I'd personally would get something different (not a miata fan).

Perhaps once I do get into some reasonable and steady money I could take up drifting to learn and see a new viewpoint.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig 10/03/2013 at 16:23

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How about closed off street circuit? Would that be something you might agree with?

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 16:25

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Honestly, drifting is one of those "way more fun to do than watch" things. And professional drifting borders between automotive figure skating and automotive ski jumping in that it's not purely quantitative, but require a lot of "must do"s.

Bird > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 16:26

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So make it happen. You could do a huge service to the community by being the organizer. Talk to people who run events in other areas. Call up any tracks you can find. Even large outdoor kart tracks. Adams Motorsports Park here in socal holds grip and drift nights at their cart track. You could also look for any abandoned areas where you might be able to get a permit to have an event. Are there any neighborhoods where they built all the streets but didn't build any houses? Think outside the box and you might come up with something.

This is where my other comment stems from. If you're supporting the illegal side, you're supporting the side the brings down public perception. That in turn can make people less willing to work with you.

Bird > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 16:33

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Don't knock the Miata as a drift platform...for reference see YourSterotypicalIndian's video! And they don't have a popularity premium on them like the 240's.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Bird 10/03/2013 at 16:42

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Great suggestions, especially that last one! With all the urban sprawl going on in Houston, I sure hope there's some abandoned neighborhood projects...

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Bird 10/03/2013 at 16:43

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I just don't like the Miata, haha. It's not for me...not for my personality at all.

Bird > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 16:50

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This is where the perception comes in. If you did find a location, with a lot of hard work, you might be able to find supporters. Even in government and private business. Then you become part of the solution.

I understand the venue thing too. It's the same is skateboarding. Cities build skateparks to try to keep the kids from street skating, but they don't want to skate in a park style environment. They want a street style environment, or a normal looking park with curbs and benches they're allowed to grind basically. It's different, and you can't truly replace one with the other.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Bird 10/03/2013 at 16:58

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I believe if I tried it's certainly possible. I've already got amazing friends and with their help I could definitely get some awesome support.

Stef Schrader > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 18:29

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Check out amateur drifting events. If you're in Houston, sometimes the Cupcake Meets do 'em. My friend brought a V8 Volvo to destroy its tires to a CCM drifting event a while back. Less commercial, but still MUCH more safe—with no unsuspecting little old ladies walking their dogs to hit along the way.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/03/2013 at 23:45

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Sure. The grassroots stuff is where it's at, but even then it's all V8 or high-power JZ/RB engines. I'd love to see a smaller, more technical layout where the NA 4banger and NA 6 cylinder cars can have fun.

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/06/2013 at 18:55

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To be frank, I have attended a few Formula D events, watched a few live feeds, and they just haven't figured out how to make it great entertainment yet for spectators. And I'm a fan. The TV aired ones are better as they edit out the delays. Formula D boasts they have been running for 10 years, but it just seems very weak for the spectators. There are lots of delays while they figure out the technical scoring. If the TV poker people hadn't figured out to peak at everyone's hand it would not be nearly as interesting for the spectator. Professional drifting needs to find an angle like that that serves the spectators. Or they need to learn how to keep the contest pace going. Or something. There is way too much down time. If you go spectate at an amateur track event you are likely to see far more drifting in the same time frame.