Drift day in a Mazda Protege

Granted, a heavily modified one at that!

So I'm a very "luck favors the prepared" kind of guy, but should I not be prepared, that also means that I'm left open for luck to sucker punch me in the groin.

I get a text Friday evening that says "Hey dude, what ya doing tomorrow".

"Not much, just relaxing" I reply.

"Actually, we're having a private event day and we need a chase car, how's the Pro running."

Hows it running? On decade old all season tires I paid 15 bucks a piece for. And it could use an oil change. And I suppose my plugs are pretty fouled if I'm being honest with myself. And I don't have a helmet. GoPro? Check.

Obviously I told him what any self respecting GRM'er would. "What time can I be there".

I get there around noon, it's a moist day, they had just started lapping. The event coordinator walks up and tells me he's glad I could come, do a few practice laps to feel things out then start chasing.

I did one, yes one, practice lap. Most of it at a low angle slip. I pull back into the pits, lower my tire pressures, lose a few lbs of boost in hopes that I could keep traction, and set out.

Cliff notes: I'm the chase car in some drift vids.

http://youtu.be/rbAHauR3SUA

http://youtu.be/-8HZYVlEWcA

http://youtu.be/kVIo1rPbH9c

There are quite a few more on my YouTube channel. Videos of the whole season can be found by searching Loki Motorsports or going to Lokimotorsports (dot) org. Pics of the event are here: http://bacdesigns.biz/dsesh/images/Invite_PARC/.

It was so odd being chase car for these guys. If you run a race line, you catch about 2/3s of them, so it's very hard to keep up your momentum. After a close call or two, I figured out to let them gain some distance on me because they'll slow WAAAAY down at the next corner and me into them! The cars that were the easiest to follow were the ones going fastest, I stayed in boost in 2nd gear the whole track and could focus solely on where the camera was pointed. All in all, tons of fun and a very unique learning experience for me!

I even got a media shot!

My S13 was used as a drift car. Glad I only paid $100 for it. I'm turning it into a BBQ grill.

How is the camera attached to the car?

Just a suction mount on different places. It worked great.

So you're saying drifting isn't that fastest way around the track? Shocking.

Dang, I wish either of my FCs looked this good. At least they both have hoods!

That's a good friend of mine who is actually here right now, he says thanks

Here's another shot of him, me in hot pursuit

Eh, I got no problem with the drifters. Especially when they do it on a closed course like this one, instead of hooning on the street. I'm sticking with Pat Bedard's comment 30yrs ago..(he wrote it about Hollywood stunt drivers at the time) "The Harlem Globetrotters never won an NBA Championship, but you don't hear anybody saying they can't play basketball.."

Drifting's not for me, but as long as folks have tire money..y'all go have some fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BBTthCY-Q8

friedgreencorrado wrote: Eh, I got no problem with the drifters. Especially when they do it on a closed course like this one, instead of hooning on the street. I'm sticking with Pat Bedard's comment 30yrs ago..(he wrote it about Hollywood stunt drivers at the time) "The Harlem Globetrotters never won an NBA Championship, but you don't hear anybody saying they can't play basketball.." Drifting's not for me, but as long as folks have tire money..y'all go have some fun. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BBTthCY-Q8

I agree wholeheartedly. Not my cup of tea, but I'll be happy to help if I can.

NOICE! very nice videos to watch and the pics turned out great. That FC is beautiful, it's a shame most kids that are my age don't do them nice like this, they just hellaflush em yo. That R32 though..... CRISIS!!!!

poopshovel, LMAO

Videos would have been better if they included a PIT maneuver. (I joke, I keeeed.)

Looks like too much fun. I wish I had an opportunity to drift at a local venue (legally). Just the excuse I need to use up my R1Rs and switch to r-comps.

If you were in Oregon, I'm sure I could get you on the track for at least a lap

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but someone finally cut those chase cam videos into something!

http://vimeo.com/33841573