Event>> Fdnj: Scenes From The Grid

Most fans and spectators at drift events don’t get to see the behind the scenes drama unfolding in the pits, or in the grid area, so being the thoughtful person I am, I thought I’d show you some images from the starting grid at Formula D New Jersey.

Above, Chuck and Keith from Apex Integration are serving as trackside support for Ryuji Miki and the Apex’i FD3S he’s driving in competition. Being lightweight and nimble, Keith was able to just jump into the back of the car to help Chuck fill the car up with fuel. It was so hot at New Jersey, it’s a good thing the gas container didn’t just explode or something.

These guys had a pretty rough weekend – their FD3S actually went through 3 transmissions over the course of the event! Mazda transmissions on the FCs and FDs seem to be a rather weak link when it comes to high performance use, as I always hear of Formula D competitors having transmission problems on their RX7s. At Formula D Long Beach, Kyle Mohan lost one of the gears in his transmission, which affected his ability to drive at the limit during the tandem battles… and later that week, Calvin Wan’s FD3S had a transmission failure at the Formula D Team Drift event at Long Beach. The only reason Calvin was even able to continue in the Team Drift event, is because he was able to get a transmission from Bergenholtz Racing and swap it out at the Apex’i garage the night before the main event.

I guess what goes around comes around, because Masaki Nakamura from Apex’i told me that when the Apex’i FD’s transmission broke down in New Jersey, they desperately needed to get another transmission in the car before the tsuisou/tandem battles started so Ryuji Miki could compete. Luckily for the Apex’i team, they were able to get that transmission from Calvin Wan! I think it’s great to hear stories of teams helping each other – even though everyone is on different teams and has different sponsors, core friends in the drifting community stick together; regardless if they’re with Nitto, Falken, Bridgestone, or whoever. I love the fact that camaraderie like that still exists in the Formula D Series.

The Apex’i team might have had a rough weekend due to the back-to-back transmission failures, but it didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, at the podium ceremony, Keith from Apex’i was awarded the “UTI Best Technician Award” from Universal Technical Institute, a Formula D sponsor that trains people to be mechanics. Maybe UTI should use actual “racetrack grid photos” for their magazine advertisements, like these ones you see here, instead of the current ads you see with a bunch of guys standing around a moderately fixed up street car. That would certainly incent me to want to join their program, rather than an image of random mechanic trainees standing around a car.

Apex’i/Nitto’s umbrella girl Carolyn was braving the trackside heat, working hard to keep Ryuji Miki cool inside his car. Maybe Apex’i should just add some PowerAC to the car, instead of just sticking to their PowerFC computer. I think Miki might appreciate that a bit more. Sheesh, if I was a Formula D driver, I’d try to get sponsored by an air conditioning company and have my team put air conditioned Recaros up in my car! Something like the AC seats on a Lexus 460L. That’s what I’m talking bout!

BTW, look at the negative camber on Miki’s FD, which looks very nice with the Vertex Ridge aero kit. Nice! =)

Rhys Millen is 100% professionalism, and 100% focus. And he has a cool helmet, and he just got engaged. Congratulations Rhys and Pressley!

Edo Ichikawa from Team Falken guards Calvin Wan’s CE28 wheels during qualifying, while using his standard tools of the trade – a Belle 1 radio and a pack of cigarettes. Smoking stunts your growth? I don’t know, but look at how big the wheels look compared to our boy Edo. You figure it out. Haha!

The Super Autobacs/Koyo Radiator R34 driven by Michihiro Takatori was also having transmission issues at New Jersey. They blew their RB transmission, and had to search far and wide just to get one in the east coast! And a clutch that fits! Just a reminder, that we’re kind of lucky when we have events in California, because there are many local shops who have these type of JDM parts in stock.

BTW, check out the front negative camber on Takatori’s R34, while the rear wheels remain kind of normal looking. The front wheels look as if the track has been widened as well, giving the car better steering ability. I love it when R34 Skylines have stance that looks similar to an AE86! Yessssss!!! (Well, it looks like my AE86 anyway, but my tires are stretched more.)

Henry Chung has been contracted by Formula D to run their official trackside tech inspection booth, but he is actually an extremely experienced and capable car builder. Before accepting the position with Formula D, he went to all the FD events campaigning cars from his shop, Motorsport Dynamics, which has recently been re-named as MD+R. MDR sponsors Calvin Wan’s FD3S RX7 – Henry is an absolute genius when it comes to chassis preparation, roll cages, and engine/ecu tuning. Henry is shown here with Kevin Wells, the crew chief for Chris Forsberg’s Z33 350Z.

Ryan Tuerck from DA is certainly making a name for himself in the Formula D Series! I remember when he was still an unsponsored privateer competing in the Drift Showoff series in DC.

Here’s the DA leader, JR, at the grid, showing us he’s always confident and ready to rock.

Uhmm… I’m sure you are a pretty strong guy, but maybe you might want to use a tow vehicle, buddy. And maybe ask your friend to put down his BMX bike and help you out?

-Antonio Alvendia

Formula D New Jersey Competition

Formula D New Jersey Overview

Formula D New Jersey Practice Event

Englishtown Raceway Park

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1

It's always cool to see stuff from behind the scenes. Antonio, you seem to always get the coolest shots. That last one with the dude pullin' the S13 looks like an impromptu strongman competition. First one to the cone wins!!

2

These are some really cool shots. You have caught some awesome moments. I really like the shot of JR.

3

The dude on the bike in the last photo is actually Brian Wilkerson from MA Motorsports. He is the driver of the car being pulled by that other guy. Remember his name and the car cause he is gonna be big soon!

4

Thanks for the compliments Dereck and Cole Trickle!



LuckysSlide: okay cool! I'll remember the name, I'll have to work on remembering his face next time I see him though. So is Brian JR's partner at MA or something?

5

Im not sure if they partners but they are friends, and Brian is one of the owners of MA Motorsports. I first saw him drive a year or two ago at the local monthly E-Town drifting events they have. Super cool dude. He was one of only one or two guys to actually get their D1 license last year when D1 made a exhibition stop at E-Town and was officially added to the DA team this year as well.

6

awesome! nice to see the newer DA guys reppin hard on the east coast!

7

Good coverage as always

8

....as you said Antonio, awesome cameraderie !

9

Brian Wilkerson? On a BMX bike? I remember back in the day when Brian Blyther and Ron Wilkerson were both competing for Haro. No - wait. I must be in the wrong place... Again.

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