EVENT >> PGP WARS: EPISODE ONE
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… The "eh" team would win the first PGP Wars triple tandem competition with light speed entries and a few epic dirt drops. This story begins in Vancouver, British Columbia, where I have been living for the past month as a temporary Canadian. CJ Kofoed, also know as simply "CJ" or "CJ of the Mattely Crue", invited me down to PGP Motorsports Park in Kent, Washington for a triple tandem drift comp. CJ, also a temporary Canadian, is studying at UBC and was going to be judging the competition. I had been itching to shoot some grassroots drifting – ever since the Keep Drifting Fun van took a dump on Hobo and I at the end of July…
If you look closely at the first image in this post, you'll see the three judges (CJ Kofoed, Jesse Kincy, and Ash OConnell) "pumping up" the drivers from the infield of the first turn at PGP's kart track. It worked. Drivers would fist pump back at them and shake their fists in frustration if they pushed it a little bit too far and spun. Everyone is on the same level. Everyone is excited about driving and stoked for each other.
Team "eh" lines up on the track, while some spectators and friends watch from the pits. The casual atmosphere, cool weather, and fun crowd made for a nice sunday at the track.
Rob Primo organized the event with PGP, here he conducts the driver's meeting. There are a handful of drivers across the US who handle the relationship between drifters and tracks. These people deserve more credit than they receive. Drifting is unlike other motorsports, it takes leadership to keep a grassroots event series going with a track. People like Nick Dizon from Vegas Drift, Matt Petty from Club Loose, Charlie Ongsingco from Just Drift, and others like Rob Primo have built relationships with track owners that allow drift events to happen.
Kohei Nakamura, who earned third place at Evergreen PRO – AM Round three chats with Shawn Browne, left, and Logan Noel, right, of Drift Union. Shawn and Logan were 2/3rds of Team 'eh".
Cake Face Clothing had a booth, next to a car show that had everything from an FB RX-7, s13/s14s, FD RX-7, Dodge Viper, and a PacNorthWest favorite – stanced subies.
Didn't get to meet the owner of this BMW, but I was surprised when I glanced under the hood.
Nissan CA18DET. Which shares several design features (cast iron block, valve cover design, and lifters – depending on year) with it's inline 6 brother the RB.
Judging for the competition was based on the first 2 turns of the PGP kart track. The first was after a decent straight away. The surface of the track didn't seem to eat tires the way Evergreen speedway does and because of its tight corners – is low gear and snaking.
Compared to other areas of the country, the Pacific northwest is unique in style and tuning. From the easter egg fluorescent colors of Team Instant Party to the RB powered machines of UP Garage. A great blend of style and performance. Plus an influx of street legal JDM cars imported to BC helps make your skyline and RHD fantasies a reality.
Logan of Team "eh" dirt drops with his Subaru Legacy. Then in the cloud of dirt comes Shawn in his Mazda FC. This was all day. Logan constantly dropped one wheel and un-leashed a torrent of dirt into turn 1.
"Yo Bro, your intake is showing"
Love this lineup. So much steez. Meanwhile in the background an s15 gets busy and adds to the smokey battlefield.
Powering out of turn 3 and down the straight.
As the sunset, corded tires made for some nice illumination. This s13 looks like its on fire.
Seriously bro, I got this… good choice on the reflective vinyl.
Congratulations to Team "eh", Team Edward, and Team Instant Party on 1st/2nd/3rd respectively at PGP Wars Episode One. Thanks to everyone who showed me a good time! Got some solid video for Keep Drifting Fun and even more excited about the northwest grassroots scene.
- Will Roegge
