One of the biggest stories so far this year in Formula Drift has been the arrival of Japanese drift ace Daigo Saito. Because this is Daigo’s first season in Formula Drift he is considered a rookie in the yearly standings, going up against the grassroots drivers fighting for the important Rookie of the Year title.
On one hand he is a newcomer to the courses and judging style of Formula Drift, but at the same time he’s already a well-established driver and a powerhouse in the world drift scene – having already claimed championships in both D1GP and the Asian FD series.
With round three of Formula Drift kicking off down in Florida today, we wanted to ask the Speedhunters readers whether they think Daigo Saito should be considered a Formula Drift rookie or not.
Feel free to voice your opinions in the comments as well.
-Mike Garrett
[polldaddy poll="6277193"]
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rookie on FD USA but great drifter in the world...
Newcomer? 3 weeks ago i saw him drive a 1200bhp car in the rain with a counterclockwise like odaiba circut ,driving like it is easy while having Manibu Orido for lunch in the touge. HES GONNA KILL U ALL.....
Rookie in FD USA, but an established Drifter in the global scope of the sport
Just like Yu Darvish is a rookie in MLB, but definitely not a rookie in the global scope of MLB
*edit: global scope of baseball
he's not a rookie for sure. but anyway, what does FD means by rookie? is it a written rule or just "first time join the competition is a rookie"? btw, just saw that driftmonkey sticker on his car? is he one of the monkeys?
D1 champions should be automatically established as FD Pros - if they ever visit a Formula Drift event.
It all really depends on what FD defines what being a 'rookie' is. That's all.
D1 Fanboys are voting for him to get rookie of the year right now. Entries like this is unfair to grassroots drivers. The rules need to be changed so that a pro driver from any other continent cannot win rookie of the year. You don't get more pro than Daigo Saito. You don't get more pro than 1,000+ hp. I would like to hear Daigo's opinion on this, which would have a large impact on my opinion on the driver himself.
@yanes33537 Yes.
@swerv13 I'm with you on that one. I'm still trying to figure out if Daigo wants to be called a rookie in FD or not.
If I were him I wouldn't want to be called a "rookie"
Don't see what the debate is. plenty of other d1 drivers with years of professional experience have joined FD in the past and they were all considered rookies when they joined. Even seasoned pro athletes are considered rookies when they change organizations. And to the people defending grass roots drivers going against the better funded drivers, drifting can't stay grass roots forever. Drifting is a growing sport and the standards are being raised every year. If grass roots drivers cant keep up with the pros, that's what the pro am division is for. Grass roots hipster fanboys are honestly whats holding professional drifting back right now.
@Hanma Your argument is flawed. This is not about grassroots drivers going against better funded drivers. It is not about the funding or lack of. This is about a highly experienced professional driver being put in a class of drivers with very little experience. As far as your comment "drifting can't stay grass roots forever" Dude, I am pretty sure it has progressed from that years ago. Also, I am saying that every driver from a pro series of drifting from anywhere should not have the chance at rookie of the year, call them rookies all you want. But without the chance of winning rookie of the year. Perhaps I will settle for a middle ground saying previous champions from other series cannot win RotY.
If you are a champion in another recognized series (D1 let's say) and compete in another national series (let's say FD) then you should not be counted as a rookie.
It depends what Formula Drift mean with the word "rookie". A relatively fresh and inexperienced driver, or someone just new to FD. If the former, certainly not, if the latter, absolutely.
A rookie is defined as a novice or inexperienced person...so no I don't think daigo should be considered one!
He's not a new competitor to the formula d sanctioning body though. He won all four rounds of the fd asia series last year. I could care less about d1 because thats a completely different style of drifting compared to fd. But he dominated a formula drift series already that should count for something.
he's a RINO!
(rookie in name only)
haha!
no. he may technically be a rookie in fd america, but all of the other rookies competing for the title this is there first year competing at a top level in the sport. daigo has already dominated top level events all over the place.
no. he may technically be a rookie because he is new to fd america but as for being a rookie in the traditional sense he is far from it, he is not new to top level drift competitions like the other rookies are.
@swerv13 i was making two completely separate arguments there. sorry if it was unclear.
as far as the rookie argument goes, by definition daigo saito is a formula d rookie. if kobe bryant when to europe to play ball, he would be called a rookie in the european league. that's how it works, thats how it's always worked, and drifting isnt really different from any other sport/motorsport in that respect. people are starting to skew the definition of what a rookie is. here they seem to think rookie is some derogatory title representing lack of skill when all it means is new to something, and daigo saito is very very new to FD.
and as far as the grassroots argument goes, thats just my opinion and your free to have your own. i personally think grass roots drivers should stay in pro am until they have the sponsors and skills to go to the pro division. motorsports and drifting especially require you to have a well engineered car to be competitive, yet the pro division of FD has cars from 300 hp that are still trying to rock the hellaflush thing to 1000+hp precision tools. FD organizers then try to satisfy both worlds by making more and more rules to level the field and such will be the downfall of FD. you don't see amateur grassroots drivers with shifter carts in f1 and the same should hold true for other pro divisions of motorsports.
No, because he will be the champion this year, or second place........ or third.
@Hanma Okay now you are arguing yourself in circles.
He's a rookie to Formula D and the tracks, but he's no rookie when it comes to drifting just wait until he really gets to know these tracks
Everyone else that competed on a Pro level in other countries that came to Formula Drift was classed as a Rookie, I don't see why Daigo should be treated any differently. I'm not being a dick or anything, I'm a huge Daigo fanboy, but I just don't see why he shouldn't be classed as a Rookie when all those others were when they joined Formula Drift.
Agreed 100%
@swerv13 sorry that you have poor reading comprehension.
Rookie of the Year
2006 Bill Sherman - Nissan 240SX
2007 Darren McNamara - Toyota Corolla Coupe GT/Nissan SR20
2008 Michihiro Takatori - Nissan Skyline ER34
2009 Eric O'Sullivan - Subaru Impreza WRX STI
2010 Fredric Aasbo - Toyota Supra JZA80
2011 Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis - Nissan 240SX /GM LS1
How many of these guys were top contenders before they come to FD??
This topic is fucking dumb and seems someone is buttsore about Daigo. Hes new to FD and hes stomping everyone= Rookie of the Year
Formula D just need to change their rules, and have a solid understanding on what exactly "Rookie" means.
I personally think its unfair that he's basically taking away the rookie of the year title away from someone else who deserves it. Don't get me wrong, Daigo a beast, but someone who truly is a new to the sport deserves it.
Totally agree with @swerv13
Oz V8 champion Ambrose became a rookie when he first joined NASCAR as it was a different form of racing and he had to learn how. If DS is new to the fd drift stuff, then maybe he is a rookie too. But then it's drifting, so maybe it doesn't matter either way? ...
@NeedsMoarBro exactly. as a big example, mike whiddet. seasoned nz champ and even won formula d asia events. was classified as a rookie here and noone thought twice.
@NeedsMoarBro exactly. as a big example, mike whiddet. seasoned nz champ and even won formula d asia events. was classified as a rookie here and noone thought twice.
@NeedsMoarBro exactly. as a big example, mike whiddet. seasoned nz champ and even won formula d asia events. was classified as a rookie here and noone thought twice.
@NeedsMoarBro exactly. as a big example, mike whiddet. seasoned nz champ and even won formula d asia events. was classified as a rookie here and noone thought twice.
@NeedsMoarBro exactly. as a big example, mike whiddet. seasoned nz champ and even won formula d asia events. was classified as a rookie here and noone thought twice.
noone remembers when mike whiddet came to formula d? you know the nz champ, won fd asia events, etc. nobody seemed to make a fuss when they called him a rookie.
noone remembers when mike whiddet came to formula d? you know the nz champ, won fd asia events, etc. nobody seemed to make a fuss when they called him a rookie.
noone remembers when mike whiddet came to formula d? you know the nz champ, won fd asia events, etc. nobody seemed to make a fuss when they called him a rookie.
noone remembers when mike whiddet came to formula d? you know the nz champ, won fd asia events, etc. nobody seemed to make a fuss when they called him a rookie.
noone remembers when mike whiddet came to formula d? you know the nz champ, won fd asia events, etc. nobody seemed to make a fuss when they called him a rookie.
I understand how he is a rookie, but all the others that are contenders to be rookie of the year have it a little bit more difficult now.
I understand how he is a rookie, but all the others that are contenders to be rookie of the year have it a little bit more difficult now.
I understand how he is a rookie, but all the others that are contenders to be rookie of the year have it a little bit more difficult now.
I understand how he is a rookie, but all the others that are contenders to be rookie of the year have it a little bit more difficult now.
I understand how he is a rookie, but all the others that are contenders to be rookie of the year have it a little bit more difficult now.
Rookie of the Year
2006 Bill Sherman - Nissan 240SX
2007 Darren McNamara - Toyota Corolla Coupe GT/Nissan SR20
2008 Michihiro Takatori - Nissan Skyline ER34
2009 Eric O'Sullivan - Subaru Impreza WRX STI
2010 Fredric Aasbo - Toyota Supra JZA80
2011 Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis - Nissan 240SX /GM LS1
How many of these guys were top contenders before they came to FD??
This topic is fooking dumb and seems someone is buttsore about Daigo. Hes new to FD and hes stomping everyone= Rookie of the Year
he is a rookie. he has never driven these tracks. his car is not setup for "american style drifting", and he has no experience drifting against FD drivers. he is as much of a rookie as the others. his skill in other leagues should make no difference
Formula D is not a international series. His international status should not matter. Also! remember that earning a Formula D license has as much to do with safety as driving. drivers who feel confidant they can push it will do so. Lets let Dai get comfortable, lets give Formula D fans the best competition possible.
He may be a "rookie" in Formula D... But remember... He is a D1GP champion!
I do understand where you are coming from, and I do agree, he isn't a rookie, but he is a FD rookie. And if he somehow gets kicked from the running of rookie of the year, I'll be highly upset.
Rubens Barrichello is a rookie ...
@Dekro @swerv13 You can say the same with Denofa. Hes done D1 and is by no means "new" to drifting.
Rookie of the Year
2006 Bill Sherman - Nissan 240SX
2007 Darren McNamara - Toyota Corolla Coupe GT/Nissan SR20
2008 Michihiro Takatori - Nissan Skyline ER34
2009 Eric O'Sullivan - Subaru Impreza WRX STI
2010 Fredric Aasbo - Toyota Supra JZA80
2011 Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis - Nissan 240SX /GM LS1
How many of these guys were top contenders before they come to FD??
This topic is dumb and seems someone is buttsore about Daigo. Hes new to FD and hes stomping everyone= Rookie of the Year
D1GP>Formula Drift
Formula D has different course set ups and judging criterea than other series. It's almost a different sport so yes he is a rookie.
FD should ask him. He may want to be considered a rookie. He may also not want to be considered for the title of rookie of the year so that younger guys, just beginning in the sport at a pro level have something to strive for and look forward to.
Saito a rookie!? Hells to the no! (Although I do understand the viewpoint of the Formula Drift crowd...)
hes a rookie its his first year competing in the series all there is to it
Saito is not a rookie! If your a true fan of drifting it depends on how you define the word rookie. Think of the status of another rookie DeNofa given the fact of his drifting background. I think its fair to say he is a rookie. Now think of the status of Saito......whoa right?!
Saito is not a rookie! If your a true fan of drifting it depends on how you define the word rookie. Think of the status of another rookie DeNofa given the fact of his drifting background. I think its fair to say he is a rookie. Now think of the status of Saito......whoa right?!
Why does this comment keep disappearing?
Saito a rooke? That will be a NO!
A rookie to drifting? Hell no. But to FD, technically, yes.
Rookie status isn't given out lightly. In many ways, it'd be an insult to label Daigo as a rookie. But you have to look at it from a first person standpoint; he's a driver coming into a new series, with a new set of rules, new set of regulations, with a new car, and a slew of new tracks, (save for Irwindale.)
This is the case for Rubens Barrichello. He has raced for around 20 years in Formula One, the highest form of asphalt racing in the world. Now, he's blowing into a "lower" formula series, the IndyCar series. At first, because of his experience, he was not listed as a rookie by the sanctioning ody in terms to his previous experience in Formula One. Rubens had to fight for the rookie status he has now because he doesn't know any of the courses, and all rookies are given an extra time period in practice to learn the track.While Formula D tracks don't have more than 15 corners or so, it is still a hassle to have to learn where to do what and when. Daigo has to go through that, and you may argue with me on this, but it makes sense to call him a rookie: he hasn't driven any of the course layouts except for Irwindale. Everyone's just getting cranked cause it's his first time out on these courses, and surprise surprise, he's sweating the HECK out of the American and international drivers. So in terms of skill, no, Daigo is most definitely not a rookie, but in terms of series experience pertaining to the rulesets, conduct, operations and courses, he's fresh. So I say yes, he's a rookie.
The FD courses are always changing. Rules are always changing. He is not a rookie.
Always been a fan of Saito and always will be, his cars and driving style are awesome
However when it comes to FD rookie of the year only one name comes to mind:
George mothafuckin Marstanovic, for being brand new to professional level drifting he is destroying it.
and whoever helped style his car is a damn genius (Elevens Paint & Fiber)
@swerv13 As I stated. Like I said, calling him a rookie is somewhat of an insult, cause in skill level, Daigo is no rookie. Neither is Rubens Barrichello, a person who has taken wins in places like Suzuka, Monza, and Indianapolis, but he's still a rookie to the rules and regulations of the Indy league compared to Formula One.D1 is mostly a drift what you got and how you got it series. There are no tire/weight rules, not many regulations regarding their roll cages, aero, and other appendages, they're quite lenient in comparison to Formula Drift.
But in relation to having to move to a more regulated series like Formula D, (not FD Asia) and learning new tracks (again, save for Irwindale,) Daigo is in the same spot as Barrichello; being classified as a "rookie to the series" but running into some friction due to their past experience. But the fact still stands that they're new to rules and courses, compared to even the FD Pro-Am drivers who do sometimes run the same rules and courses as the mainline series. Yes, the courses and rules change, but spending your first year in a series still counts as your first year; your rookie year. Idk, call it like you see it, again, I agree that he's not a rookie to drifting, but to the series he is.
It appears that if its a competitors first year competing in FD then you are a rookie automatically so in that respect then yes he should be a rookie like every other well established driver who goes to FD and is a rookie for their first year! The fact he is coming as an ex- champion from the most elite drift championship in the world does make it seem ridiculous to call him a rookie but you cant have one law for an ex champion of Prodrift.(D-Mac) and another for Saito!
if we go to that, Daigo is a champion, as jhonnatan castro is, as chelsea denoffa and as many other champions from all over the world... they are all FD rookies not drifting rookies
@swerv13 Remember, the poll is asking is Saito Daigo a FORMULA D" rookie. Not a drifting rookie. Everyone seems to forget that! He is a rookie to this series!!!!
Lest we forget: Michael Jordan won an Olympic gold medal just weeks after being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. This was before he played a single game for the NBA. Should they have revoked his rookie status for his first season, since he was a proven champion?
Or what about Vladislav Tretyak who was an NHL goalie and had his rookie year in 1983 with the Montreal Canadiens. Of course he'd started his professional career in 1968, and had 15 Gold medals in various world championships (including 3 Olympic games) playing for the USSR, and is widely regarded to be one of, if not the greatest goaltenders of all time, and the father of modern hockey goaltending technique. He was the reason that by 1983 every goalie alive was playing the game using his methods, and yet he was still considered a rookie when he got drafted.
This is simply how being a rookie works. Daigo Saito is experienced, yes, and a proven victor. Having said that, he is also a rookie within the Formula Drift USA organization, just like every other experienced drifter they've had before him was in their first season.
And to clarify, what I mean to say here, is nobody was arguing then, or any other time that Jordan or Tretyak should have had their rookie status removed.
That said, how in the world has this become an arguable subject all of a sudden with Daigo Saito? He is a lesser challenger than many rookies in many sports before him have been, and as skilled as he may be, he'll never be called the greatest ANYTHING of all time. He has only marginally more drifting experience than many of the other rookies he's competing against this year, let alone other rookies have had in the past such as Yoshioka, Millen, Whiddett, Nishida, McNamara, etc. He is a rookie, just as they were.
Yes, he will win rookie of the year, and potentially the FD championship. Yes, he's a fantastic drifter, and very cool under pressure, and yes, he has a car that performs at the highest level with all of the ASD rides. Despite these things, yes, he is a rookie for his first season.