I just got back from Formula Drift 2008 at Englishtown.
Geez, it was such a hot event !!! It was almost hard
to stay in conscious while waiting at the start line....
Finally the time has come for both me and Taka to test
out our new motor !
The practice on Thursday didn't go too well for both of
us since we both had some minor problems which
prevented us from getting many practice runs. So, we
just got the 'feel' of how the course was laid out and we
just had to 'image train' ourselves for Fridays practice
and qualifying rounds.
During the practice on Friday, I had a little problem
adjusting my initiation point and kept going too fast
off the pavement into the grass dirt. I was mad because
I spend a good time cleaning the car right before the
practice..... but as I got more runs in and as I got more
used to this new monster engine power, my runs got
better and better ! The Falken/Discount Tire IS350 with
the new Hasselgren custom V-8 is nothing but plain
crazy power. We haven't put it on the chasis dyno but
I wouldn't be surprised if it was close to 800 hp !!
It spins the new 315/30/18 Falken Azenis RT615 no
problem with incredible amount of smoke !!!
Then it was time for Friday's single run qualifying.
On my 1st judged run, as I accelerated hard on the
straight away.... 1st gear..... 2nd gear...... 3rd...... gari gari ?!?!
I blew the 3rd gear and shooted off course.
Since there was not enough time to swap out the tranny
between runs, I had to drive with only 1st, 2nd, and 4th gear.
For my 2nd run, I went smooth and easy in 1st and 2nd gear
to get in as much speed as I can then hard shift into 4th and
kicked the clutch........ . . . . . and made a decent run.
And I qualified 9th. What a relief !
Unfortunately, I had to miss out on the evening practice
session because my car had to get a tranny swap to get
ready for Saturday's rounds.
The IS350 was ready to rock by Saturday morning and
after a short practice, it was time for another single run
qualifying to make the Top 16 positions.
By this time, I had finally figured out the course and knew
exactly what I had to do to get the high points from the judges
thanks to precise advise given by Yoshie, our trusty spotter!!
My first run was alright, but the speed was not up to par,
and I was not close enough to the first outside clipping
point. I knew this run was not good enough. So, for the second
run, I just went for more attack and held the aggresive high line.
And I got it on the perfect line on the entry and kept good angle
and lots of smoke until the transition right before the finish.
BUT, right at the transition, my throttle pedal got slightly stuck
and I spun out as I lost the precise throttle control...............
I was sooooooooooooooo mad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I went to talk to the judges later and they told me I would've
qualified in the top 3 position if I had not spun.
This is all part of the sport. One mistake and you are done.
I am still angry as I am writing this, but all I can say is that
the Falken/Discount Tire IS350 feels great and I cannot wait
for the next Formula Drift in Las Vegas !!!!! Revenge !!!
hiro
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