Drift Tengoku — October 2003
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About this issue
English draft translations are available throughout this issue. Unclear or unreadable OCR remains flagged; these drafts have not received full image proofreading. The archive retains 310 scan files, including two duplicate captures, representing 308 unique pages.
Page 167 · English draft
Draft translation. Unclear OCR remains flagged; full image proofreading has not been performed.
- …that is how it was. Perhaps because it was a contest, the field included seemingly skilled drivers in fully repainted S14s, 180SXs and Skylines with full aero kits, and over 50 spectators. Excitement filled the venue. Then, with most participants gathered and the scheduled 11 o’clock start approaching, a patrol car suddenly appeared! Kobayashi said it was a secret mountain pass far from the main road, with no homes nearby and no previous patrol-car visits. Everyone was bewildered. They temporarily dispersed to assess the situation. Apparently someone reported the unusually large movement of drift cars. Police grew alert and even began checkpoints, so the organizers reluctantly cancelled the contest. Watching entrants shelter at a nearby parking area, their excitement seemed hard to cool; they looked ready to drive again as soon as the police left…
- Please hold it again!
- …that was the atmosphere. Kanabun Kobayashi was dejected, saying he felt sorry for everyone about the cancellation. Meanwhile [sentence transition damaged], the visitors enjoyed talking with friends and meeting other teams. The main topic seemed to be the highly positive suggestion, “Let us hold a street drift contest ourselves!”
- Although the contest failed this time, in the sense that everyone pledged to invigorate southern Kyushu, it was a success!
- …was. [Sentence fragment.]
- Those who came were talking with friends…
- Right now, it is fantastic…
- The organizers promptly informed everyone they could reach that the contest was cancelled. Since they planned to reschedule, entrants readily agreed. With an impromptu event, such unexpected incidents cannot be helped.
- Mlhe
- Zoom in on the person who came the farthest!
- The farthest traveler was Natsuda from Kadogawa, Miyazaki. “It took five hours, all on ordinary roads,” says this dedicated driver. Sekia Hills, which he visits about once every two months, takes four hours. “Things are just as lively where we live, but perhaps because this was a contest, the level looked high. It was cancelled, but it was lively and fun, so if they hold it again, I will definitely come!”
- Eiichi Natsuda [given-name reading provisional]. Silvia (PS13). Member of Doraku Ikka.
- Age 26
- PICKUP
- Participant!
- It has been a long time since a mountain pass was this lively! Judge Masao Suenaga speaks!
- [Unclear: fragmented label.]
- [Unclear: fragmented label.]
- “I have not seen this much excitement at a mountain pass for a long time. I wondered how good the local drivers’ drifting was, but even more than that I was impressed by their passion. With that much energy, I hope they will not be satisfied with mountain passes and will visit circuits more. A circuit is the best place to improve your technique!” [Several words in the OCR are damaged.]
- PICKUP
- Hiroki Nakano, 22. Silvia (S14)
- “It was cancelled, but there were more cars than last time and the level looked higher, so I was really enjoying it and getting excited,” says Nakano. Unlike at a circuit, familiarity from regular driving here lets him compete well. “Our team is thinking of running a drift contest too. We have somewhere we can drive in daylight, so we want mainly team competition, judging momentum more than technique, and have a great time!” The event clearly influenced him. Street drift contests look set to become popular in Kagoshima and Miyazaki!
- [Unclear: fragmented label.]
- Participant!
- [Unclear: fragmented label.]
- H
- 163
- Zoom in on the first event’s winner!