Drift Tengoku — October 2013

Thirty trophies were prepared! The event usually draws over 100 cars, but this year attendance was down a little—around 80. People joked, ‘It’s smaller this year,’ but perhaps the drift scene is not shrinking; instead, fans are spread across the growing number of big events. Even 80 cars at Nikko Circuit makes this a major gathering. The event is unapologetically over-the-top: MC Bombe Yamamoto spent all day shouting ‘Men’s!’ into the microphone, making the venue feel macho from morning on. It was 35°C, so it was literally hot too. A man in a red fundoshi was stationed at registration, and 30 trophies stamped ‘Men’s Prize’ were lined up. Participants drove flat out for a chance to win one. The fans printed with the word ‘Men’ were passed out, and everyone wandered around waving them, adding to the spectacle.

…and everyone walked around with them, making the scene visually over-the-top. Yet somehow that larger-than-life atmosphere feels wonderful. Is it because four-door cars have a tough image, or because the variety of vehicles makes the gathering lively? Setting the macho spectacle aside, even though there is a drift competition, it does not feel like an intensely serious contest. Besides the regular class-based competition, there are playful events such as ‘Men’s Smoke Boss’…

…full of fun. When we travel outside Kanto, sedan drifters often tell us, ‘I’d love to go to a meeting or the Men’s Four Tires Festival.’ Organizer Haruyama of Wonder has not competed in D1 for some time, and the shop is not especially active, yet this festival is famous nationwide. That is wonderful. It is not just about who organizes it or who attends—the participants themselves are growing the event.