Originally Posted by guitarist4life/Adam from northwestnissans.com

Drifting Comes to Pacific Raceways

HOT OFF THE PRESS !

http://blog.cardomain.com/blog/drift_office/index.html




“Something good is about to happen to the drifting community.” It all started some weeks ago, when I was first told this by the owner and operator of Drift-Office. Having been to the popular establishment on many occasions prior to this, one could only wonder what Bob had in mind. Upon exchanging formalities, I was given the 411 on the project that was being finalized. In short, it goes along the lines of this : NOS Energy Drinks, Pacific Raceways and Drift-Office are going to drive Drifting to a whole new level.

The NOS Connection : Terry Vo, Regional Marketing Manager for NOS Energy Drinks is big into Drifting and had seen the need to expand on the motorsport scene here in the NW and have an additional venue to cope with the rapid growth of the genre. When the deal was inked to sponsor Pacific Raceways, the premier track of the NW, it was only logical to include drifting into the PR lineup of events!

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...ts/NOS-can.jpg


After having several discussions with Tracie Brandenburg, Marketing Manager of Pacific Raceways, together with Drift-Office, the stage was set for one of the biggest and best tracks this side of the West Coast to provide a regular monthly drifting venue for enthusiasts in the greater NW. As NWN understands it, all this would be possible based on certain contingents that are being worked out as we speak right now.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...eets/6574v.jpg



“There has to be provisions in place, since this is truly a professional track and I’m not sure if the general drifting community knows what is expected of us. PR has held highly esteemed events in the past, but to my understanding, nothing on this (drifting) scale has ever been done before, and it’s unprecedented.”

Bob continues with, “I’m hoping that we (the organizers) can make this a reality and have it on a regular basis since this would obviously be a leg-up to everyone involved in this scene.” As a veteran Formula D competitor, he continues to explain that we need to see more professional events to bring up the standards in this region so that we might one day compete with the big dogs in events such as D1 and Formula D. Thus when NOS approached Drift-Office at the onset to close the deal, the chord was struck and all three parties were working hard to make this happen.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...logo-small.jpg

A BIG thanks goes out to Terry of NOS Energy Drinks, Tracy of Pacific Raceways and Bob of Drift Office for making this event, and future ones possible.
__________________

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...racyandBob.jpg

THE LOCATION:

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...y/pacificr.jpg


We are allowed to use what is known as the "Road Course". Unlike a lot of tracks that allow drifting, this course is NOT just a few sweepers and corners.
The course is up hill and down hill. Hairpin S curves and blind corners. A VERY technical course for sure. As indicated on the map above, the course is in between the two red lines. The s curve is on an incline...so skill is needed to connect and continue your drifts. During this event, the drivers went from staging area to staging area.( Red lines on map) Once they reached the other end of the track, they got ready to turn around an to go again once the rest of the drivers showed up. Each driver had 30 seconds before the driver behind him entered the course as well.

Pic of the Northern most staging point

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...tagingarea.jpg


Starting from the northern most staging point, the drivers traverse bends and blind curves, only to reach the hairpins. Elevated hairpins. The under powered cars had trouble with this part, as once you hit the hairpins, its all up hill till the staging point.


DOWN HILL

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...ttSideways.jpg

The under powered cars now get a chance to fully attack the hairpins. Matt "Panic" attacked these corners early with such speed never before seen of Matt and his Drift Office Toyota Corolla.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...orSlidding.jpg


Victor decided to show us what hes made of..and we were NOT disappointed in the least.
Earl having some fun on the S curves

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...rlslidding.jpg