Drifting is definitely moving towards mainstream in ASEAN. A total of 7 countries took part. Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, New Zealand, USA & Ryuki Miki, Formula Drift Singapore Champion from Japan. Drifting in S.E.A. has now expanded from D1 Grand Prix Malaysia Series back in 2006 and last Sunday, 27th April 2008 we had the inaugural Formula Drift in Singapore.
A total of 38 drifters took part, 3 of them being Formula DRIFT drivers participating in the American series. All 35 drivers had to battle it out in the regional event before the Formula DRIFT drivers were slotted in at the Top 4 International round. Congratulations to all Bridgestone Drift Team members for making Top 4 Regional. It was great exposure for the team. This, being the first proper international competition for Ivan & Tat Wei. I can just imagine the pressure to perform as we are the no.1 team in S.E.A.
The course didn’t suit our cars at all to begin with. We spent friday testing without NOS. All of our cars didn’t have enough power to drift the course. It was a combination of high grip surface and a long sweeping first corner that made it difficult to maintain the speed and keep drifting. Only when NOS was enabled, we could get enough speed into the first corner and enough power to maintain the drift at full throttle throughout the whole course. This caused some concerns, as we were not sure if we had enough fresh NOS to last us the weekend. NOS is illegal in Singapore which made it impossible to fill. We kept the usage of NOS in check, and concentrated on driving, making sure we could produce the impact both judges & spectators were looking for.
Qualifying: It has happened to me twice now. Spinning out on the first qualifying run. I cut the line really thin on the entry to the first corner. The rear bumper, just scrubbing against the tire barrier, pushing the car on a wide line towards the wall. The judges were on their feet as it was to be a good run, but i got on the gas a fraction too early which caused the car to lose its balance and forced me into a semi spin. What a waste as it could have been a perfect run. Instead, I had to be conservative on the 2nd run to make sure I qualify for the main event! The 85hp shot of NOS is definitely making the car difficult to drive. Throttle response is quick and modulation is difficult. You really have to be on the ball to maximize its potential.
Main Event: They anounced the Top 16 drivers during driver briefing. Tat Wei qualified 3rd, I qualified 4th and Ivan 7th. Great achievement by Bridgestone Drift Team. Now let the battles begin!
SWEET 16: All 3 drivers made it to through to GREAT 8. I had a slight mishap on my first run. Ran slightly too deep into the first corner and the rear end kissed the tire barrier big time! It caused me to swerve but i managed to keep it together, just tapping the wall before accelerating away into the first inner clip. Close call and nothing short of spectacular 
GREAT 8: Again, a dramatic 2nd round! I ended up running against Ser Ming Hui of Team Goodyear Racing. The advantage went to me on the first run when I was the leading car. But on the 2nd run, Ming Hui ran wide, leaving me enough room to take the inner line which i did. But as I approached the 2nd inner clip, he nudged me into a spin! Dude! wake up! this is drift, not banger car racing! I don’t understand what he was trying to achieve here. It was obvious I had the advantage since he ran wide at the first corner, and nudging me would just reduce his points further! Well, he really acted like a hooligan all weekend and got himself banned for both Sat & Sun practice sessions. The word “Discipline” definitely not in his vocabulary. “Ah Fai” not so “Fai” after all.
TOP 4: Here we are. The Final 4 regional drifters, going against the FD drivers. Mad Mike, Me, Tat Wei & Ivan made it to the final 4. The 3 FD drivers were slotted in and the highest qualifier from the losers pool was brought in to make TOP 8 INTERNATIONAL. Both Ivan & Tat Wei were eliminated on their first match, Mad Mike lost to Miki & I made it to the finals.
FINALE: Ryuji Miki. I still remember watching Video Option back in 2004 when he became Champion driving the Top Secret S15. It was definitely a tough fight for me. I drove the nuts out of the 86, but couldn’t hold my composure exiting the last corner, forcing me to run wide and into the finish board. Damn! It could have been a “One More Time!” Miki did say that I was a tough opponent and if it wasn’t for the mistake, anyone could have won FD Singapore.
Short clip of the final run with Ryuji Miki.
Next year Miki-san. I’ll be ready for the rematch.
Official Press Release & Results: http://www.formuladrift.com.sg/events.htm
Pictures taken from: www.zerotohundred.com
