Finalists for the August 31st D1 Grand PrixKen Gushi (Gushi Auto)Nissan S13
Ernie FixmerNissan S13
Daijiro Yoshihara (Pacific Rim)S13
Calvin WanMazda RX7
Hubert WongNissan R32
Bryan Norris (JIC)Nissan S13
Rich Rutherford (Skip Barber Racing)Nissan 350Z
Samuel HubinetteNissan 350Z
Lucky Seven:Some Quick Questions For The D1 ProsTranslator: Haru "Ishimapleezy" IshimaruWhat have you heard about Drifting in the U.S.?Kazuhiro Tanaka (KT): I've heard there are some really good drivers out here.
Yoshinori Koguchi (YK): I've been out here for a drift exhibition just this year so I've witnessed the driving capabilities. It's at an amateur rank right now but I expect to see a big difference from then and now.
Ken Nomura (KN): I'm from a small country in Japan so I don't hear much but I look forward to seeing how it is out here. (The group laughs cause they know how much Nomura can goof around.)
Yoichi Imamura (IMA): With A'PEXi having an office in the U.S. I hear from them that drifting is getting very big but this is my first time here. I'm anxious to meet some of the good drivers.
Takahiro Ueno (TU): I have very high intension about how drifting will bet big in the U.S.
Nobushige Komakubo (NK): I haven't heard any news about how drifting is in the States but I honestly feel like U.S. will catch on quickly. Many do not know this but many U.S. soldiers in Japan are into drifting and they are at a very high level. I have a military friend, Charlie, who is a good drifter.
Yuki Izumida (YI): I feel the same as everyone else. It's new here so my word of advice is to start at one corner and keep practicing at faster speeds.
What was the first car you started in?KT: 1983 Toyota CorollaYK: 1980 Nissan Stanza. It was a company car.KN: 1983 Toyota CorollaIMA: Nissan SilviaTU: Nissan R32 SkylineNK: 1983 Toyota CorollaYI: 1974 Nissan S30 Z
What do you think of some of the drivers showing up being rally drivers?YK: I welcome them. I started out in rally too.IMA: It will be fun to battle on the same field.All the other drivers agree that they are welcome to compete.What was the worst crash or how many?KT: Wow! Too many to count.YK: Mine was a time attack crash in a 180SXKN: I can't recall a specific one but I've only had about five accidents.IMA: None yet.TU: One car last year. It was a Toyota Vitz.NK: Zero. I've never hit anything. IMA: You just replace them fast enough so nobody can see the damage!YI: I don't know where to start but I would have to say at over 50 accidents.