Dai Yoshihara
Daijiro Yoshihara is one lucky SOB. After trashing his ride at the last meeting, it looked as if this diary entry would be about how he spent the entire weekend watching TV and eating nachos. But Team Falken Tire had other plans and another driver was rescued from premature obesity.
After the terrible crash in Round 5, I thought my season was over. But Team Falken Tire decided to build another car for me.
With only two weeks between Rounds 5 and 6, we had just nine days to build the car. We decided to use one from the previous season: Ross Petty's old Nissan S13 240SX. Since the car had no engine and we didn't have any SR motors available, we decided to put a V-8 in it. We had to rebuild everything except the roll cage and fuel lines. It was a lot of work in the time we had and I tried to help as much as I could. Fortunately, we finished at 4 a.m. on the day we had to trailer the car up to Sonoma and qualify.
In the practice session, the S13 ran well fresh out of the box. We made just a few minor adjustments and went to the qualifying round. I tried my best and was able to place Ninth. I was amazed. In the Top 32 round, I went against Eric O'Sullivan. He's a fine driver, scoring Second in Seattle. I led the first run and he spun out before completing the first clipping point. I had solid runs, both leading and following, which allowed me to move on to the next round. OMG, finally! It was my first time in the Top 16 this year. I was so happy.
I went against Ken Gushi. He led first and I stayed close, but he was so fast after the first clipping point and I couldn't keep up. I thought he had the advantage, so I decided to push harder when I led. I tried to make more angle, but unfortunately it failed and I made a half-spin. Ken moved on. After he beat me, I was cheering for Ken and he was driving great, reaching the final. That made me feel better. I think he could have won if his car hadn't broken down.
I really wanted to go further. It could have been better, but I was happy to be there as a competitor again. My mechanics, Scott and Steve, did great a job. The S13 was built very efficiently, so it didn't have any problems the whole weekend. I really, really appreciate all of their hard work.
I want to thank my team, Falken Tire and Discount Tire and all the sponsors, everyone who helped to get the new Discount Tire S13 ready. Without their help, I wouldn't have been able to drive in Sonoma. I realize again that I'm surrounded by splendid people and I'm super lucky.
Discount tire
www.discounttire.com
Falken Tire
www.falkentire.com
KW Suspension
www.kw-suspension.com
Rhys Millen
Millen takes it to the next level. New Zealand's finest export since "Flight of the Conchords" and a perky Sauvignon Blanc, Rhys has finally said: "It's business time." But let's allow him to tell you in his own inimitable way.
For a track I really don't care for, I have to say it was a pretty good weekend for the team and the Genesis coupe. The car felt fast, predictable and competitive from the very first practice run. Qualifying placed us Fourth-a result we were very happy with. Once again, the car never skipped a beat and was recording some of the highest entry speeds of the weekend at 93 mph.
Race day would see the Genesis coupe progress past the rounds of 32 and 16, meeting my buddy Tanner Foust in the Great 8 in his . . . whatever that thing is. I placed a respectable Sixth for the weekend. It's great to roll the Genesis coupe out on track and watch heads turn-this car really is bad-ass. Just wait until you see what Team RMR has in store for SEMA this year. You're gonna throw out your "oh face". Oh, yeah!
Red Bull
www.redbullusa.com
Hyundai
www.hyundaiusa.com
Rhys Millen
www.rhysmillen.com
Tanner Foust
A team barbecue seems to have lit a fire under Tanner Foust. He attacked Infineon Raceway as if he wanted to impress the IndyCar team managers. Or maybe Helio has got him a gig on "Dancing With The Stars." Either way, the protein will do him good.
While Sonoma's drift track is not that interesting (in my opinion), it certainly hosted a fascinating event. Indy cars on track, drift cars working a demo on the epic Infineon Raceway, protests and recalls, the top points guys failing to qualify, finish a lap or even start their cars . . . awesome.
To liven up the weekend further, Mr. Papadakis rented a bitchin' house in the hills for the team: hot tub, pool and all. We were lounging in hammocks and grilling afternoon steaks like it was friggin' Club Med. Thankfully, the guys are pros and when the flip-flops hit the track, we were ready for work.
At this point in the season, there's no room for tentative tandem runs. I attacked every car in front of me as if the driver had just bitch-slapped my sister. When leading, I put the hammer down as far as it would go, clocking the three fastest runs of the day. We were out for blood!
Ken Gushi, in his Scion, was in the same mode, so it was unfortunate that after two days of battling we came together in the semi-finals. Following him, I attacked hard-too hard, and put a tire in the dirt. It cost me a car length, but I was still sticking with him. On the lead lap, I waited a few hundred feet before opening up the TRD NASCAR V-8, as agreed, so Ken could stay with me down the straight. I threw my worst, but couldn't shake the lighter RS-R Scion. Ken fought hard enough to blow his engine's head gasket on the last turn, but he still took the victory.
In the consolation round with Ryuji Miki, we battled three times. Each time there was contact, evidence that we were both hungry for the last podium spot. On the last following run, he slowed slightly and I made contact with his rear bumper. Knowing the pattern, I stayed in the throttle, which must have startled Ryuji. He lifted off the gas and we came to a stop. I took Fourth without complaint and I'm proud of the team for finding two more design improvements for the next event. With a chance to still snag a podium championship spot, the Rockstar/Scion Drift Team will be more prepared for Irwindale than ever.
Hankook Tire
www.hankooktireusa.com
Scion Racing
www.scionracing.com
Rockstar
www.rockstar69.com
By Carter Jung
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