Yamada: Ahh...I disagree with Ueo. When you are young you cannot afford to practice at the racetrack because it's so expensive. You have no choice but to start out racing or drifting illegally on the mountain passes or streets. For some who are fortunate enough to live near a track, they can practice there. But for most, whom live hours away from the track, they have no choice but to learn drifting at other places. When I first began I was doing a lot of illegal racing on the streets and taking my car to parking lots just to get used to the whole concept of driving. I think it's important that the drivers learn to control a car before they try anything stupid and end up crashing into a pole and dying.
2NR: Is this the first time you attended SEMA in Las Vegas?
Ueo: Yes, this is the first time and I am surprised at how big it is. Because I work in the automotive industry I like to see what new products are out because I also am a mechanic on my own car and fix other cars as well.
Yamada: This is the first time I am here. There are a lot of new and interesting products but the best product has to be the Hyper ground wires by Sun Automotive. I am sponsored by them and we are sitting in their booth right now so of course they are the best (laughing). But I have to say I don't care about any of the cars or products here at SEMA. I LOVE all the beautiful women here! Especially with the big chests (Tarzan sticks both hands 12 inches from his chest to show his preference.)! Lots of good looking women here... mucho, mucho, mucho women here.
2NR: Okay, besides women who are heavy on top, what race events have you campaigned in over the past few years?
Yamada: Well let's see. I raced in the N1 Super Taikyu series. I was three times series champion in N1. Last year I entered the Super Taikyu race in a R34 GT-R and won three times during that same year. One of the most memorable events I recall was "The Battle of Imports" in Palmdale, California, where I drag raced the 1100hp V-MAX APEX'i R33 GT-R. I was able to break the stock body GT-R record that weekend.
2NR: I recall you perched on top of the car coming back into the pits wearing a Samurai wig and jumping up and down.
Yamada: Yes. Yes. That's right. Didn't I look cool?
2NR: Oh yes! Very cool indeed!
Yamada: Well in 2004 I will be campaigning the Benihana black Dodge Viper at JGTC. We are competing in the GT500 class with high expectations of winning. We are sorting out the engine as of now and currently looking for major sponsors to take up the $150,000-plus buy in for the main sponsorship. So if anyone is interested then let me know.
2NR: Sorry Tarzan this isn't a paid advertisement. Ueo-san, the Hachiroku (AE86) is known as the poor man's car in the drifting world. Of all cars available in the Japanese market, why did you pick the Hachiroku to campaign in D1 and drifting in general?
Ueo: I picked the Hachiroku because it is an economical car and if something breaks I can easily make repairs without putting a big dent in my wallet. With the more expensive cars there's always that unknown factor of crashing the car and spending a significant sum of money making repairs. With my current career in drifting I have to be able to support my family's well being and if I use a car that far exceeds my finances, then the sport I enjoy so much will become more of a job than a passion. Like I said earlier in the interview, drifting is a part of my lifestyle.
2NR: You are infamous in the drifting community for using your Revolver/Ukes sponsored Hachiroku and beating more of the high-horsepower vehicles. How do you accomplish that?
Ueo: There are so many factors that come into play when I drift. The most important is initially before an event begins I look at each course setup and determine which area would be the major judging point and take into consideration how I am going to enter and exit the turns to maximize my chances of winning. The maximum angle [kakudo] and ability to control the drift at a high speed is the major judging point in competition. Of course, judges also factor in a competitor's drift car and its rated horsepower, but in my case judges such as Keiichi Tsuchiya and Orido Manabu know I have the ability to overcome the underpowered vehicle handicap that limits most competitors in D1.
2NR: Kakudo is something that you do by taking both car and driver to the ragged edge without spinning out. How do you manage to slide the car at such a precarious angle?
Ueo: When I drift I have to feel out the car and know its limits. Regardless if it's a new track or if the weather is rainy or snowing, the same rule applies for each scenario. Every time I hit an apex, I can feel when the car is about to spin out and manage to keep it under control rather than jerking the steering wheel or fighting the car. The throttling and braking is such an important part of any drift. If you see some drivers out there, they tend to panic and hit the brakes at the wrong time, often locking them up and sliding into an embankment. You have to have confidence in your driving abilities and understand what you and your car's limits are. I like to think of a car as an extension of my hands and feet so when I drift I believe I am in complete control of the vehicle.