In drag racing, you were on top: In drifting not so much...explain?
As a team owner/car builder, we are on top. As I mentioned Tanner won Formula D last year. As a driver it's been a steep learning curve combined with all my responsibilities on the team. Tanner is the "A" driver and I'm the "B" driver/crew chief/team owner. Racing the drift car has been a real challenge for me, and a humbling experience as a driver. Competing at the top levels of drifting takes a huge amount of talent, skill and practice, all of which I'm working on.
Compare your worst crash drag racing versus drifting?
I crashed once in drag racing. In 2004, the red '03 Civic got loose during testing at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, Ariz., going over 140 mph and I ended up hitting the wall. Hard. I was fine, but because the car was all one-off custom built, the damage was over $75k and caused me to miss the first two events.
In drifting, I've crashed the S2000 a few times, but never had any huge damage to the car. The drift cars are factory-based chassis, so we can drop them off at the body shop and pick them up repaired. I think my worst crash was in Irwindale, where I ripped the front left suspension off the car. It cost only $3,000 in damage and the car was fixed in two weeks. I'm not scared of crashing; it's the fixing I don't like.
What's your involvement with the drift team?
I own and run the Rockstar/AEM two car drift team. Shawn Hillier and I pretty much do everything on both cars. From alignments, corner balancing, suspension setup, tuning, engine work, we do all of that in-house at AEM's facility. The only thing we don't do is paint and rollcages.
You're starting to get into circuit racing, how is that?
I'm doing some NASA club racing in the Honda Challenge series. I've built a personal '89 CRX Si for the H4 class. The rules are very limited for engine tuning-it retains the stock single cam-so it focuses on driving ability and suspension tuning. It's really fun and they are a great group of guys and competitors. I don't make any money doing this, in fact I spend my own, but it's well worth it. I've been learning a lot about chassis setup and driving techniques.
The one greatest motorsport achievement you're most proud of?
To be a part of a team and drive a race car that went over 200 mph-I think that's a barrier that few people get to experience. That and the fact I've been able to turn my hobby into a full-time profession.
Would you ever drag race again?
Definitely, if the right situation presented itself. It would have to be something new and different from what I was doing.
The next motorsport you'd want to try?
Taking the road racing a higher level would be fun. We've won championships in drag racing and drifting, and I think road racing is the next step. I think time attacks are getting people from our industry into road racing-we'll see where it takes us.
So, when can we expect you at our Super Lap Battle?
Unfortunately, my little CRX is not competitive outside the class it was built for. But I would be open to build an all out time attack car.
What about your S2000? Take that shit out!
It's totally setup for drifting right now. To be competitive, you have to build a specific car for its application.
Finally, where do you see yourself in five years?
On Youporn. With monkeys and import models. And Carter behind the camera. Honestly, I can't even see two years ahead, but I'm sure it'll be something in this industry.