It's been pretty quiet here recently, mainly because i've been so busy breaking, fixing and drifting cars and attending the first round of BDC! More to come on that later.
For now, i thought i'd show you a video i watched today of Sumika Kubokawa, the female member of Team Orange in Japan. She's got a brilliant attitude towards drifting and definately has some skills behind the wheel!!
This has given me lots of enthusiasm to get another ladies practice day organised and drag the lovely Ana Rodrigues over from Portugal for some twinning practice!!!
If you're a woman interested in coming to a ladies only practice day or perhaps you're a drifter already, wanting some extra practice with like minded women, get involved and give me an e-mail on laura_ty80@hotmail.com
10/05/2011
13/04/2011
The countdown to BDC!!
Well with 8 days, 21 hours and 5 minutes left until the start of the 2011 BDC season (of course i'm not excited in the slightest.... ) all the drivers are busy getting the cars ready and there are even some well prepared drivers who have had some time to practice in their newly set up cars - although not many!
The season kicks off on Friday 22nd April at Donnington Park. BDC will be making full use of the launch pad area and if last year was anything to go by we'll be all set to watch some nice fast entries into the first corner!
For those not too familiar with competition drifting, not only do you have to build you car to be competitive with regards to power, suspension set up and tyres, you also need to build your car to very specific safety regulations. This includes a full 6 point roll cage, internal and external engine kill switches and extinguisher pull cables, as well as various other things such as FIA approved bucket seats, fire retardant clothing etc
Sid, who will be competing in the Pro league in his RB20 powered Nissan Laurel, has only a few things to complete before the first round as lucky for us, Sid's car is basically up to spec already (Gold star for our pre-planning skills!) therefore giving us time to make the Laurel look awesomely eye catching... more info later ;)
So, as we come up to the last week before Round 1 here's some pictures from last season to help the competitors who are struggling to get their cars ready, keep their enthusiasm when everything may seem to be going wrong...
And finally, midget chunk gives you all a thumbs up.................
The season kicks off on Friday 22nd April at Donnington Park. BDC will be making full use of the launch pad area and if last year was anything to go by we'll be all set to watch some nice fast entries into the first corner!
For those not too familiar with competition drifting, not only do you have to build you car to be competitive with regards to power, suspension set up and tyres, you also need to build your car to very specific safety regulations. This includes a full 6 point roll cage, internal and external engine kill switches and extinguisher pull cables, as well as various other things such as FIA approved bucket seats, fire retardant clothing etc
Sid, who will be competing in the Pro league in his RB20 powered Nissan Laurel, has only a few things to complete before the first round as lucky for us, Sid's car is basically up to spec already (Gold star for our pre-planning skills!) therefore giving us time to make the Laurel look awesomely eye catching... more info later ;)
So, as we come up to the last week before Round 1 here's some pictures from last season to help the competitors who are struggling to get their cars ready, keep their enthusiasm when everything may seem to be going wrong...
And finally, midget chunk gives you all a thumbs up.................
Pictures courtesy of Ross at Doristars
05/04/2011
04/04/2011
If it doesn't break, you're not trying hard enough....
It's been a bit quiet here recently, i've been a busy girl getting my S14 ready for some big Mallory skids.. now the big Mallory skids are over i thought i'd share some pictures and videos with you guys!
I turned up bright and early Thursday morning in the hope of getting a garage in the pit lane and it's lucky i did as the weather wasn't very nice, me and Sid got to work getting the S14 and Laurel ready for some drifting.
To those that weren't aware Sid's not had the best of luck with his Laurel, having two front end smashes in the past 4-5 months. This meant a long wait for some expensive headlights from Japan... so we thought it was best not to risk smashing another pair, seeing as it was only a practice day and the start of BDC is so close, we took the headlights out and took the bodykit off.
So the drifting started and i think Bob's wise words in the drivers briefing settled in this time, as i did notice there were less red flags than last time!
There were a number of well known drivers who turned up for a relaxed day of drifting with friends, Paz, Jay of JimsFactory, Phil 'The guy' Morrison and Mitch of DriftGarage.
There were also a few drivers testing out their new cars, Sid in his RB20 powered Laurel was testing his new turbo set up courtesy of Lance at Precision Automotive, Phil Maclachlan testing his new V8 powered green machine and Jason Davis in his pimp 1jz Cressida.
Unfortunately Jason only managed to get in a couple of laps in the Cressida due to a dead alternator!
The sight of Jay drifting parts of the track i haven't even attempted makes me feel totally un-deserving of my 200 horses!
Personally it was a brilliant day for me, even though i managed to bend two steering rods, get stuck on the track and put a hole in one of my boost pipes it was all made worthwhile when i found my balls and drifted Devils Elbow for the first time! A scary but very rewarding corner to drift! Thank you to Mitch at DriftGarage who luckily had a spare steering rod (which i then also bent lol)
I turned up bright and early Thursday morning in the hope of getting a garage in the pit lane and it's lucky i did as the weather wasn't very nice, me and Sid got to work getting the S14 and Laurel ready for some drifting.
To those that weren't aware Sid's not had the best of luck with his Laurel, having two front end smashes in the past 4-5 months. This meant a long wait for some expensive headlights from Japan... so we thought it was best not to risk smashing another pair, seeing as it was only a practice day and the start of BDC is so close, we took the headlights out and took the bodykit off.
So the drifting started and i think Bob's wise words in the drivers briefing settled in this time, as i did notice there were less red flags than last time!
There were a number of well known drivers who turned up for a relaxed day of drifting with friends, Paz, Jay of JimsFactory, Phil 'The guy' Morrison and Mitch of DriftGarage.
There were also a few drivers testing out their new cars, Sid in his RB20 powered Laurel was testing his new turbo set up courtesy of Lance at Precision Automotive, Phil Maclachlan testing his new V8 powered green machine and Jason Davis in his pimp 1jz Cressida.
Unfortunately Jason only managed to get in a couple of laps in the Cressida due to a dead alternator!
The sight of Jay drifting parts of the track i haven't even attempted makes me feel totally un-deserving of my 200 horses!
Personally it was a brilliant day for me, even though i managed to bend two steering rods, get stuck on the track and put a hole in one of my boost pipes it was all made worthwhile when i found my balls and drifted Devils Elbow for the first time! A scary but very rewarding corner to drift! Thank you to Mitch at DriftGarage who luckily had a spare steering rod (which i then also bent lol)
I'll finish off with some pictures courtesy of Mark White Photography and AmmoPhotography.
My Mint Tyres team mate, Wayne Keeber being chased by top female UK drifter Julie Robinson.
The most enjoyable corner i have ever drifted....
Sid Crowfoot testing out the new Precision Drift/Automotive Nissan Laurel.
and finally an awesome video from Dan Joyce to promote Awesomefest 2011 showing some of the brilliant drifting and the awesome atmosphere at FCD days...
18/03/2011
Celebrating Friday with some Manx Rallying!
It's Friday!!! and I'm celebrating with some good old Manx rallying :D
I've been back and forth to the Isle of Man for the last few years, living there has good and bad sides.. drifting is (was) practically non existant over there and getting on and off the island for drift events was extremely costly.
The good side..... the AMAZING roads and driving talent!
So here are some videos from this amazing little island, featuring the lanes i could often be found terrorising :)
I've been back and forth to the Isle of Man for the last few years, living there has good and bad sides.. drifting is (was) practically non existant over there and getting on and off the island for drift events was extremely costly.
The good side..... the AMAZING roads and driving talent!
So here are some videos from this amazing little island, featuring the lanes i could often be found terrorising :)
This one gives a good idea of the main roads used on the island
13/03/2011
Ladies only drift day - 05/03/11
On Sunday 14th November 2010 i ran the first ever Ladies only international drift practice day and as we all enjoyed it so much, i decided to organise another.. So on Saturday 5th March 2011, 13 women headed to Santa Pod raceway in Northamptonshire for a day jam packed full of practice.
The day started early for me, up at 5.30am, got to Santa Pod for 8.30am to set up the big track for some big smokey skids! Bob, who i run the drift days with was already there helping to set up the play pens and get all the ladies together for the drivers briefing.
9.30am on the dot, the lovely Heidi was ready and waiting to get on the big track. I've never known someone so eager to get in every second of track time possible!
Also in attendance was my Mint Tyres team mate Sharon Cope, trying out her Mk3 Supra which had only been started for the first time in 18 months, the day before! Despite the open diff and amazingly bouncy suspension she did pretty good in it, however unfortunately a broken clutch ended the day early for Sharon.
BDC Pro driver, Julie Robinson came up to lend a hand and pass on her drifting wisdom!
Steve our lovely tyre man showed his feminine side, unfortunately i didn't have a chance to get the make up out!
There were a few ladies who started off in the donut and figure of 8 areas but soon progressed and by the end of the day and could be seen confidently linking up the big track, such as Debbie Joy in her R32.
BDC Semi Pro driver, Kirsty Widdrington was getting some practice in her Nissan PS13 (Syril) before the season starts, very much enjoyed chasing Kirsty around the track in the afternoon!
Ana Rodrigues made the journey all the way from Portugal to join us for some drifting in her missile s13, her drifting improves every time i see her and i had so much fun drifting with her.
Future twinning partners???? :)
Overall, it was a very successful day, everyone had a really good time and improved lots! I really hope to see more women in drifting over the next couple of years.
Here are some more pictures from the day, thanks to Graham 'Bolf' Beatty and Matt Cross
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53495510@N08/sets/72157626078720389/
The day started early for me, up at 5.30am, got to Santa Pod for 8.30am to set up the big track for some big smokey skids! Bob, who i run the drift days with was already there helping to set up the play pens and get all the ladies together for the drivers briefing.
9.30am on the dot, the lovely Heidi was ready and waiting to get on the big track. I've never known someone so eager to get in every second of track time possible!
Also in attendance was my Mint Tyres team mate Sharon Cope, trying out her Mk3 Supra which had only been started for the first time in 18 months, the day before! Despite the open diff and amazingly bouncy suspension she did pretty good in it, however unfortunately a broken clutch ended the day early for Sharon.
BDC Pro driver, Julie Robinson came up to lend a hand and pass on her drifting wisdom!
Steve our lovely tyre man showed his feminine side, unfortunately i didn't have a chance to get the make up out!
There were a few ladies who started off in the donut and figure of 8 areas but soon progressed and by the end of the day and could be seen confidently linking up the big track, such as Debbie Joy in her R32.
BDC Semi Pro driver, Kirsty Widdrington was getting some practice in her Nissan PS13 (Syril) before the season starts, very much enjoyed chasing Kirsty around the track in the afternoon!
Ana Rodrigues made the journey all the way from Portugal to join us for some drifting in her missile s13, her drifting improves every time i see her and i had so much fun drifting with her.
Future twinning partners???? :)
Overall, it was a very successful day, everyone had a really good time and improved lots! I really hope to see more women in drifting over the next couple of years.
Here are some more pictures from the day, thanks to Graham 'Bolf' Beatty and Matt Cross
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53495510@N08/sets/72157626078720389/
28/02/2011
FCD:MP - My first Mallory day.
Yesterday was my first trip to Mallory Park for their infamous open pit lane, full circuit drift day and what can i say... I've fallen in love with Mallory Park!
To give a bit of back ground on FCD:MP, a guy called Bob Inglis started running drift practice days there in December 2009/January 2010, Chunk kicked it off nicely with his 130mph entry into Gerrards corner!
Unfortunately due to lack of interest the majority of FCD days got cancelled in early 2010 until there was an out cry on the Driftworks Forum for everyone to support these days and not lose this amazing track and ever since they have all been fully booked!!!
So, onto my first experience of FCD:MP.
The night before me and my boyfriend, Sid made the drive up to Leicester via Fabricage in Cambridge to pick up Sid's C33 Laurel, staying with local Mallory drifter Chunk we could get up to the track nice and early (still not early enough to get a garage!)
We unloaded our stuff with everyone else in the large open pit area and headed to the briefing. There was a good turn out for the day including 30 drivers and about 10 guests joining in the action, we were warned the morning may get a bit crazy with everyone heading out together... and with the new wet tarmac, there were a lot of red flags out!
If you haven't been to a FCD:MP day before you're required to complete three viewing laps to get to grips with the circuit, so myself along with a group of others headed out at 9.30 to get a look at the track and realise just how big the place is!
Mallory is a step up from the usual drift tracks currently used in the UK and unfortunately does claim some casualties. Matt and Ian Blackett (new name Stackett) were the unlucky ones on this occasion and Matt is perhaps looking at re-shelling his S14a after some contact with the wall.
To give a bit of back ground on FCD:MP, a guy called Bob Inglis started running drift practice days there in December 2009/January 2010, Chunk kicked it off nicely with his 130mph entry into Gerrards corner!
Unfortunately due to lack of interest the majority of FCD days got cancelled in early 2010 until there was an out cry on the Driftworks Forum for everyone to support these days and not lose this amazing track and ever since they have all been fully booked!!!
So, onto my first experience of FCD:MP.
The night before me and my boyfriend, Sid made the drive up to Leicester via Fabricage in Cambridge to pick up Sid's C33 Laurel, staying with local Mallory drifter Chunk we could get up to the track nice and early (still not early enough to get a garage!)
Kirsty Widdrington and Tom Yates of Team Twisted getting the cars warmed up.
We unloaded our stuff with everyone else in the large open pit area and headed to the briefing. There was a good turn out for the day including 30 drivers and about 10 guests joining in the action, we were warned the morning may get a bit crazy with everyone heading out together... and with the new wet tarmac, there were a lot of red flags out!
Jay from Jims Factory was ready to get out there in his MX5
The straight going into Gerrards corner.
So i went out for my first laps and thought I'd take it steady gripping most of it and skidding some of the easier corners like the hair pin until i got used to the fast pace of the track!
The day is so well organised yet unstructured at the same time, come and go as you please and you can go drifting with who you like!
Sid drifting the hair pin in his C33 Laurel
Julie having some fun around Gerrards and making it look far too easy!
The Japspeed lads seeing how good an s14 can off road
Andy Shervington couldn't have possibly driven his little XE powered Starlet harder. Skills!
Paz ironically getting shown up by the under powered Starlet! He won't ever grip Gerrards again haha
By about 4pm everyone was starting to get pretty tired after having a whole day of open track time, so the track quietened down a bit, the perfect time for me to try some different entry techniques.....
It didn't really work out! But Mallory is a great learning curve where you can try new things and do so in relative safety. Thanks to Ammo and Malx for digging me out!
The day finished on a total high, the new track pushed me to do things other tracks didn't.
I didn't once feel in over my head, as it's such a relaxed place. If you want to grip the majority of the track and drift the less scary bits you can and there is no pressure to do 100mph Gerrard style entries straight away (although of course that's what everyone aims for!)
There are corners for all skill levels and next time i am determined to nail Devils Elbow!
So, will i go back?? I'm already booked in to the next day on March 31st!
Want to join us? You can find details here.
To end, here are some pictures which reflect the fun and excitement that can be had at Mallory FCD days.
Photographs taken from Drifted.com, Simon Buchanan Booker, Matt Cross and Ammo Photography and others! Thank you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)