Star Drift Challenge 2009 Finals – Day 2

As the second day dawned on the track at A’Famosa Resort, the participants could be heard practicing since the wee hours of the morn, piercing the heavenly silence with 4AGE roars and blowoff valves. Lugging ourselves from the bed and being treated to a sumptuous breakfast at one of the clubhouses, the track was full of participants trying their very best to dial in their cars for the final push towards qualifying.

These two were really early that day. The sun was still lazily rising in the sky yet the tires on these 86es were hotter than the bitumen on the parking lot.

You would think that it harbors a turbocharged 1.6, yet looks can be deceiving.

Check that out; a 13B rotary resides in the engine bay!

These two guys were trying out the perfect lines for all clipping points throughout the morning during the unofficial practice.

Tires are very important in a drift race; Team Goodyear usually needs about 14 pairs per car for two days of drifting, and that is cutting it close due to the amount of laps one needs for practicing. Look at how even the wear is on these Revspec rubbers!

Despite the rivalry amongst the drivers, there is a good level of camaraderie amongst the regular faces. Even in the face of stiff competition, they shared more than a few laughs during the qualifying briefings. Even if the rules varies from track to track and the various organizers out there, the premise is simple; go as close you can to the clipping points with the most angle and speed that you can muster – with throttle commitment!

Official Practice/Qualifying

These images above were taken from the judge’s podium which is the perfect place to view the participants’ lines during the crucial first corner. As you can see, not many are able to complete the rather unexpected long straight and subsequent right-hander curve. Most drivers would simply straighten out at the rear clipping point if too much angle was applied during the initiation point. Unless you had the power, one would have to clutch kick or pull the handbrake slightly after the point to continue drifting.

The four images above were taken from the most dangerous point on the track – the rear clipping point. Not only associated with the highest speeds, drivers tend to go beyond the edge of their capabilities, ending in a wipeout through the tires or even hitting one of the palm oil trees behind the wall. I would feel safer if the wall was some concrete barrier like Formula D or D1 Grand Prix, but that poses even more risks for the drivers as one can total his or her car.

These three images on the other hand, was taken from a relatively ‘safe’ portion of the track, unless some guy oversteers into the apex or something. The Soon Jaya 180SX was caught a split-second after his bumper made contact with one of the track markers.

Ariff and Joe-Han making jokes on the PA system. Yes, they had nothing better to do.

Ah Heng’s Yokohama Advan – sponsored AE86 is therefore named the cone-killer of the year – this unfortunate subject was dragged from the first clipping point until the rear clipping point! It is also a testament to his driving skills, keeping it squarely in the middle in front of the car, even during transitioning!

Ivan Lau doing the opposite of what champions would normally do. He was practically snoozing away during the lunch break!

The boys catching up on some cheap deals found in the back issues of On The Road magazine. Cute!

Tsusio/Best 16

The Tsusio briefing was as slightly more serious affair until Ivan brought up the PIT maneuver question!!

1st round off was Micheal Gan vs. Ivan Lau. The nimble Hachiroku kept up with 1JZ power as if it had tied itself to the Goodyear car.

Team Bridgestone members waiting for Tengku Djan’s outing during the Tsuiso. It was too hot to be standing out on the track, therefore we missed most of the Tsusio runs; can someone sponsor us a cool suit for future events? To add to the kicker, the long-range zoom was misbehaving too, so there ya go, sorry.

Ariff vs. Mr.K. The naughty boys played with some car to car contact!

Along and Loyai during their battle.

T.Djan and Ariff in a closely-fought battle which was really a nail-biting finish!

Along beating Ariff to the finals.

Along and Ivan in the finals. No guesses to who won the event this time around; the Hachi was that consistent.

Prizegiving

Ivan celebrating at the end. Sleeping paid off REAL well for this chap!

The winning cars; Along’s ride looks deceptively stock; can you tell whether it has a rollcage or not?

The prizes!!

Let me explain; at Star Drift, the prize-giving ceremony is like a mini-Songkran festival; winners will get a drenching, whether they liked it or not, so winners, now you know who sprayed what at you, refer back to this page for revenge! Looking at the pictures, Jane had the most fun though, despite being sick with flu.

The day ended on a high note for our helpful temporary pit crew from Tampin who were given free drift rides from Ariff.

With that, Star Drift 2009 was over, congratulations to Ivan and Team Bridgestone for running away with the championship, and here’s hopes to meeting again in Melaka next year! Mycarslowbai.com would also like to thank Team Goodyear for their hospitality throughout the weekend and also Ryuk1d who helped with the transport. See you guys this Sunday at the GRA Autocross 2009 finals!