Drift Day prequel

Mark H. from Slide Squad

Before the drift days, there was Club4ag and Speetrial USA. Back then it was the diehard Corolla drivers from Club4AG making out to Speedtrial USA events. Back then it was all about Hondas, car shows and drag racing.  The little known technique of drifting was only known to the circuit racers and underground canyon runners. On cool day at Buttonwillow raceway in 2000 or was it 2001, north and south corolla drivers, with a few 240SX sprinkled in, met for drift action.  Back then none of the local track officials, nor the traditional grip drivers had no clue of what drifting was about or the firestorm that it was about to create in the industry.

I found some old photos of the event and scanned them in.

Pound colon

That's the name of the team I joined to compete in the Team Drift Championship Feb. 21. I'm not sure what it's supposed to mean, but I think it may have something to do with Powell Colin Powell. Anyways this past weekend I enjoyed some good track fun at Buttonwillow race track. What better way to start the new year, though a bit late, with a competition.

It's been a sometime since I drove at Buttonwillow. I rarely go here due to being a bit on the farther side and also the full track layout isn't as fun. Actually it's the two straights I don't like. The rest of it is a cornering freaks dream come true.

In true old school fashion I headed out at about 3:30 in the morning. Same way I did it back when I first started tracking the Corolla. This time I was balling in the tow rig.


I arrived to a chilly and damp track. Now let's meet the members of Team # :


Mayanwarrior (luis) TE72 4AG 20v


jigbros (gaylord) AE86 4AG 16v


ayee420 (chris) AE86 4AG 20v


orange advan (me) AE86 4AG boosted

It's a collaboration of the nor cal (them) and so cal(me) to represent the corollas, I think I was the only So Cal AE86 in the event. Two different factions with 2 different styles . A match made in heaven or a time bomb waiting to explode?

The day began with our team actually missing first practice. Not a good start. The next practice sessions, I was struggling finding the driving line and observing my teammates lines and initiation points. Since doing a group drift it requires alot of trust amongst drivers, it was going to be a very interesting day, since I have never driven with them.

Once competition rolled around, I still was not coordinated/prepared to run together. But didn't matter we were going to try and have fun while we were at it. I stayed at the tail end since i was the new guy and had more power than all of them combined. Our runs were less than perfect. Depending on who you talk to, they may say it was very dodgy or magnificent show. But in the end we didn't win, but I definitely had fun and so did the team. And if we didn't come away with the trophy we did come away with our cars in one piece. It days like this that Ice Cube comes to mind.

Can't ask for much more than that.



But here's a vid with 2 of our runs I took trying out a new camera and mount.

Thanks to Nor Cal/Team #: for inviting me into their team and their awesome hospitality. I'll drive with you guys anytime.

Photos from the event here

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Redline TA Rd. 1

Time attack season has just begun, but yet i'm sitting on the sidelines. The first round of Redline starts off this past weekend at Buttonwillow. A place where the locals don't need shampoo. But the BBQ is one of the best i've tasted. I've got a splitting heading so let's keep this short.


We are greeted by the only AE86 pilots in the field. Orange county hooligan Steve C. and Andy (every fanboys dream) Y. and some random little girl who jumped into the pic.


Looks like Andy giving some guy the finger after passing in the straight. But he really wasn't.


Even MR2 maniac Super Pilun putting foot to ass in the AW11 MR2. He loves 13in wheels. I think he's been hanging around the lowrider crowd way too long.


The little girl we met earlier is also a great tire changer, but you'll need to ask Mr. Rodgers if you can borrow her. He'll probably cut you if you even dare ask.


There was even a couple of R35 Skylines testing their skills on the track instead of having coffee in a parking lot in Irvine.


Something not seen very often, Toyota Tercel.

Overall a great weekend, though the level cars wasn't too impressive. But I give props to all who participate and do their best. For the rest of the pics click here.

Specialist T #2

At the shop, there was this corolla race car that the owner acquired not too long ago. I've seen the car in pics online. It's hard to miss a spoon colored corolla. I never truly knew the history of the car itself. On Club4AG a driver by the name of Scott Webb had posted an in car video. On his avatar there was a pic (shown above) of the car itself which looked like to one at the shop. I showed him the shop car and he confirmed that was the one. He gave me a very brief history of the car, it was owned by Paul Goduti and was featured in the Toyota Performance Handbook published in 1990. It's the silver hatchback with the mesh wheels. So it's been a race car most of it's life. Truely, amazing the car has survived for this long. If only it can speak, and tell us of the many battles it has faced over the years.



It's been through a couple of owners since then, and now sits in hibernation waiting for the call to do battle once again.



Here's a video Scott duking it out in a Cal Club SCCA enduro race at Buttonwillow in 2000.

Track Day

You think you're fast cause you gone to the "touge" and mash it around freeway on ramps, but are you really. Some people aren't really that fast cause in the back other minds their brain tells them to back off a tad cause they see a canyon wall, k rail, curb, etc. Never using the whole road, thus taking the wrong line, or braking early.
I always wonder why some people make excuses for not going to the track. It's basically an open playground for us to have fun. There's an open runoff area, so if you go off line you won't hit anything. Go full throttle without annoying the local law enforcement. And not endangering other drivers, which everyone should take notice of this. Sure it costs money, but if you get into an accident or maybe even hurt someone, will that money you save be worth it?
If you're still not convinced or just making excuses like "My car isn't ready" cause you're afraid of making a fool of yourself, I found a driving instructor Colin Lucas has made a couple of instructional videos of Southern California tracks. I actually watched his Willow Springs video to prepare for the 4AG Challenge, since I only was there once. And I wanted every advantage I can get.
Let's not make excuses and go have some safe fun. Most people at the track are really helpful and can answer any questions you may possibly have. You may even see me there, but don't ask me questions cause I probably will steer you the wrong direction.



Steets of Willow (My personal favorite)



California Speedway, the road course w/part of the oval. Never been to the oval part, only drove the road course section.



Willow Springs International Raceway "Big Track" Only been here twice. I consider it more of a horsepower/ speed freak track. But it's easy to learn and drive.



Buttonwillow Raceway. I hate the straights, but everything else is great.