Story by Jan Lin. Pictures by Les Tan. Highlights on RedSportsTV
Changi Exhibition Centre, April 28, 2008 – If you are looking for a spectator sport that is capable of arousing all 5 human senses, look no further than drifting. With the visual spectacle of high-speed cars, the smell of smoke, and the sounds of souped-up engines mingled with cheers, it was no wonder Singapore's first-ever Formula Drift Championship drew a sell-out crowd of 11,000 enthusiastic spectators.
From Singapore's homegrown drift driver Ivan Lim to 2004 Professional Drift Grand Prix Series (D1GP) title holder Ryuiji Miki of Japan, the event showcased some of the finest drift drivers from across the globe, including Malaysia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Brazil, Thailand and USA.
Unlike conventional racing where speed and strategy are at the heart of the game, drifting emphasises execution and style, providing motorsport with a rare artistic touch. Formula D judges assess drift drivers based on 4 fundamental criteria: Line, Speed, Angle and Impact. Each driver starts off with a perfect score of 100 points and points are deducted with every mistake made by the driver through to the finish line. (Visit Formula Drift for a comprehensive judging guide.)
The Sunday event kicked off at 9am with the qualifiers, and the day heated up as the elimination-round tandem battles between the top 16 qualifiers kicked off in the afternoon.
Ivan Lim made the final 16, giving Singaporeans someone to cheer for. Ivan is an expert drift driver and is fully sponsored by the Championship host Binter & Co. As a top drift driver in Singapore, Ivan picked up drifting by himself at Malaysia's race tracks in 2005. Formerly trained by Ken Nomura at Sekia Hills in Japan, Ivan put up a commendable performance at this Championship coming in 10th place overall in his Goodyear Binter Toyota Chaser JZX 100.
As the drivers inched closer to a place on the podium, spectators were treated to grittier and more exhilarating action, as collisions, spinouts and off-courses - all warranting demerit points - littered the 200-by-120 metres closed-course circuit.
The semi-final between Malaysia's top drift driver Tengku Djan and New Zealand's Mike Whiddett (nicknamed "Mad Mike") was arguably the highlight of the day. In their thrilling tandem battle, the 31-year-old Malaysian in a Firestone Toyota Corolla overcame a near spinout to steal the final ticket from the jovial Kiwi (who drove a Goodyear Mazda FD3S RX-7).
Tengku Djan put up an outstanding performance throughout the day and was clearly growing in confidence with each battle that came his way. He went head on against the 32-year-old Ryuji Miki, who took out his American teammate 28-year-old Conrad Grunewald in the other semi-final, and each finalist entertained the crowd with his willingness to step up in the risk department during their final tandem battle.
The US-based Japanese cleverly edged out Tengku Djan by a whisker to claim the first-ever Formula Drift Singapore Championship title. The event concluded with the fashionable motorsport champagne-spraying ceremony as motorsport enthusiasts watched on from close range.
Final Standing
1st Ryuji Miki (Team USA) Mazda RX-7
2nd Tengku Djan (Team Malaysia) Toyota 180SX/AE86
3rd Mike Whiddett (Team New Zealand) Mazda RX-7
4th Conrad Grunewald (Team USA) Honda S2000
Share your thoughts about the event through the REDpoll below. You can pick multiple answers.
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ooh ok, cause shooting at the track side, you have to squeeze with the other photographers. I had a grandstand seat (sacrifice a little 🙂 ), I think that kind of helped a little.
Well, for me i just endured the hotness, @ the end of the day i will just go home burnt hahaha.
Van
*btw pls delete the previous comment, I accidentally clicked on the wrong button
HI Van,
Thanks for sharing your pic. The colour of your pic is beautiful, unlike mine, which are look washed out.
I was standing at the media area for photographers. For that event, I was shooting track side with the spectators at ground level but the pictures were even worse until I got to the higher vantage point.
That made all the difference. But the event, so HOT! Can die.
les
Les, very cool pics =) , where were you standing for the bird’s eye view?
I want to share this pic, since you reported on that event.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/van88/2466278606/in/set-72157604895255425/
Van.
Thanks, JH. Yeah, the choice of location makes a difference. The barricades spoil the pictures at ground level.
Great photos !
Some nice bird’s eye view of the race track and drifting cars in motion, I was stuck behind the fence and blocked by the safety barricades, made taking drifting photos a tricky challenge at times (also depending on where you stationed yourself).
Missed catching you at this event, Leslie !
Do drop by my blog and flickr and take a look at my posts and uploads.
JH