Hello fellow Bunny followers! I have missed you and missed writing! Work has consumed my all my time, but I hope you have all been following me on Instagram (@thedriftbunny) and keeping in up with the adventures. Last weekend was Formula Drift Irwindale, Final Fight, to say the least, it was an all out fight! All season long, we've seen some triumphs to drama to a new champion emerge from literally nowhere. With the top 7 drivers within reach of the championship, it was anyone's game on Saturday and of course, nobody could have predicted anything. With Chris Foresburg repeating history of last year by slamming into the same wall, Vaughn Gitten getting knocked out by Pat Mordaunt, and Justin Pawlak meeting Daigo once again, I couldn't help but just nibble up all this Drifting drama and excitement. The Ninja, Daigo Saito had to leave one last small mark before battling JTP and defeating Rhys Millen as he slammed his Genesis Coupe into the last turn ending Rhys' season.
I was lucky enough to FINALLY get a ride along, after failed attempts (eh hem) and what not over the past few years during Thursday practice. Zoltan Hadju was kind enough to let me hop in his car last minute and gladly freaked me out with that first bank. HOLY CRAP. I've been on plenty of ride alongs before, but never one as exciting as this one! I understand why photographers use Go-Pros, ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO SHOOT SHIT FORM THE CAR. After I caught my breath, it was time to go and interview Zoltan; such a great guy! I will be covering his progress next year during his sophomore season at Formula D. If I'm not mistaken, Him and Daigo run the same motor set up; twin turbo V8? Pretty dope and can't wait to see him grow into his s14! For my Instagram followers, you all know that after that dreadful weather kicked in I left the track for home but somehow ended up with my best friend eating pie in Los Angeles. So good! I live about 45 minutes from the track and wasn't feeling like driving ALL THE WAY back to Ventura County then ALL THE WAY back to Irwindale, so I decided to stay with someone the night :) Friday was a little bit of a bust, only went to the track to get paddock coverage and then drive home to do some work to stop a trustee sale UUGGGGHHHH. I ended up staying with my favorite relatives later and was an honorary cheerleader in my cousin Vanessa's cheer squad for high school. Clearly, I have no shame. Saturday was pure madness even early in the morning, people were already lining up outside and later I found out that tickets were sold out before the gates opened at two! With my fellow EDrift photographer Chris by my side, we got to shooting around then splitting up. It's always so nice to see everyone at these events and catching up with plenty of laughter and goofing off
Picking up from the first paragraph and jumping back into it, Daigo Saito ended up winning the championship, not without first knocking out Justin Pawlak... After all that drama from Palm Beach, it was refreshing to see that Justin had no hard feelings toward the Ninja and man-hugged-it out. Besides, there's much worse that goes on that doesn't get caught and splashed all over the internet, back off JTP... I've never seen a rookie win the whole damn thing since I've been following the league, and good for him. With wins in D1 Japan and Formula Drift Asia, he can add FD USA under his belt. Gitten finished second overall and Rhys Millen third overall.
I have coverage from FD Vegas, but my lens was so crappy, and I FINALLY got a 70-200 for Irwindale, I'm too embarrassed to put it up haha! But I will link it anyways.
I am looking forward to next season, officially 10 years of Formula D and all the excitement that goes with it. Thank you all for reading and following my adventures, look out for next season as I plan to cover ALL 7 ROUNDS with new camera equipment and of course, the pink bow.
Love always,
the Drift Bunny xo
http://www.everythingdrift.com/blog/?page_id=797&g2_itemId=79338&g2_page=1 <--- Round 7 Coverage
http://www.everythingdrift.com/blog/?page_id=797&g2_itemId=77928 <--- Round 6 Coverage
