Track Life

Last week was Formula Drift; we went to Press day on Tuesday and attended both qualifying and the main event. I decided to sit out shooting on Friday and enjoy the event as a spectator while hanging out with Yukio which was a really nice change of pace. It's different shooting specific drivers and not shooting everyone, but it was a good experience none the less, it will only help sharpen me as a photographer.

Fun fact: we just got internet access in our apartment, it has been about 3.5 months.
No complaints here, I moved in with a bachelor who travels constantly so I understood why it was the way it was. The good news is, I got to see my chookio more and more since he could do a little work from home. I was still day dreaming about all the fun we had over the weekend I almost forgot to look forward to the Grand Prix up this weekend. Our schedule is a little hectic for the next week; Grand Prix, IDRC (drag racing), and Las Vegas for the SEMA exhibitor summit from Monday to Wednesday. It was so refreshing to see something other than drifting, which don't get me wrong, that is where it all began for me, but my motorsport interest has matured into other reaches of the Industry and I was mostly looking forward to seeing the Prototypes compete in the Tudor Challenge/ALMS race. The Grand Prix involves a ton of walking around, but it is so worth it, especially if you are there to absorb and learn about several types of racing. Yukio's company sponsors some cars in World Challenge and Prototype; for some reason, the WC teams did not compete, but the two Sky Active Mazda cars did. Quite honestly, they got chewed up, but that's okay! That just leaves so much opportunity for growth after development.

Hearing what ALMS and World Challenge cars sound like up close and in person was like hearing the motorsport angels sing; Ferrari, Cadillac, Porsche, Audi, BMW... So Incredible! When the bunch of ALMS cars accelerated after the hairpin it was like all 9 years of drifting excitement was bubbled up into those few seconds of glorious roaring. Ferrari was so loud, you could here that driver spool up over the bunch of 6 other machines; one of the most amazing sounds to hear in person. Our friends Cuban, Kevin, and Travis were with us too, talking good shit and making even better jokes, I couldn't ask for a better experience than laughing and watching some amazing racing.

At the end of the evening, Motegi has their "Super Drift" Challenge where 16 drivers from the series compete instead of the usual demo they put on. I feel like that was a good move in terms of showing what Formula Drift is really like and will bring in a load of new faces for Irwindale or perhaps out of state events.
Yukio had to shoot photos and do all the social media stuff in the photographer pit both nights, so last night, I hung out with my new friend Ari in the spotter tower to which I found out was a suite for spectators too! Of course, it's not free and I could imagine it costs a pretty penny to be there... When the competition began, chooks came up and watched with us and we all had fun despite the chilly weather. Everyone did a great job showcasing what the series is about, and just from hearing the comments from new faces, this league is only going to continue it's rapid growth.

After the excitement, we finished with dinner at our favorite ramen spot in Gardena. Super authentic, and one of the best tasting hot meals for when it is cold.

Today is IDRC in Fontana, Import drag racing. I was going to go with Yukio again, but there was one problem; laundry. We need some fresh laundry for Vegas, and in the midst of the racing excitement, it kept getting put off. So I decided last night to stay back, clean our apartment, and make sure we have clean clothes for our trip. I guess that's love, right? I want to be supportive in more ways than cheering for my boyfriend's sponsored drivers, so hopefully cleaning today will do the trick (I know it does).

I am excited to leave tomorrow and spend a little time with my lovey out of state even though this is a work trip, but he will be traveling internationally and all over the US soon. We are trying to spend a good amount of time together before he is gone for basically 6 weeks. This is one of the aspects of my relationship I am going to have to learn to deal with in a positive manner, since we have basically been together since October. Time apart is good, but it will be a good challenge.

Well, it is time to watch a few of my favorite shows then start cleaning up a bit. Viva Las Vegas in the AM!

xo Drift Bunny  

Nutshell

My infamous time gaps, ah yes. Lovely, aren't they? I know, I know, I am terrible at updating. Here's the truth, it has been hard to update often with the situations I've been in. When I lived at home, our family PC was on it's last leg of life, so working on photos and posting/blogging was challenging. My mother let me use her work laptop on occasion to edit, but with work, obviously that was priority. So as always, here is the juicy post that catches you up to speed on the past 6 months or so on my life in motorsports and off the track.

I last left you all on a cliffhanger before SEMA. If you all follow my Instagram (@thedriftbunny) then you saw how crazy it was with the crazy industry parties every night, the exciting show itself, and of course, hanging out with a variety of new faces and old ones. I hadn't experienced wither SEMA or Vegas until that week, which was the most fabulous thing ever, going back to Vegas when it isn't SEMA is going to be debated ;) If any had noticed I went out there on Halloween, it was for a certain reason, and no, it was not to get extra partying in. 

This now brings me to one of the most exciting and special chapter in my life that I have already been very open with, the love of my life; my boyfriend Yukio. I went out early to hang out with who I originally saw as a friend, and wanted to just have fun few days early. Right off the bat, it was like I had known this person for years, and it was like seeing those animated stars when we had our conversations. Ironically, in the city of sin, I fell in love.

About December time, things at home were once again, rough and not working out. Just like last year, I left unexpectedly. I stayed in Moopark for a few weeks figuring things out and working a small part time at my favorite store, Sprouts. After about a month, I moved in with my boyfriend to the beautiful South Bay. We live on the border of Redondo Beach and Torrance, and it is so lovely here. Living on my own for a bit last year is totally different now, especially since I chose to have a better and positive state of mind than last year. Life for the past 4 months have been an adjustment, and I am now barely seeing here as my home. I have the most loving and supportive boyfriend here that wants to make sure I am always comfortable and happy as to where living in Highland Park, I had no one. Don't get me wrong, I am not an ignorant young woman that is going to sit here and rant about how I have the "best boyfriend in the world", because we have our ups and downs learning to cohabitate together.

The hardest aspect of living with a boyfriend has been the struggle to accept that I am no longer an "I" and have to learn to share space and adjust habits of mine like when I lived at home or on my own. All in all, it is fun, Yukio has an incredible career (in motorsports of course) and I have been lucky enough to go with him to few drag races and two time attacks. Today, we are  going to the 2nd day of the Long Beach Grand Prix, and it is just amazing. Being with someone who shares my love for motorsports feels like I've slipped on a pair of glass slippers.

Of course, there has to be one thing that isn't so peachy. I fell off the vegan/healthy wagon. I FEEL SO GUILTY! It really sucks. When I lived at home, our family room was very spacious and i could move my couches quite easily and get my workouts in, here, not so much ( haha). Yes, yes, I do remember my motivational sayings and postings, I should just move the damn sectional couch we have here along with the coffee table. The space here is small, however, I need to just suck it up. My whole being felt so in balance last year, and now I just want to be back in that spot. Hopefully that motivation stick whacks me in the head and there will be no belly aching about this! 

So there you have it, my life over the past 6 months or so. now that we have Internet and I have a laptop that won't travel from me, I can attempt to update this weekly (hopefully). I am planning on introducing a new blog on my cohabitation adventures, but will most likely just merge those stories with this blog. 

Off to the races we go! Make sure to keep up with my pink adventures of Instagram; @thedriftbunny... Let's see if I can reach 50k followers! :)

xo Drift Bunny 

Scribble, scribble, dot, dot.

I get asked a lot about this whole Drift Bunny project and what my agenda really is behind it. Truth of the matter is, I really do this whole thing because I love it and have such a passion for bringing these events to life. I have friends and family that aren't into any sort of motorsports and telling them all about the day or weekend adventures is always fun, especially because I get to somewhat experience it all over again. When I was in high school I had this one history teacher who would always take his time and ask everyone what they did over the weekend; if there was a drift event my hand would be up before he could finish his sentence. Simply telling classmates, friends, and family wasn't enough especially since my adventures kept getting more and more exciting and complex. My favorite part of any adventure I write about will always have to be when I am working on the track and am few feet away from these absolute monsters roaring past me and leaving behind their musky yet sharp smell of burning rubber... Oh! Just gives me goosebumps reliving those moments.

One of my favorite parts of each and every event is seeing all my friends and familiar friends that I have been lucky to make over the past years being around this chaotic playground. Formula D Long Beach feels so comparable to the first day of school, those same jitters and excitement from not seeing your friends after a few month hiatus, just anxious to see everyone's new monsters dance through the turns and hairpins. One of the best events to cover and experience all around. Some familiar faces aren't always in the Drifting side of things, they're working in the vendor village, have a show car in their own area, or some of them happen to be the pretty faces that make men melt; the models. Whatever they do, making the rounds around the general paddock with the diverse friends constantly makes me smile and happy to be in such an interesting industry with even more interesting characters.


Wouldn't you know? That's just for the pro league. Although I started off with Nightshifts and Formula D, JustDrift will always be like a second home for me. Willow Springs is where the raw talent and love for the sport is cultivated and nurtured, grassroot style. Beat to hell 240s, 86s, FC's and so on whine and wiz by with their stock motors and coilovers spinning often but returning promptly to the start line to try again. It's really an addictive taste that isn't difficult to acquire, but addictive once you have it; spectating, riding along, or driving, drifting is such a potent fun at any level. Top Drift is a lot of fun, especially in the recent seasons since more and more pro license hopefuls come out to journey themselves for a professional license. It really is grassroot days on steroids and twice exciting, just as down to earth.

The waking up early and driving through the mountains and desert that feels as if I'm traveling through Mars and is usually one of the best parts of the day before the track. Its usually cold and windy in the beginning of the season however weather and any other grievance seems to fade when everyone starts driving and especially when ride alongs are given out; that will always be my favorite part of any event, planned or not. There is something about driving with someone that is so magical and memorable each time without fail, I believe it is because every driver has their own unique style to their art, each personality seems to be painted a bit through their driving, just like every writer or photographer has their own personal touch to whatever it is they bring to life. In a way, it feels like I am able to get to know that person somewhat regardless if they are shy and not speak.

I could very well go on and on and on about how exciting every experience has been and try and make it dance in your mind, but you and I would most likely be here all day and night, but I promise I won't keep you hostage that long. Since Formula D Texas is in two weeks, and I have to wait to start doing what I do best, writing is my outlet for that excitement. The best part about Drifting is that I grew up throughout the whole experience; 15 to 22 years old. It never dulls, never becomes routine, and never becomes a jaded chore. Hopefully this little entry explains where I come from to a degree, because it will never be understood unless you go out and experience the monsters and magic for yourself.

xo Drift Bunny

New Adventures: Lamborghini Race

I am so excited to finally announce that I will be covering the Lamborghini Super Trofeo race alongside Indy at California Speedway in October! Shooting for GMG Racing from Orange County, CA, this modest size shop has proven themselves as a force to watch out for by producing some incredible track monsters such as the Audi R8, Porsche GT3 911, Lamborghini and Ferrari. Just this past the weekend at the Sonoma Grand Prix they nabbed 2nd &3rd place by Drivers Duncan Ende and James Sofronas.
Photo below by Jerry Truong of GMG Racing & of The Perfect Exposure blog
theperfectexposure.blogspot.com 
http://www.gmgracing.com/ 

That weekend will definitely be automotive filled since it ends the day of JustDrift's All Star Bash. Since I will already have an incredible new set up, I might as well take full advantage of it and shoot out to Willow Springs immediately after the event at Cal Speedway concludes. Lots of driving, but hey, this is what I just happen to live for.

Formula Drift Texas is right around the corner and I am leaving on the 12th, and officially counting the days more and more. New track, new city, new people, and still anyone's game. For all my lovies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, make sure to say hello when you see the big hair bow!

xoxo Drift Bunny

there might be coffee

Odd mood, here's what I tend to listen to when these moods strike. Interestingly enough, this is where my inspiration tends to be born out of. Last one seems to always give me the little cheerful momentum I need.
Enjoy xo

 

On the Daily

The past week and a half or so I have really been pushing my blog also with my updated portfolio a bit, so thank you all who have shared and viewed, been seeing lots of new countries from around the world and it makes me smile! So hello to all my new readers from beautiful Los Angeles! 

During the time I have been stalling to promote my updated portfolio I have been also focusing in my career as a Real Estate agent. It's been good so far, trying out a new method of working to prospect for new business since the market has gotten even more difficult than when I started. Talking to 40 people a day has been really challenging but its something I really have to attempt to stick to. My mom is the person I report to and since taking time apart she got her very own office in the town that I live in, so it makes it easier to go to and from home to play with my little yorkie who I bring to the office occasionally. 

Last weekend was very exciting and there are some new opportunities coming my way for media/motorsports. Right now I am just waiting on a confirmed date to announce a new style of racing I will be covering, I even got to hang out their shop in Orange County last Saturday. There is a new outlet that has presented me with an great spot on their team as well, so you will be seeing a lot more of the Bunny in front of the camera instead of behind with few things, so stay tuned! 

This summer has been a lot of fun meeting new people and trying new things especially after all the bullshit that happened right at the beginning, but I guess what they say is true, "time heals everything" and life has never felt happier for me. 

Still keeping up with being vegan and working out although I have come up with my own routine and when to do different videos; rotating the asylum, insanity, turbo fire, and P90x. Some guy today was telling me that I am basically putting my life at risk for being vegan and need to do more research... Hmm well, I've never been in better shape and the number of cat calls have increased drastically, so I'd say I'm doing fine haha.

There's about 3 weeks left until Formula D Texas and I'M SO EXCITED TO FREAKING GO!!!! I can't wait to cover this  event and totally get a second chance to make a Texas trip fun. Can't wait to feel the power of these monsters, smell the burning rubber, wipe tire boogers off my arms, and especially slip into the bow and mask again! Meeting Josh from edrift is going to be super fun too, really looking forward to that as well. 

TopDrift is this weekend and I am so sad to say that I will not be making it out there, I totally forgot that I have a baby shower that I need to go to for an old co-agent I worked with when I was at my first RE company. I know Rob is going to do incredible and everyone needs to send him good vibes for the last event of the season.

Keep in touch, will be writing again soon!
xoxo Drift Bunny

Throwback: Formula D Long Beach 2013

Here's a little throwback to earlier this season; round 1 FD Long Beach for those of you who missed my coverage on everythingdrift.com