If anyone had asked me six years ago if I would find myself involved with the sport of drifting, I would have said not at all likely.
Since then, I have dedicated countless hours trying to put together opportunities for folks to participate in this new to the USA sport. I’ve driven more miles than I care to even begin to tally. Miles logged going to NASA race events, learning about that organization and their philosophies. These miles and hours had one single goal: develop and maintain a partnership with the National Auto Sport Association for the developing drifting community.
Without the NASA sanction, drifting in Colorado would not have had a chance. The event liability insurance to cover an event like drifting is not cheap and it certainly isn’t easy to find. I have endured hours on gnat infested, hot track corners. I’ve stood in the freezing elements with no shelter. Withstood sinus damaging dust on the prairies of Colorado. There have been the long drives to oversee events several hours from home. Many of those trips have been self-funded.
Seeking out venues that would allow drifting on the property has been quite a learning experience. Figuring out who to talk to and how to approach the topic has been a pleasant challenge. More often than not, this involved explaining what drifting is and how it won’t result in a lawsuit against the property owners.
Once the locations had been secured, the next challenge was anticipating how many seats would be filled. As there was no fund pool to dip into, the events had to be paid for by the drifters. With rare exceptions, the drifters came through with the funds to pay the expenses.
There have been many times when I stopped and asked myself “Why do I do this?!” Inevitably, I finish the prep work for that event and meet up with the drifters at some unnatural hour of the morning. They have always been eager to start the event, yet not so eager to see it end. I’ve stayed up late getting ready and gotten up early to go. Most of the time, never getting up early enough since there has frequently been those last minute things to put in the truck.
I realize I over prepared and under prepared events. Often on the same events. After so many drift events and race days you would think I would have the process down to a set of standards. What to load. What to not forget. What the backup plan is if a don’t-forget item gets forgotten. I am certain that the biggest chore of all has been loading and unloading the truck. This I did alone, only occasionally getting a hand from one of my sons.
Let me tell you, waking up after too few hours of sleep, finishing loading the truck, driving 1 – 3 hours, then spending 10 hours outdoors before reloading the truck for the 1 – 3 hours return trip then having to unload everything, is a really good reason to ask why I do this.
Really, why have I done this?
No matter how much is involved in preparing for an event, there has always been a payoff. The joy of watching this group of people interact, and even grow up in some cases, has been rewarding.
There have been the comments and implications on the forums, threats clearly stated and those implied, the bits of news shared by those on the periphery or intimately involved, to sort out and deal with. Often the sharing of this information has been well intended, however hurtful it may have been to hear. The old adage of ‘ignorance is bliss’ offered little solace most of the time. Once you pass that threshold of knowledge, there can be no ignorance.
I’ve made tons of ‘friends’ and a few ‘enemies’ in the process. Some of the ‘friends’ will always be remembered fondly and missed dearly. I know that I haven’t made any real friendships along the way. I’ve never been so misguided as to think I would be socializing with any of the drifters in the future.
Yet, I will be sad next season. I will miss the drifting triumphs and fiascoes. Such as they were.
I will always remember my sense of pride at an event that really defined why I went through so much for a sport I don’t even actively participate in.
A couple of years ago we were invited to do an intermission show at a stock car race. As the day began, there was a collision with the wall during the warmup laps. While the car was out of the running for the show, it became a focal point in its own way. Standing at the STARTING LINE, watching the drifting and seeing the crowd response, I felt a tremendous sense of pride. To know that I had somehow given these guys a chance to demonstrate a sport that they are passionate about was great!
Back in the pit, the broken car found plenty of helpful people. Members of racing pit crews showed up with tools and parts. They were able to get the car road worthy. To know that these guys would take the time to help a kid with a car that they had never met, was inspiring.
The real moment that defined the event and the people who participate came later. The track owner gave each of the guys $50 for putting on such a great show. As we were packing up to leave, I spied the driver who had hit the wall. He was standing there, hands on his head, looking totally floored and a bit emotional. I asked one of the guys why.
They each had given him the money they had received. These men, and this generous act, made me proud.
I have been proud to have played a part in the development of Drifting in Colorado. Though I am moving on to do other ‘work’, I will always answer your phone calls and your e-mails.
Now, drifters, it is up to you to carry on!
I bid you adieu.
