Fast and The Furious: Okinawa Drift!!!
Just thought I’d share a few pics with you. Today I decided to take a day off work and head up to the North of Okinawa, to a racing “track”. It’s actually a glorified car park and is next door to a bull fighting arena. I headed up there with a good buddy of mine (Brian with his Nissan 180SX) and it was nice and quiet, with only 2 other drivers when we arrived. The idea was to drive around the makeshift circuit a little in turn (only 1 car at a time) and then try some drifting (aka glorified skidding!).
I make no bones about it - we were shown a thing or 2 by the Japanese guys! That drifting malarkey is a lot harder than they make it appear. To put it in diving terms, we both said we felt like Open Water divers being surrounded by dive instructors! The Japanese guys were great though, letting us look at their cars, offering encouragement and not once making any harsh comments while either of us were driving. But it was an entertaining morning, and educational too. By our 3rd or 4th run (we only drive for 10 minutes or so and then let the car/tyres/brakes cool down) we were both driving much more aggressively and handling it much better. But the day was wearing on, the sun was taking its toll and the tyres were taking a beating. We’d already seen a Japanese car actually shred 2 of its rear tyres, and then leave both its front and rear bumper out on the circuit!
Fun times, and we’ll be heading there again when we get the chance. Sorry about the lack of photo quality - my cameraman was afraid of getting run over if he got too close!!!
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Lucky you, drifting is illegal for SOFA status folk on the island so its not something I will get to try out (or even watch, that too is illegal). Not that the Nissan March would be up to it, I miss my Miata from the states!
Is it drifting that is illegal, or drifting on public roads? I’ve heard mixed things and quite a few people are of the opinion that if you’re on private land then it’s ok. I can’t say either way though as I’ve no connection with the military.
It’s not “illegal” exactly, but rather “the military says no.”
We weren’t told that were forbidden to operate a motor vehicle in such a manner as to cause it to engage in a prolonged skid… but we have been explicitly informed that we are forbidden from going to “that place up there where they set up a track for the Okinawans to go drift racing.”
There was (as usual) no real reason given, but the way these things usually come about is because, in the past, there were incidents in which military personnel were either participating and got into trouble (either physical injury, or just did something to cause someone else to complain to someone high-up enough to say ‘no more’).
We have heard that the reason we’re not allowed to go up and watch is because of the lack of safety provisions (guard rails, other things to keep the cars from careening off into bystanders–keeping in mind that I’m typing this from the perspective of someone who only ever gets this information third-hand, and I’ve never actually seen the site in question, outside of the pictures you’ve posted).
Long story short, it’s yet another scenario in which a small number of people went out and did something stupid and/or got themselves in trouble, and caused everyone else to suffer for it.
PS. “Initial D” was so much better than “Tokyo Drift”
Jason - Thanks for your comments and insights into that. It was interesting for me and I’m sure a lot of other readers will think the same.
It is sad that a small number of people have caused everyone to suffer. It’s often the case here, and is like that in the view of the Okinawans too. If they see someone doing something foolish, then in their eyes all foreigners are painted with that brush. That’s why I try to always create a good impression when I’m out and about.
Never seen Initial D, but might have to check it out:)
Whilst I’m reading this, Tokyo Drift is showing right now on the telly.
Cool Dave, are the chicks as hot as in the movie (where’s the innocent looking greamlin when you need one).
They are (you’ve seen my gf!) but most of the girls only hang around guys who can actually drift!
But everyone’s got to start somewhere, and once I get my upgrades fitted to my car in the next couple of weeks (including some new rear brake pads that I need), I’ll be giving it another go. I need to go with my friend who actually has done racing and knows what he’s doing.
If I get my MX-5 can I play too?? Though to be fair, my Puma has a damn good try on the country roads on the way to work!
Bim x