Sometimes it's a joy to open up some fresh e-mail, and sometimes it isn't.
To Whom It May Concern,
I was a subscriber of your mag (SCC) for a couple of years. I was going to renew until I read Chris Rado's column on drifting. I'm glad I read it waiting in line at an auto parts store so I didn't inadvertently support his column. His article reeks of ignorance (as do all of them but this one more than most). He thinks he can just jump into this sport like nothing. Didn't another contributor from SCC think he could do that? His drag racing isn't as popular now so he's just jumping on the next bandwagon. For him to look good it seems he feels he needs to put down other people. Well, it backfired. He's coming at this sport all wrong. Please don't let this unprofessional write for your magazine anymore. It's for your own good.CullenPalmdale, Calif.
Since receiving this letter, I've talked with Cullen. He's a good guy, he's just misinterpreting what I was trying to say about drifting, and I can understand that frustration to an extent.
Every month, my column is full of sarcasm that's not to be taken as actual insults. That's not really in my persona, and for those of you who've chatted with me on the drift forums, I think you know this by now.
Still, Cullen has a good point about my June column. And, if the posts on Drifting.com are any indication, he's not alone. Maybe I did come across as arrogant and dismissive of the existing pool of drifting talent. So let me clarify a few things.
First, I know I'm facing a steep learning curve with drifting techniques. But let's not make those techniques out to be something exotic. Drifting is about car control and the same driving tools that apply in road or circle track racing. In short, there's no magic involved and it's all learn-able as long as you have the aptitude, patience and determination. I'm not going to apologize for my determination, and the amount of time I've already spent driving sideways makes me believe I have the aptitude. I also have the confidence to go out there and test myself in competition. If I'm inept, it'll be out there for everyone to see.
Second, I've seen nothing to indicate that drag racing is waning in popularity. The number of competitors keeps growing, the crowds are still growing and it's still a huge amount of fun. There's nothing that says I can't love both drifting and drag racing and be successful in both. In fact, I look forward to the day when some smart promoter combines drifting and dragging into one competition. I'm going drifting because I want to, not because drag racing is fading.
Third, let's be honest about the ragged appearance of some of the drifting cars at D1 in Irwindale. D1 isn't drifting through a Kmart parking lot for a trophy, it's the top of the drifting pyramid. Cars get whipped every week in Nextel Cup and the teams have great-looking cars ready to run the next week. If drifting is going to realize its potential in the States, the elite-series cars have to look great no matter how many times they've been backed into concrete.
Fact is, it doesn't take much to make sure the cars are clean and painted well. This isn't smack-talk, it's the hard truth to those who care about the future of the sport and want to help it grow. My old racecars were as grassroots and cool as it gets, but they were still ghetto and I loved it. That's where all racing starts.
Fourth, Toyota's sponsorship of my drifting program consists of selling one pre-production (which can't be titled for the street) 2005 Tacoma X-Runner to WORLD Racing for a dollar and that's it. It'll be my own money that pays to lug it from event to event and fix its inevitable damage. This isn't a "factory sponsorship" by any stretch of anyone's imagination. Let's be clear, too, that there's no reason why a small pickup can't be an effective drifting machine. The X-Runner is rear drive and has a 240-hp, 4.0-liter V6 with a six-speed manual. It's perfect for drifting.
Finally, if you don't know me, you shouldn't judge me solely on these columns. Yeah, I can be arrogant, but I pride myself on always being friendly. I'm aggressive, but I also go out of my way to help any fellow racer, even when they're my greatest threat on the track. I'm no villain, but if you're determined to hate me, go ahead. I'm going to be around racing and drifting for a long time, so don't pile all your hatred on at once. I suggest you spread out the hatred so it'll last longer. I'll be here as long as possible to try to make motorsports fans smile.