January 30th, 2011

I have to say I’m so relieved to know that Nakamura-san is back in action.
Guess who dropped into Tomei Powered today, Naoki Namakura the man himself, along with Takuya Hamakawa-san of Car Studio (D-Max). So, what are the plans for 2011 you wonder? Nakamura-san has confirmed that he will be competing this year. Not in D1, but in another series. What most people don’t know is that Naoki Nakamura is using Tomei Powered products in the cars he uses for competition and street.
Source: Tomei Japan.

January 18th, 2011

Traffic law violation: Suspected drift racers arrested, Minoo, Osaka.
After investigation of repeated dangerous driving the mountain region of Minoo, Prefectural Police Transportation Investigation Division have announced that professional racer and suspect Naoki Nakamura (28) of Nara Prefecture, Sakurai City is among sixteen men charged on suspicion of reckless driving.
Mr Nakamura was arrested in the early morning on the first of August last year at Aomatani road in Minoo City after using a modified car to slide at high speeds (drifting) in a dangerous manner.
Mr Nakamura is a domestic drift competition champion. “I wanted to practice” the suspect has admitted.
Akira Chatani
(source)
The following Day the D1 Press released this:
Media Release regarding Naoki Nakamura
According to a newspaper report dated January 11th, D1 Grand Prix participant Naoki Nakamura was arrested by the Osaka Prefectural Police Transportation Investigation Division on suspicion of reckless driving traffic violations in the early morning hours of August 1, 2010, after drifting on a road in the mountains of Osaka Prefecture.
We feel this regrettable incident is contrary to the sportsman’s code of conduct for a D1 licence holder. To all of the other earnest, striving competitors, to the fans who are cheering at our events and to everyone else involved, I apologise for this scandal from the bottom of my heart.
After hearing from the person himself of the severity of his arrest, an official staff meeting was held at which it was decided to suspend all his appearances at our events for an indefinite period.
The core focus of the D1 Grand Prix corporation is the sporting development of circuit-based drifting, allowing drivers to show the art and skill of their technique and car control in judged competition.
Drifting events are held in over 35 countries around the world, and D1 is a pioneer and world leader in drift competition. This means we must strive to practice a proper competition and follow policy in recognition of our position.
Following this incident, we will be striving to foster future awareness of this issue among our competitors.
January 13, 2011
D1 Corporation Co., Ltd.
President and Board Representative, Osamu Suzuki
(source) NORI YARO

January 17th, 2011

I’m sure a lot of you have been keeping up to date with the latest news regarding Naoki Nakamura-san. Nakamura-san was published in the papers due to getting arrested for illegal street drifting in Minou, just north of Osaka. Dino Dalle Carbonare from Speedhunters stated at the Tokyo Autosalon; “The big news at the show yesterday was that Naoki Nakamura of Team Burst was once again arrested for illegal street drifting. At the same time the sentencing from a previous offense came through, consisting of a two-year driver’s license suspension and a pretty hefty fine. Upon hearing this, the D1 Corporation instantly banned him indefinitely from competing in D1 Grand Prix and D1 Street Legal. Today, some of the D1 Corporation people headed over to the D-Max stand where his cars are on display and removed his name from both, along with the D1 windscreen banners.” I do feel sorry for Nakamura-san, he is by far one of my favourite drivers throughout Japan and definitely one of the top drivers. It’s such a shame he will be deleted from the D1 division all together
“I wanted to practice” Nakamura stated. What a badass. I’d give anything in the world to see this man slide up the hills of Osaka.
I wish all the best for Nakamura. Hopefully this all blows over soon enough and I hope to see him banging it off the wall at Meihan alongside the other members from Team Burst in early May this year.

January 7th, 2011

The only statics I shot of Nakamura-san at the final round of D1 Street Legal 2010.