The night we drove 3 hours away from Tokyo to meetup with the LOWBRAIN crew who took us to some of their favourite touge in Kanto. Here is a shot of their most recent build, the Missile S14 powered by a naturally aspirated SR. Getting back into central Tokyo around 7:30am to sleep was totally worth it, more to come x

Selfish x

It has been a crazy 48 hours. We have finally woken up from a rest after 50+ hours without sleep, however it was all worth it! On Saturday night we travelled around Tokyo searching for a few meets and a bit of action. Sunday we headed to the Mooneyes show in Odaiba which took 2 hours to get to and was only 16km away from our hotel. Today we’re off to Nikko for a little track day. Stay tuned x

The deafening, smoggy late night streets of Nagoya back in 2011. 5 weeks 2 days x

Here is a photo of a Zenki S14 parked up at the local Lawsons in Nagoya prior to streeting. This was definitely one of my favourite cars from the night. Looking forward to showing you a clip of this thing driving.

I thought last my street drifting experience in Japan last year was good… Last night we headed to Nagoya and found 2 D1 S15’s, I won’t say much but let’s just say this wasn’t on a track but a Lawson convinnie. This was literally the best night of my 18 (almost 19) years of being alive. YES!

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.

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