Slide or Die!!!!

Well I had the chance to shoot the opening event for DG Trials this year in Nashville Tennessee. The event took place at Nashville Super Speedway. It was a blast, not only was this my first drift event it was also my first time shooting any kind of motorsports in action. Most of the time the cars are still and I walk around them. This time the story was a bit different. The cars were dancing around the track and putting on a show, nothing like the smell of burnt rubber and spent leaded fuel.

I had the chance to talk to a few of the guys and they were all very nice, they all had stories about how one time or another they had busted something, may it be an axle from the extreme conditions, or going off track and having a sideskirt grab the apex. These cars all had their own personality, from missing front bumpers, to huge intercoolers, and wild paint jobs. It was incredible.

The first apex seamed to be the trickiest corner of the day, as it was a tight 180 degree turn. It required a fast approach with a steep angle of attack. It took a long time to master, even for the novices and professionals.

Cones were thrown, rocks were chunked, and tires were blown. It was like independence day with all the noise that was occurring. This was an all day event with just a few participators, so everyone got plenty of runs in. I for one even got a chance to get sideways with a good pal, yoshi, who has been driving for some time. This was my first time riding in his s13, which was prepared just right for the event.

My partner, James Evins, took the above photograph of Yoshi and I sliding around the track. You would think that you are going to be beat up to death but it felt like I was in a ballet with my dance shoes on. It was an orchestrated feeling, and we would just float through the corners. While yoshi’s car was mostly stock, there was many there that weren’t. From sr20’s to LS1 swaps, huge offsets, and stiff suspension, there was a little of everything out there.

Even this guy:

Unfortunately he would have to put the car back on the trailer early in the day due to a busted axel.

There were a few small happenings that happened through out the day. A car caught fire after his first run of the day, which was quickly put out. Many tires were gone through, and a S14 lost his motor due to rod knock. But no major collisions, so it was a very safe day.

A big thanks to all those that made it happen:

Nashville Super Speedway

Festive Garage

DG Trails

Look for more updates, as DG Trials will be putting on more events this year, and they will be posted on our calendar.

For more photo viewing click here.

Tags: Automobile Events, Drift Events // 1 Comment »