We’re going to go ahead and say it: This is the best Pro-Am drifting has ever been. If you take a look at where some of the nation’s other top Pro-Am drifting series, like Golden Gate Drift or Southwest Drift, were five or six years ago, what you’d find is nothing like what you see here.
Top Drift Lives Up to Its Name
In its first round of competition in 2017, it is clear to see that Top Drift, as it's name suggests, is one of the top drifting competitions to be at. Drifting’s ever-growing popularity, aftermarket support and level of competition over the past several years has today yielded cars (sometimes trucks) and drivers that are more advanced and skillful than they have ever been — the Pro-Am competition that’s as fierce as ever!
The Big Guns Are Back
Last year saw some Top Drift regulars earn their licenses into the Formula D Pro 2 series, but not without some heated competition from challengers biting at their heels. Today those challengers are back and hungry to reach the next level for themselves.
Sean Adriano no doubt topped the list of eligible contenders in everyone’s mind coming into 2017, after earning a third-place championship standing in last year’s competition and very narrowly losing a few key battles that might’ve had him in first. His #562 Rival Auto Works / Designcraft S13 Nissan 240SX remained largely unchanged from how he drove it last year, but having earned the top qualifier spot and the overall win in this first round, it’s clear that he’s fully grown into it.
Plenty of last year’s big names came out in force for Round 1 including Luke Pakula and his #714 red S14 Nissan 240SX, Rome Charpentier and his #17 green E36 BMW, Shaun Doom and his #213 white S13, Alex Grimm and his #14 “Captain America” S30 Nissan 240Z, and Aaron Parker and his #300 FD3S Mazda RX-7. If you thought Aaron looks familiar, you might be right, as he's a regular working in the pits at the Formula D Pro series, including last year with fan favorite and Nitto Tire driver "Mad" Mike Whiddett. Many had either upgraded or re-tuned machines that looked like something we’d expect more from a Pro 2 field than Pro-Am. Impressive.
New Challengers Emerge
Adriano came into competition last year virtually unknown, and after a lackluster start at Round 1, finished high in each additional round and threatened to take the whole darned thing. Assuming that role this year appears to be 15-year-old Dom Martinez, who — after a lackluster qualifying performance — dominated his side of the competition ladder and took second place at the first round from behind the wheel of his formidable V8-powered #15 Kouki S14 240SX. Do you remember your driving at age 15, or learning how to drive?
An off-track jaunt late in the game almost cut short his chances for podium glory and hinted that the young gun may still have some experience to find behind the wheel, but his driving exuded raw talent, and his car appeared absolutely solid. He’ll be one to watch out for.
Also impressive was "Rad" Jeff Le and his #122 JZA80 Toyota Supra. If there was a spirit award handed out at this round, Le would’ve earned it with his beaming optimism and all-around good vibes. His driving had noticeably improved since last year, and since his Rad Industries-built Supra is definitely a whole lot of car, we’re betting with a little more seat time he’ll pose a solid competition threat in his own right.
And then there’s Margaritis Katsanidis and his #75 twin-turbo, V8-powered, Alfa Romeo 75. The unique Greek duo might not have had the best season-opening performance, but looked strong nonetheless and only left us wanting more!
New Balcony Configuration
In a move that showed they recognize their competitors' increasing skills, Top Drift management decided to change their Balcony layout this year, stretching Turn 2 out all the way to the wall and giving competitors three chances to either wow fans and judges with wall taps or lose rear bumpers in the process. There’s no word yet if changes will be seen in subsequent rounds, but this was great to see at Round 1.
Anyone’s Game
After a well-deserved win by the odds-on favorite and an impressive threat from a young upstart — as well as a harsh first round for some big names that eliminated them before competition even began — we’re reminded that 2017 Top Drift competition is still very much anyone’s game. Round 2 kicks off at the end of July, and by the end of August we’ll finally know the names of next year’s FD Pro 2 challengers and who will look good for the promotion next time around. As always, stay with us for continued coverage, and visit www.justdrift.com for more information.
