Ahh finally a dicussion without disrespect or name calling.
Well, where should I start. I find it very hard to believe a car with multiple D1GP victories (most if not all N/A 4AG engines) can be labeled uncompetitive. There are 3 ae86 in the top 15 in D1 points this year(Yoshioka 5th, Ueo 10th and Hayashi 12th). Ueo as we all know won his championship in a N/A ae86. I might be wrong as far I can remember the ae86 has scored atleast one victory since D1 started or close to that mark. You have to see that the ae86 is competitive everywhere that drifting is big(Japan, USA, Maylasia, UK, etc).
A good example and is in that vid is the Maylasian ae86 driver who took out Gittin in the Mustang and did very well, Tengku Djan. In the USA theres an newcomer to D1GP John Rusakoff in the baby blue ae86, who did very well for probably being the most underpowered car there with I believe 160ps. The most notable USA 86 driver is Taka Aono. He is the best USA 86 drifter but there's just something his missing for him to have more of impact like other 86 drivers from Japan mainly, better tires would help him out a lot.
Some will say they spent tons of money to make them competitive. Well, it takes money period to build a competitive race car but not that much in the ae86 case. It reminds me of Gen Terasaki(Blk Levin hatch w/ bronze volks) a very competitive 86 in D1GP in a car that was Terasaski's daily driver at one time and I would consider it more a hardcore street car than full blown race car. When he competed in D1GP for a good amount of time the car had full interior, one racing bucket seat, stock passanger seat, no aftermarket gauges, rear seats taken off, rear carpets taken off, stock oil cooler and radiator and some sound deading material was taken off. Of Course he had nicely built engine and tuned suspension but thats a given.
Now about my performance at the Ter-Tech event. Well, seeing how I only had about 2-3months, if that much of total drifting experiance ever I don't think I did that bad. The other 86 driver had even less time than me. I know you guys hear this a lot but the 86 is not the easiest car to learn how to drive at its limits. Just compare the in-car footage of a highly skilled ae86 driver and just about any other driver in a different make car in D1. It's a car that rewards proper technique and punishes any little mistake, I'm still in the beginning stages of drifting so I make more mistakes that I get punished for
. I would say the major problems I had were nerves because it was my first event and my initiation points were off because of very low power(stock engine) and just plain my fault. I don't have the luxury of power/torque and very early entry. I have to use momentum and proper suspension tuning to drift efficiently(thats why I had the aftermarket suspension). I don't consider it a handicap, just a different stlye/technique. I always joked around with people that power is the handicap, many people start to rely on it and not proper technique that can make your driving skill improve.
Now Hayashi(red 86 that started drifting from the middle of the bank) was not the best 86 of that weekend that honor would go to. . .who else but Ueo(this comes from where he placed at both D1 USA events). If you see his entry to Hayashi's its way later. Why? Like I said before momentum is the key. I would say the most important thing in drifting Irwindale is coming off the bank going towards the infield and thats were the 86 shines and becomes very competitive to the higher Hp cars. Its just a different technique. If the car was uncompetitve no one would bother using them.
The reason you might not see many high level 86 drifters is because of small about of cars made compared to the S-chassis cars, RX-7s and others. Whoever honestly has a passion for racing/drifting the ae86 is in it to become an overall great driver and of course win, not a smoke machine, high power monster. It's a drivers car not much flash but when you drive one it's a very fun car to drive.Takes a little longer to perfect than most but the payoff is well worth it. Ok I'm done, my fingers hurt
PS HACHIS OWN BECAUSE THE DRIFT KING LIKES IT! :laugh: :bigthumbu