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Gymkhana is a timed automotive obstacle course. Similar to autocross, gymkhana events use traffic cones to outline the track and racers take turns trying to secure the fastest lap time possible. Gymkhana courses have short straightaways and complicated technical sections that feature figure eights, specially marked cones that require a driver to reverse through them, and parking boxes that require drivers to slide into them.  Drifting technique is used to save drivers precious seconds. Gymkhana places emphasis on car handling and driver skill instead of horsepower.

D1 Grand Prix officials announced February 10 that the 2008 D1 Grand Prix USA Season has been canceled due to scheduling conflicts with the D1GP Japan series.

“Due to issues and timing from the Japan series, the D1 Grand Prix USA series is being cancelled for the 2008 year. After a successful championship event last November at Irwindale Speedway, we vigorously attempted to launch the 2008 U.S. series but have been unable to due to Japan’s delay on decisions and their focus on the Japan series. Our goal is to continue elevating and expanding the drift culture to the world. But at this time the official word from Japan is to focus on the Japan series for 2008. D1 Grand Prix apologizes for the series cancellation in the U.S. and plans to return the series next year” – D1 Grand Prix.

Unfortunately, this is not the first scheduling conflict D1GP has faced in North America. Last year in 2007, the D1 Grand Prix USA season saw several cancellations including the season opener (Read More).

Even though the 2008 season is canceled, D1 Grand Prix is expected to produce the “All Star World Championship” drift event in November at Irwindale Speedway. Last year this event brought the best US and Japanese drifters together for an exciting competition in which Vaughn Gittin Jr. took first place. Let’s hope Japan’s number one drifting event comes back to North America.

A blow off valve, BOV for short, is a vacuum or electronically actuated pressure release valve present in engines with turbochargers. Blow off valves release excess boost into the atmosphere when the throttle is closed. The purpose of a blow off valve is to reduce turbo lag and protect the engine from compressor surge.

Compressor surge occurs when the throttle plate of a turbocharged engine closes and the pressurized air is forced back into the turbocharger compressor housing, causing the turbo to slow down. Compressor surge not only decreases the spool of a turbo but can also damage its center cartridge.

When a blow off valve vents compressed air, it emits a distinctive “pfsssst” sound. Some blow off valves are designed to amplify this sound with trumpet shaped vents. HKS produces BOVs with interchangeable “sound inserts” that allow the driver to customize the frequency emitted by the blow off valve.