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Round 5 of D1 Grand Prix was held at Autoplis (Police Auto Facility) in Oita Prefecture, Japan. Daigo Saito and the Fnatz JZX100 Toyota Chaser took first place. Next D1GP drift event is August 30 and 31 at Ebisu Circuit.

D1GP Japan Round 5 Top Ten:

1. Daigo Saito - Fnatz JZX100 Toyota Chaser
2. Ken Nomura - Blitz ER34 Nissan Skyline
3. Masato Kawabata - Nissan 180SX
4. Yoichi Imamura - Boss S15 Nissan Silvia
5. Kazuhiro Tanaka - Team Orange GDB Subaru Impreza
6. Masao Suenaga - Mazda RX-7
7. Kuniaki Takahashi - Goodyear JZX100 Toyota Chaser
8. Nobushige Kumakubo - YUKE, ORC, Cusco, Team Orange CT9A Mitsubishi Lancer EVO
9. Atsushi Kuroi - Toyo S13 Nissan Silvia
10. Tsuyoshi Tezuka - Goodyear BNR32 Nissan Skyline

D1GP Japan Overall Points Rankings:

1. Daigo Saito - Toyota Mark II JZX100 (85 points)
2. Ken Nomura - Blitz, Dunlop ER34 Nissan Skyline (78 points)
3. Yoichi Imamura - Boss S15 Nissan Silvia (70 points)
4. Masao Suenaga - RE Amemiya, Trust, Toyo FD3S Mazda RX-7 (64 points)
5. Tsuyoshi Tezuka - Goodyear BNR32 Nissan Skyline (60 points)
6. Masato Kawabata - Nissan 180SX (54 points)
7. Kazuhiro Tanaka - Team Orange GDB Subaru Impreza (47 points)
8. Atsushi Kuroi - Toyo S13 Nissan Silvia (44 points)
9. Takahiro Ueno - JZZ30 Toyota Soarer (43 points)
10. Toshiki Yoshioka - DRoo-P UZZ40 Lexus SC430 (42 points)

Burnouts are traditionally used to warm up a car’s tires before a drag race. Warming up the tires makes the rubber softer increasing traction and also cleans the tires of road debris like gravel – further increasing traction. Slicks or drag radials are needed for a burnout to have noticeable results on the track, as burnouts using street tires do little more than make smoke and destroy rubber.

Burnouts occur when engine power overcomes the tires’ ability to maintain traction with the ground and use of the brakes keep the car from moving forward. Friction between the tires and road surface melts the rubber causing smoke. Drag race tracks typically have a “burnout box” in the staging area where water is sprayed on the ground to help facilitate burnouts. This is the only place on the track where water is permitted and drivers are instructed to first drive around the puddle and then reverse until only the rear wheels meet the water. Keeping the track dry is a major safety concern. Although a burnout is more of an art than science, there is a technology that can make burnouts easier in rear wheel drive cars - a line lock.

A burnout in a car without limited slip differential is known as a “one tire fire” as only one tire spins. When doing a burnout in a FF car, apply the e-brake since it only affects the rear brakes and will help keep the car stationary. If your car has traction control, turn it off before doing a burnout. Oil or bleach can be used on tires to enhance a burnout or allow an underpowered vehicle to perform a burnout.

Burnout Warnings:

• Never rev the engine and “pop” an automatic transmission into gear, as this can destroy your gearbox. Revving the engine in neutral and jamming it into gear will damage your transmission. Instead, leave the car in Drive, hold the brake (left foot) and rev the engine (right foot) at the same time, then let the brake go.
• You can break an axle doing a burnout.
• You can destroy a clutch doing a burnout incorrectly.
• You can destroy an engine by redlining.

How to do a burnout in FF car:

Manual Transmission Front Wheel Drive Cars

1. Apply e-brake.
2. Put the car in first gear.
3. Rev engine around 4,000 RPM.
4. Dump the clutch.
5. Wheels spin.
6. Manage RPMs and watch out for redline! If you need to shift, do it! It’s called “grabbing gears” and you’ll need to know how to do this to pull off successful donuts.
7. To stop burnout release e-brake and ease off gas.

Automatic Transmission Front Wheel Drive Cars

1. Apply e-brake.
2. Put car in Drive.
3. Heavy on brake pedal (left foot) and Rev engine around 4,000 RPM (right foot).
4. Release brake pedal.
5. Wheels spin.
6. Manage RPMs.
7. To stop burnout release e-brake and ease off gas.

How to do a burnout in FR car:

Manual Transmission Rear Wheel Drive Cars

1. Put the car in first gear.
2. Rev engine around 4,000 RPM.
3. In one quick motion, “dump” the clutch and press the brake pedal (left foot) while flooring the gas (right foot).
4. Wheels spin.
5. Manage RPMs and brake pressure. The idea is to keep the car still with the brake pedal (left foot) and apply enough horsepower (right foot) to break traction in the rear wheels. Perhaps this aspect of performing a burnout is the hardest – adjusting brake pressure to keep the car motionless while allowing the rear wheels to spin is known as “feathering” or pumping the brakes.
6. To stop burnout ease off gas.

Automatic Transmission Rear Wheel Drive Cars

1. Apply brake pedal (left foot).
2. Put the car in Drive.
3. Keep holding the brakes (left foot) and floor the gas (right foot).
4. Manage RPMs and brake pressure. Again the idea is to apply enough brake pressure (left foot) to keep the car motionless and enough gas (right foot) to keep the tires spinning.
5. To stop burnout ease off gas.

Rollbacks:

A rollback is a burnout performed on an incline. This gives an underpowered car a chance to smoke the tires – thanks gravity!

Manual Transmission Rollback

1. Find a hill.
2. Put the car in first gear.
3. Clutch.
4. Let car roll backwards down the hill.
5. Rev engine.
6. Pop the clutch.
7. Wheels spin.
8. Manage RPMs.
9. To stop burnout ease off gas.

Line locks are designed to let the front and rear brakes work independently of one another. A line lock is a solenoid-activated valve that controls the flow of brake fluid. It is placed between the master cylinder and the brake calipers. A switch or button inside the car controls the line lock solenoid. Line locks are used in drag racing for burnouts and allow the front brakes to lock up while not affecting the rear brakes - allowing the rear tires to spin freely. Line locks protect the engine and rear brakes from undue wear.

When line locks first came out they were used as a launch tool for drag racing, but when trans brakes came out they became the better option. Now days, line locks are pretty much exclusively used for burnouts.

A line lock can work one of two ways: 1. Keep brake fluid from leaving the front brake lines, 2. Block brake fluid from reaching the rear brake lines.

When used in the first example that keeps brake fluid from leaving the front calipers, the line lock is placed on the brake line heading to the front brakes. Apply the brakes and press (hold) the line lock button. By holding the button the valve stays closed keeping the brake fluid trapped in the front calipers. Now you can release the brake pedal and the car will remain stationary as long as you hold the button – leaving the rear wheels free to spin.

In the second example of blocking brake fluid from reaching the rear lines, the line lock is placed on the brake line heading to the rear brakes. When you push the line lock button, and hold it, the solenoid closes the valve to the rear brakes, so when you do apply the brake pedal, fluid can only travel to the front brakes leaving the rear wheels free to spin. Installed in this fashion, you have more control over brake pressure and can creep forward toward the end of your burnout by slowly releasing the brake pedal.

Due to a disappointing spring season, NOPI Motorsports, LLC has suspended operations for the summer and fall 2008 seasons. This includes cancellation of the NOPI Drift Series, NOPI Drag Racing Series, and the NOPI Nationals Motorsports Supershow. Unfavorable weather conditions and a weak US economy are listed as reasons for a lackluster spring season.

“This is a reflection of the economic times in which we currently live,” reads NOPI’s press release. “This affects everyone and companies, at all levels, and NOPI Motorsports is no different. We understand the position this puts everyone in and we hope you can find in your heart to work with us through this terrible time.”

In light of NOPI’s financial woes, the company is restructuring and hopes to continue NOPI events in the future.

Formula Drift has announced the Formula D World Championship, in association with Red Bull energy drink, for November 15, 2008. The event will feature 32 of the world’s best drifters and will take place at the Port of Long Beach in California. There is no confirmed list of drifters yet, so whether or not they are the “best” drifters in the world is undetermined.

“Formula DRIFT has worked over the last five years to bring the drifting world closer together via our partnered events in Singapore and Mexico as well as our open door/open dialogue with the top professional drifting leagues from each corner of the world. We are excited to be able to team up with Red Bull to bring the world together and stage the toughest competition with the best drivers,” says Jim Liaw, President and Co-Founder of Formula Drift.

Drifters from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, North America, and Europe are scheduled to compete for the largest prize purse ever offered at a drift event – although the amount is undisclosed at this point??

“It is an exciting time for the sport of drifting,” says Rhys Millen, 2005 Formula Drift Champion. “I’m proud to be flying the Red Bull colors heading into the Red Bull Drifting World Championship.”

North America’s Formula Drift division will manage the organization, co-promotion, and judging for the World Championship event. Judging will be based on current Formula Drift rules and may feature two international judges. Hopefully one of the international judges will be Keiichi Tsuchiya.

Japanese drifter Toshiki Yoshioka took first place driving his Toyota Corolla AE86 at round 4 of Formula Drift in Las Vegas, NV. Fellow Japanese driver Daijiro Yoshihara took second in the Pontiac GTO and Swedish drifter Samuel Hubinette finished third in a Dodge Viper. Another notable finish is that of Japanese drifting star Manabu Orido who made it to the Great 8 - Orido traveled from Japan to compete.

The more popular drifting becomes in North America, the more Japanese drift stars are going to start competing. Japan is the undeniable leader in drifting motorsports, so there is little incentive to leave the island to race. If drifting motorsports continue to flourish in North America, you can bet more Japanese drifters are going to be on the podium. Next Formula Drift event is August 9 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA.

2008 Formula Drift Round 4 Results:

1. Toshiki Yoshioka – Toyota Corolla AE86
2. Daijiro Yoshihara – Pontiac GTO
3. Samuel Hubinette – Dodge Viper
4. Michihiro Takatori – R34 Nissan Skyline

Formula Drift Overall Points Standings:

Tanner Foust - Nissan 350Z (321 points)
Sam Hubinette - Dodge Viper (313 points)
Daijiro Yoshihara - Pontiac GTO (308 points)
Chris Forsberg - Nissan 350Z (282 points)
Michihiro Takatori - R34 Nissan Skyline (265 points)
(Tied for 6) Ryan Tuerck - Pontiac Solstice (254 points)
(Tied for 6) Rhys Millen - Pontiac Solstice GXP
Vaughn Gittin Jr. - Ford Mustang (182.25 points)
Conrad Grunewald - Chevrolet Corvette (173.25 points)
Darren McNamara - Saturn Sky (172 points)

Japanese drifting star Manabu “Max” Orido is scheduled to compete in Round 4 of Formula Drift at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada. Manabu Orido was one of the original D1 Grand Prix judges and shares a similar racing background with fellow D1 Grand Prix judge Drift King Keiichi Tsuchiya.

Orido and Tsuchiya both started their racing careers in illegal underground street races and then progressed to professional racing motorsports. Much of Orido’s fame comes from being a D1GP judge and the fact that he is one of the only drivers to use a Toyota Supra in drift competitions. Manabu Orido has been successful in the JGTC series and his appearance in popular import racing videos like Best Motoring, Video Option, and Hot Version keep him in the JDM spotlight.

Drifters know how important coil over shocks are to a drift car’s set-up and now Yashio Factory is introducing their own coil overs for the Nissan Silvia. Yashio Factory is known for their Silvia tuning prowess and the Spec Great coil over shocks are sure not to disappoint. After a test drive with the new coil overs, Okachan is quoted saying the new shocks are “Unbelievable!”

2 coil over types available: PS13 and S14/15. Front spring rate: PS13 type 8kg. S14/15 type 9kg. Rear spring rate: PS13 type 5kg. S14/15 type 5 kg. Regular price for both PS13 and S14/15 coil overs: $1850.00 USD/set (198,000 JPY).

Yoichi Imamura (2003 D1GP Champion) wins Round 4 of D1 Grand Prix drifting the Boss sponsored S15 Nissan Silvia. Yoichi Imamura is on a winning streak after winning Day 2 of the Tokyo Drift in Odaiba event. Next D1GP event is Round 5 August 2 and 3 at Autoplis (Police Auto Facility) in Oita Prefecture.

D1GP Japan Round 4 Top Ten:

1. Yoichi Imamura - Boss S15 Nissan Silvia
2. Tomokazu Hirota - Toyota Verossa JZX110
3. Tetsuya Hibino - Toyota Corolla Levin AE86
4. Daigo Saito - Toyota Mark II JZX100
5. Masao Suenaga - RE Amemiya, Trust, Toyo FD3S Mazda RX-7
6. Ken Nomura - Blitz, Dunlop ER34 Nissan Skyline
7. Akinori Utsumi - Nissan Silvia PS13
8. Yoshinori Koguchi - Koguchi Power Nissan 180SX
9. Kazuhiro Tanaka - Subaru Impreza GDB
10. Takahiro Ueno - JZZ30 Toyota Soarer

D1GP Japan Overall Points Rankings:

Daigo Saito - Toyota Mark II JZX100 (59 points)
Ken Nomura - Blitz, Dunlop ER34 Nissan Skyline (57 points)
(Tied for 3) Yoichi Imamura - Boss S15 Nissan Silvia (53 points)
(Tied for 3) Tsuyoshi Tezuka - BNR32 Nissan Skyline
Masao Suenaga - RE Amemiya, Trust, Toyo FD3S Mazda RX-7 (51 points)
(Tied for 6) Toshiki Yoshioka - Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 (39 points)
(Tied for 6) Takahiro Ueno - JZZ30 Toyota Soarer
(Tied for 8) Yoshinori Koguchi - Koguchi Power Nissan 180SX (35 points)
(Tied for 8) Masato Kawabata - Nissan 180SX
(Tied for 8) Atsushi Kuroi - S13 Nissan Silvia

Jay Leno is known for being an automotive enthusiast and now he has a great website: JayLenosGarage.com that features videos of Jay discussing and driving cars from his awesome collection.

“I do it for free - there’s no money in it,” says Leno. “It’s great fun because it’s like sitting with a bunch of car friends.”

In this episode Jay investigates the highly anticipated Nissan GT-R or as he calls it, ‘the first ever Japanese supercar.’