Driving Sports D1 team Invades Europe!

Published : 13/06/2008 11:51:45

Driving Sports D1 Team Invades Europe

Interview with K-san


With many Japanese drifters now taking an interest in the European drift scene, one man stands out from the rest with his active involvement in the UK community. Mr.Kawabata from Driving Sports Japan has set upon shipping a car out to the UK to compete within JDM all-stars, we couldn’t not find out why......

 

JDM: Ohayo gosimasu Kawabata san, Yuroshiku Onegaishimasu! Drifting has now been going on a long time outside of Japan, but now is the time for Japanese drivers to challenge the world on a ground level, why is it now the time

K-San: Starting off with a tough question, laugh. Really want to see how the UK/Europe scene is as I’ve heard it’s really taking off and want to be part of the first wave of Japanese drifters coming over.

 

JDM: Obviously you have been drifting a long time now, could you tell how Driving Sports was set-up and how you fell in love with drifting

K-San: I’ve been in the racing scene a long time now and was originally a 250cc A license rider and was told that another year on I had a good chance at breaking through to world scene. However, one of the top bike riders
in Japan at the time switched to drifting and become very well known and thought if he can do it, so can I. lol.D.S.Then I was fixing and tuning my own car which moved on to fixing other drivers cars and continued on from there.

 

JDM: As a drift tuning shop in Japan, what are you main goals and what direction do you customers take In the UKmany drifters do the work themselves, is the same in Japan

K-San: Hmmmm, I really enjoy building and tuning interesting drift cars that identify with the owner’s tastes, ability and wishes. Probably about 25 of drivers work on their own cars, the rest use shops. The main problem with home jobs (although enjoyable and fundamental in gaining knowledge) is that due to mistakes, the end result is often more expensive than going to a pro-shop.

 

JDM: A lot of drivers we see in videos from Japan hide their identities, is drifting still seen as a taboo in Japan How does it affect you as a person in day to day life

K-San: I guess you’re referring to touge, as drifting is quite a recognized sport here now. In the early days, due to the lack of places to run legally, drivers might hide their identity.

 

JDM: Could you explain to us a little about the difference in Japanese tuning and what you see from European tuning It’s known that simple things such as orange indicators from Europe and the American seppukon style
become popular in Japan also; do you find it strange that Japanese style is now copied world wide

K-San: Not so sure about Europe yet but Japanese drivers probably balance power with overall car set up whereas abroad seems to be more emphasis on pure power.

 

JDM: Its known to us that you have also chosen to run Driftworks adjustable arms, what made you chose a European part over the more available Japanese ones Is this a style que


K-San: In Japan, full arm type parts are pretty much limited to Ikeya Formula. I was one of the first to use the Ikeya set-up and help fine tune the original product and when I came across the DW product I wanted to compare the 2 products. TBH, the quality of both products is inseparable.

 

JDM: A question that we are sure is on the minds of many people importing cars from Japan. Japanese tuning is know to be of the highest level, however, what’s with the crazy wiring you guys send us over

K-San: Laughing....maybe the Japanese are great mechanics but maybe not so concerned about electrics lol.....

 

JDM: On a more serious note, your coming to compete with some of the best drivers in Europe Do any of these drivers stand out to you and how do you think you will do at the events Which techniques do you think will be the most powerful against European drivers

K-San: Hard question as looking at recent clips many drivers are showing great skills. Of course, Phil and Darren are right up there as are others like Ffrenchy. I don’t want to name anyone in particular BUT look forward to seeing for myself. Please ask me this question again ina few months!

 

JDM: Now that you will be driving outside of Japan, do you hope that this will encourage more Japanese drivers and teams to do the same Would you like to see UK drivers competing in Japan also and how do you think this new integration will effect the future of drifting

K-San: The question is, would you like to see Japanese drivers here, lol Just happy to see the drift scene grows worldwide. Would definitely like to see UK/Europe drivers here in Japan!Integration has to be in the best interests of the sport worldwide.

 

JDM: On a final note, do you have some words of wisdom for the drifters around the world

K-San: Don’t focus on winning or losing. Japanese drifting was started by idiots wanting to have a good time, lol. Get out there and enjoy!

 

JDM: Thanks for your time Mr.Kawabata, we are greatly looking forwards to seeing you run in JDM All-stars very soon.
The best of luck to you on your great journey!

Big thanks to
Driving Sports
Mr Kawabata


Big thanks to the to the following people

Graham Murray - for pointing us in the right direction and believing in us when others didn’t
JDM Garage (Norway) - Massive support and thanks for seeing us through the good times and the bad. Blood
Severnside Imports(UK) Julian - same as above. Incredible support and amazing understanding.
You da man
Driftworks - Again, major support here with many "issues" and amazing insight and coolness.
Team Aero-K (Florida) - keep it rocking state side. Family
the drift community for patience and understanding.Couldn`t have done it alone
JDM All-stars - for being so welcoming and help make this all happen

A celebration of drift!
You all Rock!
Look forward to seeing you soon.
Get shideways

Cheers,
Skay Ltd and Kawabata san, Driving Sports

 

Driving Sports Nissan S15


1999
5sp
SR21DET
TD06-25G (plus exhaust/intake)
Cams: HKS 272/272
Spring/Valves: Naprec
Headgasket: Apex 1.2mm
Injectors: 850cc
Fuel pump: R33 GTR
HKS rush killer
Tomei shims
Tomei rocker arm stopper
Tomei 2.1 pistons
Tomei conrods
Trust surge tank
HKS fuel delivery
Rev Limit 9000RPM
Trust alum. radiator
Trust intercooler
Trust oil cooler
DS water spray
Clutch and flywheel: ORC super single
Nismo 2 way LSD
CPU HKS V-pro
Trust boost controller
Trust boost and water temp gauges
Nismo 320km odo
12 point roll cage
RYO Bride drivers and navigators seats
DS original steering wheel
RYO harness
RYO fr/rear coiloversTierods
URAS Tension rods
Driftworks Footwork
DW Fr/lower arms
DW Rr/lower arms
DWRr/upper arms
DWRear stabiliser
DS knuckles
Works 9 full aeroFenders
Works 9Wheels
Origin DNA2 17" 9.5J front and rear
Supermade roof and rear spoiler

 

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