By Ryan Benoit, DODOlogic
NissanFest 2016 has come and gone and with it came one very important revelation – or at least a pause for complex contemplation that’s much bigger than NissanFest. Ready for it? I’m beginning to think that Team Tandem is the future of drift.
Now, some of you may roll your eyes and say, “Of course it is. We’ve know it for years, just look at Final Bout, DUI…” Others may scoff at the idea that anything could replace head-to-head competition drifting. For the latter who think head-to-head is going to be the mainstay for drifting, let me just say that you’re wrong – or at the very least, I hope you are.
Allow me to expand on this idea. I’ve been to Evergreen for many different types of drift events over the years, and the events based around team tandem have consistently been the best. NissanFest 2016 was no exception. I was overjoyed to see that event organizers had done away with the traditional head-to-head event and made this event a team tandem event.
Watching a group of three cars work together on the track is immensely more entertaining to watch than the typical horsepower battle that has taken over drift competitions. When proximity is a shared responsibility instead of the sole purpose of the follow car, it makes the event much more enjoyable as a spectator. 
It was nice that you didn’t have to worry about one car sandbagging another as an underhanded way to gain the lead, or having one car leave the other in the dust due to varying differences in builds.
In some ways, events like this take things back to when anyone could be a relevant drifter and it didn’t rely on your wallet. This theme was most obvious with Vancouver Island’s Husky Situation. In the past, the only time you’d see these guys off the Island was at DUI – the Drift Union Invitational. However, this year they took their Canadian show south of the border to Munroe, Wa. With a combined 600hp between three cars, they took home first place and put on an amazing show.
What was most impressive about this event was it made drifting at Evergreen interesting again. Over the past few years, these events became an exercise in technical experience for me. I had lost all interest in who won or lost. I pretty much just worried about capturing some interesting shots and all other event details faded in oblivion.
This year, I was actually interested to see who would win and I can actually tell you the team names of all the podium winners (Husky Situation, Daddy Day Care and Hit Squad).
By the end of the day, I found myself wondering if Formula D should take notice of what’s happening on a grassroots level. Is there enough versatility in their organization to capitalize on the growth of team tandem? I don’t really know the answer; I’m just a dude from Canada with a camera and a website. But in the name of keeping of drifting both fun and interesting, I think NissanFest took a step in the right direction – and from the crowd’s reaction, I think everyone agreed.
What are your thoughts? Feel free to agree, disagree or just say hello in the comments.
I don’t care if they didn’t podium. The Villains look awesome.
awesome write up man, good seeing you out there snapping pics. It was super exciting to hear the crowd roar!
I belive team tandem will be the next great chapter in drifting loved seeing the compitition go hand in hand at nissan fest it really shows that wroking together you can make something much better. Great write! I enjoyed reading this and the pictures are outstanding!
Hello
Very nice write up Dylan.
I personally believe the reason team ‘tandem’ is the future of drifting is a blatant scoff to the horsepower war driven aspects! Drifting was invented as a form of entertainment and fun. Sure you can make any hobby a “sport” worth competing in, however many people still believe in the soul of drifting!
The soul is more about friends and fun of sliding your car than it is who has the most money. It takes more skills collectively to keep 3-6 cars together in a fighter pilot configuration for 5+ turns.
You are right on the mark my friend! Outstanding article.
This is drifting on the island. For anyone in the drifting community that wants to see what a healthy, skilled grassroots, fun environment is like than you should come visit us! Or make the vacation to Penticton july 2/3 for DUI
My son drifts and he is one of the “Villains” but watching him tandem is so much more enjoyable and nail biting then just drifting! I enjoy watching him drift but the tandem drifting is more specialized, takes more control and the ability to work as a team. It keeps you on the edge of your seat!!! (It is kind of scary for a Mom to watch but I know my son is an awesome driver)
Nailed it man. Even as a driver, finalbout was great in the way that i was driving against teams i heard of and loved, but doing it with “our” flare. Tgere is no david and goliath effect. Horsepower didnt matter because i knew my bros driving and cars have been honed into my own.all that mattered was that we banded together as friends to participate in something, and to have left feeling like we shared our unique group amd homes artistic signature or mark, as every dedicated team develops over time. Its not about individual car, or person or skill. Its about banding together as friends and creating a synchronicity together. Which breeds a style, and a driving style, and really brings everyone together for memories.
Head to head drifting is exactly as it sounds. It pits people and sponsors against eachother and a lot gets lost in the translation of drifting and competition.
Team drifting is the same. It brings people together, to compete. Its kind of poetic really. And if you’ve been to a team tandem event, youll know what i mean.
Its encouraging to see a mother so involved and proud. Way to be, Suzanne!