If you’re keeping score, there have been nine Drift Union Invitational events. And if I’m keeping score, I’ve been to six out of nine. With that in mind, I have to be careful what I say because at this point I run a high risk of repeating myself.
So instead of starting with my usual pro-Drift Union Invitational hypothesis, let’s start with a question: “Am I over DUI?”
This was a comment/question that was made in passing about me at this year’s event. I suppose I could see why the person would think that. I mean, I do have plenty of opinions on most things drift.
The community at these events has substantially changed over the years. There was a point when I knew everyone and now I only know some of the people. Many of my friends who used to drive don’t anymore. Some of them who don’t drive still show up to the event, but watching them not drive is weird. Probably just as weird as it is for them to not be driving.
It’s very easy to romanticize the past when you get older. For example: I firmly believe that DUI 2013 was the greatest DUI event of all time and I challenge anyone to prove me wrong!
So, am I over DUI? Well, anyone who knows anything about me knows the answer is obviously no. The Drift Union Invitational is a real “dance with the one who brung you” type situation for me. That is to say that DUI has probably had the biggest hand in not only shaping DODOlogic, but probably my existence in the car world.
The organized chaos that is DUI is why the Hotboyz formed. Had they not formed, I probably wouldn’t have many of the friends I have today, nor would I have had traveled to some of the more “FOMO inducing internet events” I’ve been to. Those events had a role to play in my overall perception of drift, but it all started with DUI.
Furthermore (I say this every year), DUI is a solid proving ground for any wannabe drifter in western Canada. It’s very much a trial by fire, but if a driver can sort it out at DUI at Penticton, they’ll probably be able to hold their own at any other worthwhile grassroots event.
So yes, I’m much older than I was when Shawn Browne first started this event, but that doesn’t make me like it any less. In fact, I’m just as thankful for these events as I was back in 2011.
What do you think? Do you agree or are you over DUI?
