Event: Saskatchewan Drift Matsuri Day 1

So we come to day 1 of our drifting extravaganza.  After tech yesterday everyone stuffed themselves and got relatively intoxicated at “Regina Ramada’s pub”.  Once everyone awoke, they gathered their tools, parts and cars and made their way out to the the track for the first day of drifting!

Upon arrival,  everyone started to set up their pits, assembling and disassembling their cars and getting ready.  Little by little the cars made their way onto the track and began to get to know the very tight and technical track that is, 3 Flags.

So everyone is out and starting to get into the groove,  putting down a few runs.  Everything seemed to be going great, until we all started to wonder about these terrible looking clouds moving over us.  Everyone of course put those thoughts aside and continued to do what they had set out to do,  destroy tires!  And then all of the sudden…  BOOM… it started to rain…

And rain…

And rain…

But of course,  being the dedicated enthusiasts that they were,  they put the cold pouring rain out of their minds and continued to drift,  the only difference besides the pavement being extremely slippery, was that everyone was saving tires.  So everyone lined up and was back at it!

And of course with these new wet and slippery conditions, came the endless dirt drops and off course mishaps.  This is where our amazing sponsor “Fountain Tire, Henderson Dr.” came in.  Pulling car after car out of the muck.  Not to mention changing tires and helping with issues.

The average drift car is usually not in the best cosmetic shape, but is usually relatively clean.  It was neat to see everyone’s prized possessions covered in mud and dirt, looking like rally cars.  Some of the cars had mud in their fenders, in the suspension, in the wheel dish, just everywhere.  I felt bad for the drivers, they will be cleaning their cars for days.  Never the less it was still a blast and I think everyone thought it was worth it.

Everybody was still having a good time, despite not being able to drive all out, and despite having to fix things that broke in the pouring rain.  But the rain was steadily getting worse and worse.  This is the main reason I took so little action shots,  the weather just made it impossible.  But as the day went on everybody was starting to get irritated with this weather.  It just wasn’t how the weekend was supposed to go!  But what can you expect with a Saskatchewan May long.

So as the day was drawing to a close and the weather was growing into a storm.  We noticed the track was starting to get pretty beat up,  it was just not designed for a full day of rain drifting.

So with that in mind and also the fact the rain was now falling with some serious force,  we were thinking we would have to end the day a little early.  Luckily we managed to get the last half hour of driving in.  And with a flash of lighting and no visibility to drive with anyway, the day had come to a close.  Everyone took refuge in the track’s club house, for warmth and a recap of the day.

So despite being soaked to the bone, everyone’s spirits were high from a day of doing what they love.  Everyone packed up and headed back to Regina.  After a full day of driving and horrible weather, would they sleep?  Absolutely not.  They would eat and drink til the early hours of the morning… I don’t know how these guys do it.  I tried to stay up but eventually had to head to bed, anticipating a day of no rain and unreal driving.

Stay tuned for Day 2!!