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Well, You are officially the very first Interview for DriftGirl.org!! Ryan was really cool when I first approached him to be interviewed...I'm sure the unmarked bills helped as well.... J/K!! Tell us how you got started? In drifting? Well I accidentally discovered drifting when I was working at the Bondurant School. When you are an instructor at the school you have to find ways to keep yourself entertained. After a period of time you get tired of "grip" driving so you challenge yourself to drive the entire 15 turn 1.5 mile track completely sideways or drifting. Now, I had been doing this since I had been working there, but I did not know it was called "drifting". One day I had a student from Japan, and I was finishing an exercise and I started doing this sideways action. To my amazement the student started yelling in his best broken English "Oh you professional drifter!" I said "no, I am not a professional drifter I just do this for the pure enjoyment." I did not know this was a sport and he informed me that it was. I was very curious about this since I enjoyed it more than grip driving. So he sent over some Option videos and it was love a first sight. I then hit the internet and found out that they were starting events here in the US in 2001. It took me another year to find a car and I attended my first event in early 2003. Tell us about DA Well, Drift Alliance is a core group of drifters that was dreamed up by Tony Angelo. The members include myself, Chris Forsberg, Tony Angelo and JR (Vaughn Gittin jr.). What can I say about it other than we are a group of maniac drivers that love to Drift and even more so love to have fun no matter what we are getting into. Each of the drivers have there own personality and background which makes us a very diverse group however our lifestyles and attitudes are very alike which is what brings us together. I guess It is safe to say I am the “old guy” of the bunch and quite possibly the voice of reason….Well Maybe not……… Tell us about the other Motor sports that you've been a part of over the years: I have been very fortunate to have had a chance to drive several different types of cars. I have driven Indy cars, Prototype sports racer (ALMS/Grand-am), GT cars, Stocks Cars (NASCAR), Touring Cars, Rally Cars, and of course Drift Cars. I feel that for someone starting out they should drive as many cars as they can get their hands on. It will only teach you more about driving. What do you think about the new Drift series popping up all over? Will it helps or hurts the sport? I don’t think that there is enough infrastructure to support all the new series yet. There are just not enough people involved to warrant all the series popping up. If there are any more it will end up with a CART/IRL, ALMS/Grand-Am, or import drag racing scenario. There will be too many events and not enough spectators. The problem with drifting is everyone wants a piece of the pie, and no one has a solid enough foot hold yet. The drivers need to really back one series and stick with it. How do you feel about what's termed here in the states as "D1-Style"? Cars that can go from the track straight into a car-show with kits, custom paint, etc, etc. ??? I don’t think that it follows what a motor-sport should be. I don’t think a seriously prepped car can do both. In drifting cars are going to get torn up so financially I don’t think it is feasible. Besides yourself (and a handful of US drivers), How long do you think it will take the US to be on the level with Japanese drifters? I think it will take us a few more years. Remember, they have been doing this for a long time. I feel we can still learn a lot from them. Any other Drivers that you admire on the scene, Any you wanna punch?? Uh, you don't have to answer that ;) I admire Tanaguchi, he comes from a racing background, and he still drifts! I admire just about all the drifters at the top of the sport in Japan and here in the U.S. They all have talent! I haven’t met any I would like to punch out, give it some time… OK, Your Team is THE talk all over the Net with you guys hooking up with FALKEN, Congrats by the way!, but how did that come about? JR drove for Falken all last year and with that we (DA and Falken) all hung out a good amount throughout the season. Falken was very impressed with our driving as well as our overall personalities on and off the track and they felt that the rest of DA could be a great addition to the Falken force So they offered ME a full ride in the 180sx, JR the Mustang, Chris the s15 and Tony FD which we were stoked about. We are way excited to be driving on the same factory team and cant wait to add our skills and fun with this amazing factory team. DriftGirl.org is building 2 demo cars, One with SR20det and the other will feature KA-T. What are your thoughts on this growing debate between (KA vs SR) engine builders? I think more people should stick with the KA. Its simple bigger motor! You can get more Torque out of the KA, and the SR20 is getting to be harder to come by. Tell us about your S13: To tell you the truth I don’t know too much about the car yet other than I will have to shift with my left hand! I do know that the car was entirely built by Koguchi though, so there is no doubt in my mind it will be the best car I have driven. Do you get to drive it to the grocery store?...I would LoL!! I would too but the police might not appreciate it! Speaking of driving around... I got my first ticket for sliding around a corner not too long ago...got any tix?!? For drifting no, for driving too fast, Many! My license was suspended when I was 17 for too many tickets. Every good racecar driver I know has had their license suspended for driving fast. Hell of a roll model aren’t we? LoL!! We all gotta start someplace!! ;) Mistakes are made, we pay for em', learn from it, and move on...Life So What does your family think of all this 'Drifting stuff'?? My family is actually very supportive of it, and my dad loves it! I think most parents should support drifting it will keep your kids out of trouble and keep them working on their cars! So, where do you see yourself in 5yrs? Hopefully making enough money to support myself through drifting! What else would anyone want? I hope that this sport grows in the right direction and that we have the ability to truly get paid! Where do you expect the sport of Drifting to be in 5yrs? Refer to previous question. No just kidding, I hope the sport is still around and still growing. I think that people need something fresh in motor-sports, and this is the answer! Where can we see the team kick ass in 2005? Any trips to Japan Planned? All around the country! The trips to Japan I am not at liberty to say yet, but we will get there soon! Finally, Any props you wanna give to friends, family ....Sponsors ;) ? I would like to thank everyone….Sounds vague huh? No seriously, everyone in this sport so far, have been the best people I have had the privilege to meet in this world. Never have I seen a group of people so willing to help each other out! And I do mean that from the bottom of my heart. Sound like a Stevie Wonder song? 2Pac, Male or Female you are a big influence on the scene as a whole and I'd like to thank you for being a part of DRIFTGIRL.ORG!! No problem and the pleasure is all mine! Good luck on the site and look forward to talking to you again! Thank you, Ryan Hampton
Visit Ryan @
http://www.ryanhampton.net
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