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Formula Drift Hurricane Sandy Relief Drive
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| The final event I participated in was the Formula Drift Hurricane Sandy Relief Drive. This was a free event to participate in and drivers were allowed to just hang loose and have fun. Normally, when we're at Irwindale Speedway for FD, everyone is bound up, ready to explode with excitement in the final event at the “House of Drift.” This wasn't the case here. There were no judges, no real rules, just go out and have fun on the open track. |
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| Drivers like Justin Pawlak, Daijiro Yoshihara, Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis, Jeff Jones, and others showed up in their competition or demo cars to support Formula Drift's charity efforts. |
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| Proceeds went to the American Red Cross towards relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy. Considering the drivers who come out of the North East, they visit New Jersey's Wall Township Speedway, and how hard they were all hit; it was well worth the time and effort to assist those who needed it. |
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| Falken Tire was there in full support to change tires for anyone who needed it. They didn't even have to be on Falken tires to have their tires changed. This event was being done to help people in need, so there was no need to be stingy with the tire machine! |
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| The surprise, well, not really surprise, but the time and money that Danny George spent to do an event where he wouldn't be paid speaks volumes about the guy. He drove all the way out from Las Vegas and drove the V8 Crab Broker Miata like he was in singles competition! He certainly gave his riders their money's worth! |
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| That's right, if you paid the right price (read: donated $120), you could have ridden with a random driver. Paid a better price and you could have chosen from Jeff Jones, Danny George, Odi, Ryan Kado, Pat Mordaunt, or any driver who was there driving! |
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| It was also a great chance to get memorabilia signed for fans to take home and cherish. It was also a great time for fans to mingle with their favorite drivers, too, as some showed up to support FD's efforts. |
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| So, why put on a drift even for victims of Hurricane Sandy? “Specifically, for this event,” Ryan Sage started, “it came down to hearing about and seeing the devastation. While not first hand, through friends and family who live there and that's why we had the motivation to give. However, anytime we see people in need of something in this community we wrap ourselves around either that individual or that group who maybe having a hard time and try to do something for them. This is symbolic of that.”
“I think that when you have some direct relation to people that are affected with anything, that brings a closer tie and more relevance to what's going on in your life,” Jim Liaw added, “And so, as we stated before, from family members to friends to simply the people we do business with that are based in the North East that are affected and touches us as well.” |
