All drifting and Japanese tuning fans rejoiced on the West Coast when Driftspeed and AP Boss USA opened its doors. There was a huge party to celebrate the big day with more tuned cars in the parking lot than at a car show. By the time Turbo arrived there were so many fixed up Evos and S14s that they could rival any Hot Import Nights event. With all of the hachi rokus and drifting cars there, we were kicking ourselves for driving the Project Scion tC and not Turbo's Project S14 or AE86. Dammit! We hid our show car in the corner and ventured into the party nonetheless.
It was a great way to spend a sunny day with a DJ spinning some tunes, some Kumho tire giveaways, free food and raffle prizes. Driftspeed definitely got off to a good start. The tuning shop has both a retail and service focus. The store sells all sorts of drifting and aftermarket performance automotive products as well as paraphernalia, such as T-shirts, stickers, etc.--so you can adorn yourself and your car without abandon. In the back is an expansive workspace with multiple lifts and bays for vehicles as well as a four-wheel DynoPak dyno good for up to 1,600 hp. There are very few four-wheel dynos in SoCal so those rollers will surely be kept busy.
You might be familiar with Driftspeed if you follow the drifting circuit. They campaign a S13, whose driver Quac Ly was on hand for the grand opening. Driftspeed is currently building a S14 and Z33 to campaign next.
For those who follow the big names in Japanese tuning, Auto Produce Boss is nothing new. Having built noteworthy time-attack vehicles and a solid reputation for tuning, it was only a matter of time before they would open up a U.S.-based shop to spread their performance knowledge across the pond. AP Boss vehicles have graced the pages of Turbo on several occasions, so we're happy to see that their products will be more readily available in the U.S. Okay, truth be told we're more than happy, we're downright ecstatic and already have our shopping list ready for when their first container hits U.S. shores. At the top of our list are some of the Neko Corporation goodies that they're now distributing. Having a U.S.-based shop will also help AP Boss more easily campaign their drift car in Stateside events.