Technically, when I took part in the D1 Driver Search and Shakedown sessions for the A'PEXi Rx-7 in August, I noticed the U.S. drivers had issues with their acceleration control, brake control and steering control, issues common in the beginning stages of drifting development. The drivers displayed either on or off with the accelerator to drift through the turns not using the brakes to control the tail ends of the car. Steering is also important, but it's the smaller technical aspects like accelerator control and braking that the driver needs to grasp to begin to understand the car's limits.
First-time drivers should learn these limits by taking their cars out to an open area without barriers, etc. From there the driver can analyze how much the car will turn when locking the steering wheel, or how fast the car will stop when hitting the brakes. Eventually, the drivers will understand the small technical and physical details needed to drift correctly. It's like learning to ride a bike, your body learns to balance on two wheels. The concept is similar.
T: Who is the top drifter in Japan right now and why?
TU: Nihon-ichi (number one in Japan)? It's hard to pinpoint just one driver in the D1 series because the skill level is so high. There are many variables involved: the best track conditions, the type of track, if the car is adjusted to the track conditions, and the driver's motivation to win first place.
If I had to choose someone, then it's Taniguchi. He is very consistent and I consider him one step above everyone else. There are other top guys like Tsuchiya-san and Orido-san, but they're judges now. Thank goodness!
T: At the most recent event, Imamura took first place once again in his A'PEXi FD3S. With his 20-plus-point lead in the 2003 D1 series, do you think he'll take the title?
TU: I believe this season he will take the points championship and first place in D1. As a driver, things are flowing very well for him. His A'PEXi crew and his car are working well for him.
Rumors abound of D1 events being rigged by fellow drivers in the points system and Imamura is well aware of this as he leads the points. After this season there will be no doubt that his championship was well deserved and that this was a fully legitimate competition.
He is my rival and rivals need to compete, but within that group there are individuals who you'd hate for to win and others who you'd support. Imamura belongs in that group that you root for, and I definitely hope he wins the championship. But next year? I won't be so naive and say the same thing because I plan to beat him. Watch out, Imamura, I'm gonna get you! (Laughing).
T: Sources have said that you are Taniguchi Nobuteru's cousin. Is that true?
TU: (laughing) No, he isn't my cousin. But he does live across the street in a preceding mansion like mine. (Wow, a mansion in Japan?) He lives in a five-story house while I live in a six-story complex. We occasionally see each other in the front yard and yell back and forth at each other for fun. Taniguchi was originally from Hiroshima and was an unknown driver at the time. A friend introduced me to him and we went drinking one day. We got to talking and I decided to support him in the drifting scene. It worked out quite well for the both of us.
T: A'PEXi recently had a shakedown session where you were able to dial in your car at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, Calif. What do you think of the Irwindale track? Is it too easy for D1 drivers?
Tu: This course is really tough on the tires; they don't last long on that rough track. I must have gone through a set of tires every other run. I assume it's because oval-track cars need as much traction as possible. The inside track is fairly easy, but changes can always be made because of the cone setup. I like the outside oval section. It feels good drifting at high speeds down the embankment. In Japan, we don't have oval tracks to race on. Coming to the United States to drift on the Irwindale track was a good experience for me.
T: Now we're going to ask you some controversial questions! If Orido and Keiichi were in a one-on-one competition, who do you think would win in drifting and JGTC?
TU: Ahh... that's tough! What's with your tough questions? [Laughing.] In JGTC? Well, Tsuchiya-san campaigns an NSX while Orido-san drives a Supra. If you compare the technology of the cars, the NSX would be outdated, so Orido-san gets the advantage. If they drove the same cars on identical track conditions, I couldn't tell you who would win.
I choose Orido-san to win in a drifting competition because he has more flair to his drifting rather than Tsuchiya-san, who has the old-school drifter style. Tsuchiya-san has a more professional style on the track and with his cars. Both drivers have different drifting styles, making it hard to choose a winner. I'm going to get in so much trouble for answering this question!
T: OK, what about Taniguchi vs. Imamura? Who's better in D1?
TU: If the track conditions were identical, I believe Taniguchi is the better driver. This statement only applies if you put both drivers in identically styled cars. At the last Fuji D1 event, Imamura and Taniguchi went head to head in the finals. Imamura took first place, so it's really hard to say. Next question, please!