D2NZ at Hampton Downs. Poetry and Motion by Matt Malcolm

In 1974 a simple software program spat out the words “hello, world” onto the sticky computer screen of a Farrah Fawcett worshipping dork.

It was those original test words that spawned a cult-like following of software developers and nerds alike. From that day forward it became tradition to test new programs with the “hello, world” code. And it’s rather amusing to think that today multi-million dollar software programs are still following geek tradition and occasionally being tested using those two words.

Regardless, the analogy is quite fitting for the brief history of drifting. For what started out as a couple of friends sliding down a mountain pass is now a global superpower of sponsorship propaganda, tire manufacturers and energy drinks. Though through the grassroots community drifting still retains its strong ties to the traditional ways, much like the geeks and their codes.

However I feel that in the past couple of years drifting has lost some of its grounding, some of its fun, some of the razzle-dazzle, and some of the energy that makes it such a great form of motor sport.

Fortunately with days like D2NZ on the 3^rd of March at Hampton Downs the grassroots scene comes alive. Bringing back the relaxed atmosphere, the chilled out guys and girls in low riding cars and most importantly the fun that had seemed to have faded.

It was amazing to see all manner of cars sliding around the circuit. From old Toyota’s to new Nissan’s and Mazda’s to Subaru’s, everybody out there looked like they we’re having a great time. And it was reflected in their driving and super aggressive angles. Clouds of smoke from the drivers tires we’re being produced on an industrial level and even the local news channel was out there in the dust shooting some film.

You know what.. The more I think about it, the more I start to see that I’m wrong. Grassroots drifting never faded, it is still alive and kicking, living and breathing here in New Zealand.

The rest of the world may be moving and grooving to the sound of commercialized drifting but don’t worry guys, we’ll carry the torch.

Matt

In 1974 a simple software program spat out the words “hello, world” onto the sticky computer screen of a Farrah Fawcett worshipping dork.

It was those original test words that spawned a cult-like following of software developers and nerds. From that day forward it became tradition to test new applications with the “hello, world” code. And it’s rather amusing to think that today multi-million dollar software applications are still following geek tradition and testing their applications using those two words.

Regardless, the analogy is quite fitting for the brief history of drifting. For what started out as a couple of friends sliding down a mountain pass is now a global superpower of sponsorship propaganda, tire manufacturers and energy drinks. Though through the grassroots community drifting still retains its strong ties to the traditional ways, much like the geeks and their codes.

However I feel that in the past couple of years drifting had lost some of its grounding, some of its fun, some of the razzle-dazzle, and some of the energy that makes it such a great form of motorsport.

Fortunately with days like D2NZ on the 3^rd of March at Hampton Downs the grassroots scene comes alive. Bringing back the relaxed atmosphere, the chilled out guys and girls in low riding cars and most importantly the fun that had seemed to have faded.

It was amazing to see all manner of cars sliding around the circuit. From old Toyota’s to new Nissan’s and Mazda’s to Subaru’s everybody out there looked like they we’re having a great time. And it was reflected in their driving and super aggressive angles. Clouds of smoke from the tires we’re being produced on an industrial level and even the local news channel was out there in the dust shooting some film.

You know what.. The more I think about it, the more I’m starting to think I was wrong, grassroots drifting never faded, it is still alive and living in New Zealand.

The rest of the world may be moving and grooving to the sound of commercialized drifting but don’t worry guys, we’ll carry the torch.

Matt

Tags: ae86, Auckland, Drifting, feature, grassroots, Hampton Downs, Matt Malcolm, New Zealand, Photography, rx7, Silvia, Toyota

• March 4, 2010
• Drifting, Motorsport, New Zealand, Photography
• 12 Comments