The Night I got Hooked on Drifting - April 6th, 2023

As I look back on my life, I realize that despite getting older, there are certain things from my youth that still hold a special place in my heart. One such memory takes me back to 2005, when I was just 19 and the world was full of endless possibilities. I had a job with odd hours and strange days off, and in my free time, I loved hanging out with my buddy Jordan at his Muffler Shop in South Sacramento. My roommate at the time, Rob, also worked there, and both he and Jordan shared a passion for S Chassis’. Although business was slow, we always found ways to stay entertained, like watching Napoleon Dynamite on repeat in the lobby. Occasionally, other drift enthusiasts would drop by, and it was there that I made some of my closest car friends, including Tony Le and Peter Heu, both proud AE86 owners. Amazingly, Tony now does R&D work here at T3, and I get to hang out with him every day!

One day, a new kid arrived in an unfamiliar car that caught our attention. It was a Toyota Cressida MX83 with Hawaii license plates, lowered and sporting SSR Super Fins. We chatted with the soft-spoken owner for a bit, and before long, we made plans to hit up a car meet later that night. Although Rob and Jordan were impressed with the MX83, I didn't quite understand the appeal at the time, assuming that it must have been imported from Japan via Hawaii.

That evening, we met up with the new kid, Dave, and headed out to Roseville, east of Sacramento. We drove 4 cars deep on I-80, barely hitting 55 mph. I couldn't help but wonder why Dave was driving so slowly. Eventually, we arrived and met up with a small group of people, including Tomasz, who shook my hand and suggested that we all head up into the mountains.

We drove up to Auburn, California, and entered the canyon, crossing a long bridge before pulling off on the side of a pitch-black road with an uphill switchback. We hung out for a bit, waiting for headlights to appear across the bridge. I wasn't entirely sure what we were doing there, but after a few minutes, Tomasz got into his Corolla and headed back toward the bridge.

Suddenly, I heard a 4AGE engine revving at full throttle, and bright headlights appeared in the distance. Tomasz manji'd the road and slid up the switchback as best he could. It was exhilarating! A few more drivers attempted the turn, and then it was Dave's turn in his MX83. His large four-door sedan barreled toward us at an incredible speed. Dave initiated the turn and floated up the switchback like butter, leaving me speechless. I couldn't believe he was able to make such a large car drift like that!

That night left a lasting impression on me, and I was completely hooked on drifting. As a Honda owner at the time, the community was vastly different from what I was accustomed to. The people were friendly, and they were passionate about driving their cars. Even a car like the MX83 Cressida could hold its own! It was an unforgettable experience that still brings a smile to my face to this day.

I later learned that Dave had to drive slow because his Cressida was 7MGTE swapped with an NA Transmission which had short gearing. He was definitely ahead of the game compared to the rest of us. Sadly we lost Dave a few years later but I still think about that slide he did often.

RIP Dave Kula *Pray For Rain*

Written by Kevin Guevara