While in Washington last year, during the 2008 season for Formula Drift, Tommy Suell experienced multiple catastrophic engine failures with his sr20det powered AE86 corolla. Fortunately, the grassroots community in WA/Canada made us realize how awesome the Northwest Drifting Community is. The “Comrades” the name by which a number of different drift groups in the northwest area identify themselves, had come to our aide during our drifting adventure in the Pacific Northwest. Some of these individuals have even driven out of their home country to pursue the sport they love!

One year and few motors later, we had the opportunity to catch up with one of our Pro-Am Comrades from Canada, Trent Stromkins.

VD: Well Trent, how long did it take to get from where you live to Evergreen Speedway?
TS: Well I live in Vancouver, Canada and it takes us roughly 1.5 hrs from our house, past the border, and to Evergreen.

VD: When did you start Drifting?
TS: Well in 2002 Watched a JDM Insider Video hosted by Toshi Hayama and then started watching grip videos. In 2003 a good friend of mine, Scott Goodman, sold his civic and began attempting to emulate the driving we saw in those videos. I rode shotgun for almost an entire year. During that time, I developed a strong passion for drifting, and as soon as I sold my own civic and in 2005 I bought an ae86 coupe and was out hitting up local touge roads. The streets started to become risky as our skills and cars progressed; we realized that we had to take it to a track.

VD: What track did you start driving at?
TS: Well, it took me 6 months of negotiation before we were able to get the use of our local track, Agassiz Speedway. I started a grassroots drifting organization called Cellblock D (the “D” stands for destruction). Most of our drivers drive s13’s but in Canada, we also have the ability to purchase RHD cars, so there are also Skylines, and S15 Silvia’s in addition to the more traditionally chosen drift cars.

VD: When did you start driving at Evergreen Speedway?
TS: I started driving the smaller 3/8 bank at Evergreen in 2007. Last year at Formula Drift was my first time drifting the full 5/8 bank and I had the opportunity to hit it at 2 events in ‘08. This year Evergreen Drift started prepping the community for more competitive drifting by hosting 6 events this year that made the 5/8 bank available to the amateur drivers.

VD: Last Year you were in a yellow AE86 coupe, what made you change to the AE86 hatch?
TS: Well I recently changed to a ‘86 hatch from the coupe last month due to a crash; we actually did the swap to the new chassis in less than 10 days.

VD: So Trent, you have only had 8 events on this 5/8 track?
TS: 8, or 9 events but there had never been amateur competitions on the 5/8 bank at the Evergreen events before this Pro-Am was on the 3/8 bank.

VD: How did you feel about your 6th place Qualification?
TS: Well, initially I was a bit nervous because there was no warm-up before our qualifying runs. We had a good hour of practice, 6 hrs before, but I kinda lost the mindset. The course become a bit different after a few hours of changing track conditions such as tire debris, track temperature, etc. To compensate, I made tire pressure changes, lowered the pressure too much, which caused the wheel spin to slow up . It was really nerve racking with hearing a lot of drivers ahead of me were spinning and crashing. To combat being psyched out I instructed my crew chief Pat Lee to only give me info and criticism on what I was doing so that I could focus on the task at hand. On my second run I dropped a tire at the end of the bank, there is a infield area at the end of the bank and I left the bank just a little early. I managed to keep it together after hitting the bump on that surface change, and was able to finish the run and put some points in the books. Tomorrow we get a 30 min practice before the tandem runs so we can get used to the track surface.

VD: So who do you go up against first tomorrow?
TS: Tomorrow I go up against Cyrus Martinez a California driver Sponsored by Drift day and Megan Racing. It should be a great tandem competition.

VD: Well it was good catching up with you Trent, thanks again for all your help!
TS; Definitely, I want to thank my very supportive wife, my pit crew Mat Rodger and Neil Anderson, Amanda and Felicia for spotting and all my sponsors.

Currently ranked 3rd in the Evergreen Drift Series.
Car Specs: ae86 with sr20det, 240 hp with 8/6 spring rates
supra welded diff 4.11 gear ratio, gm-one wire alternator
Nitto Neogen tires 205/40 and 45/16
Sponsors: wheelswest.ca, Work Wheels Japan, Drivers Edge Autosports, Techno Toy Tuning, OZ designs paint and body, Full Tilt Poker, and ShowstoperUSA