Vd – With this being his first VegasProAm season, Joey has become a familiar face at the local comps. Ok, tell us about yourself and why you started drifting.

JS – Well I was born and raised here in Vegas. I’m married with 3 boys. I know I’m probably one of the older guys out here at 32. I’ve been around cars since I was very little and love wrenching on them. I was big in the Import scene 12 years ago but I was an Acura guy back then.  A few years ago, I saw some “street drifting” at one of the import meets I was at and it seemed so much more fun than drag racing. That night when I get home I searched Google about drifting. At 10am the next morning i knew it was something i wanted to be apart of. After getting the car it took me years to convince my wife that it was safe. We went to FD Vegas 2010 and that night i got the answer i had been waiting for. Started ordering parts the next morning.

Vd – Give us a recap of your 2011 VegasProAm season.

JS – This year was overall a great year with lots of ups and downs. This was my first year drifting and first time i tried drifting was February this year. Round 1 was an adventure for sure. I had the stock Ka24e pushed to its limits. It was very challenging to say the least. I learned so much and met a bunch of cool new people that all gave me, the new guy a lot of help. I made a few changes including 2 single cams to the car before Round 2. The course was more of a challenge. That’s when I knew if I wanted to continue i needed more power. Round 3 i had the new Rb20det power and it really helped. That event was the worst one all season for me. I had some track debris get up in the steering and i hit the K-Rail and totaled the car. Very hard hit but i walked away. Round 4 i unveiled a new car built in 8 days. DDS built me a cage after i found a chassis in record time. Tested the new car on Monday night before the event and made a large swing at the set up before Thursdays paid practice. Round 4 was very new with much higher speed. I qualified 6th with a great 2nd run and believe I finished 10th. I’m very happy with this year and cant wait for next season.Vd – What was it like driving on the FD course at VegasProAm round 4.

JS – It was so unreal running that course. Last year i was on the other side of the fence watching and then here i am running on the fastest FD course. The entire course was very intimidating for me. Last event i hit the wall and now I’m pushing this new car to 80+mph and throwing is sideways between nothing but K-Rails. This was hands down the best event of the year.

Vd – What mods have you done on your 240 Hatch?

JS – It has a RB20DET running stock boost. It has a front mount inter-cooler, walbro 255lph, fuel pressure regulator, custom ignition set up, running on pump gas with stock tune. I’m running Godspeed hyper rs on the rear and no name coils on the front. I have a welded diff and rear sub-frame spacers and rear links. Most of what I had in the old car is in this one. (Click here to view Joey’s build thread)

Vd – What advice would you give to someone that wants to get into drifting?

JS – First thing i would tell them is to get a Rwd car and get out there. We are so lucky to have U-drift where they not only provide a legal place to drift, they will teach you as well. Don’t let anyone tell you that you need a high horsepower car to drift. It does help but you should start out and learn to control a low power car. So much you learn from low power that you need even with high power cars.

Vd – In your opinion, what is the worst movie trilogy?

JS – Worst trilogy in my opinion was the scream trilogy. First one was ok but could not even sit through the other two.

Vd – Thanks for the interview Joey. We will see you at the next VegasDrift competition! Are there any sponsors or people you would like to thank?

JS – I would like to start by thanking my wife, friends and family for all the support this year. I would like to thank everyone at VegasDrift for great events and all the advice and help this season. I need to thank Lance with DaeDalus Automotive for helping me get the car together for round3 and building the new car for Round 4 in 8 days. Kyle with DDS for building me an awesome cage and a second cage in such short time. Big thanks to Billy with Functiontheory.com for all the help and the pictures this season.

Photo Credit

Billy with Functiontheory.com

Joel Cada – Third Eye Photography

Vd – Edwin Aguilar is a local drifter and has been in the game for a few years now. He is also a member of the local crew, “Limit Break.” Tell us about yourself and the spark of interest that got you into drifting.

EA – For me, it all started back when Initial D was all the hype. I was really into it, dropping 30 bucks a day on playing the arcade game and than coming home and watching the anime online. I was a major geek. LOL But, the real turning point that really inspired me into drifting was when I went to D1GP when it came to Vegas a couple years back, that really opened my eyes and basically inspired me into getting my personal “drift car.” That’s when I got my first S13 and started street drifting and that’s when I found about VD and the rest is history.

Vd – Ok, Limit Break is nothing new to the local scene. Who is LB and what’s it all about?

EA – Well, we were once known as the Akagi RedSuns, but we decided to lay low and change up the name.. JK lol LB is basically a bunch of dudes that are into the same hobby and enjoy anything that is car affiliated, just your average Joes that are trying to have some fun with the skills they possess. We started out being really deep into street drifting, going out almost every night to different spots around town to chase the adrenaline rush. Be it if we only did one donut or stayed out there for hours it was always the same rush, we were all out there just to have fun and hopefully not get caught in the process. Then we figured it was getting a little risky on the streets and decided to tone it down on the street and start heading to the track whenever a event would take place, that is when we would try to sharpen our skills on the track the most we could per event. LB tends to push each other to try and surpass our own personal limits. Like Royce Phung says we are all on a step ladder and we are all trying to reach the top! Everyone is down to earth dudes, family basically. So next time you see us on the track come up and ask for a ride! We all get pumped when the crowd is enjoying the drifting action. Or if you see us on the street give us a wave hello!!

Vd – What mods have you done to your S13?

EA – Sadly nothing really to special going on with my car lmao. It has the basic SR swap with S15 T28, 550CC injectors, Mild street tune off of a SAFC, front mount intercooler, Koyo Rad, and the motor list can go on and on but hearing that would bore everyone lol.  On the chassis/suspension side it has: Ksport coilovers, PBM RUCAS and Toe Rods Gen.2, Custom powerbrace made by Jesse Hanna, 300ZX brakes and 5 Lug swap, and a good ol’ welded diff, CUSCO 6 pt roll cage. At one point the car had a body kit but that got thrashed so now its stock body FTW! I’m sure there’s a couple more things but now I feel like im just ranting about my bucket lol.  All and all the car is a lot of fun for being a daily driver and a weekend track go’er, but sadly the motor started knocking and now it is pulled out of the car and new replacement is going in but I think a total revamp of the car is past due! Vehicle is now in transformation mode, So stay tuned!!

Vd – Do you see yourself competing in the future?

EA – Yes, that is a for sure thing on the agenda! It seems like every time a new VPA would start, my car would go and take a dump on me causing me to be to not be able to compete, but with this revamp of the car I am trying to shoot for next year of ProAm and be ready once competition time is coming around. So see you guys at VegasProAM 2012!

Vd – If “flash mob” riots broke out in Vegas, would LB go looting for tires?

EA – hahaha knowing us we would most likely be a part of the flash mob! But free tires would be nice though!!

Vd – What advice would you give to someone that wants to start drifting?

EA – Don’t worry about the looks of your car in the beginning, just grab yourself a good running car and some decent coils and a welded diff and get out there and have some fun! When it all comes down to it all that really matters is SEAT TIME. You’re going to mess up in the beginning but just keep at it and before you know it driving a car straight is going to be rather boring haha

Vd – Well Edwin , thanks for the interview and keep us posted on your build. Is there anyone you would like to thank or shout out?

EA – First and foremost I would like to thank my mom and pop, Ashley for putting up with all my car nonsense and not letting it get between us haha, and definitely the band of brothers that I have “Limit Break” for always pushing each other to exceed our expectations, Mike Bolanos for all the advice he gives when I’m out on the track, all the photographers that are out at the events making our cars look good! (KidYosh, Larry Chen, ThirdEye Photography, 4Reel Productions.) Udrift! for having a weekly venue and last but certainly not least the VD staff(Nick D, Wes, Ray, Ace, Tommy, Danilo, Robert, and the list goes on and on) for putting up all the effort they always do when an event is going on, without you guys it would have been almost impossible to have organized events out here, cant thank you guys enough!! And to anyone else that I might have forgot I apologize but I am having a massive brain fart, but much thanks. Over and out!

Photo Credit
Larry Chen – driftfotos.com
Kid Yosh Photography – Kidyosh.com
Joel Cada – Third Eye Photography

Vd – After VPA rd 2 we were able to catch up with Mike “BOMAC” Bolanos, a seasoned driver/instructor and judge for the VegasProAm series. Mike, what are your thoughts on the series after the first two rounds?

MB – First of all, I would like to say my greetings to all the VD members and supporters. Thanks for always supporting your grassroots drift community. Moving on to the 1st Vd Check-Up question. So, what exactly is in my thoughts towards the VPA series??? I’m very excited! This year definitely has a lot of flavors in the menu. From the local support and from our friends from CA, AZ, CO, NM, UT, and etc. I can’t disregard last years success but this season is definitely a positive movement towards FD standards and the newer breed of drivers are very good. I would say that 2011 is a good year for Vegas so far.

Vd – Coming from the judges booth, which was the closest and hardest battle to “make the call” on from Round 2?

MB – Without a doubt, semi-finals battle (top 4) between George Marstonovic (AZ) and Brandon Patterson (CA). As I remember before the OMT, non of the judges agreed to one winner. Judge #1 scored George, Judge #2 Brandon, and Judge #3 OMT. I was really blown away on how these drivers performed this round compared to all previous rounds in the VPA series since 2010. Of course each event has its own story, but the last round was definitely ranked #1 in my books. Its like watching FD or D1 live, except I was actually a part of judging these excellent drivers. The most exciting VPA Top 16 by far!!

Vd – Give us an update on your S-13.

MB – The update is… it’s still the same car! haha. I know I have mentioned before that I was planning on building a new chassis in hopes of participating couple rounds in FD. Lets just say that the hope met it’s demise and will be sticking to grassroots until further notice… maybe join VPA 2012. Don’t quote me on that! On the real, my s13 coupe was revived. I was able to get the rear end damage somewhat straightened out (good enough) and a make over on the front end and new paint. Car came out really good I wasn’t expecting that kind of result, i’m really happy with it. Took longer than expected (1 year) my last event with that car was May 28th, 29th 2010 for the VegasDrift/Justdrift Balcony event. Thanks to my Dad’s S13 hatch I was able to continue driving while the coupe project was in the works.

Vd – What’s your take on the wave of V8 swaps?

MB – Wave? more like a tornado with the means of destruction. I can’t hate on them, I would love to own one and would be nice to actually compete with power like that. Great power comes with great responsibility! You better have deep pockets for tires! haha. It does make the level of drifting go up a notch. Less motor issues with a lot more efficient horses to count on. Definitely different from your common drifting laws. I bet it’s really fun to drift one, but for now I can only imagine that feeling.

Vd – Being an old 86 driver, what are your thoughts on drifting with low HP?

MB – My thoughts haven’t change a bit. from a 4AGE powered corolla, S13 with single bangers or KA DOHC and etc. I think if you can give your self a chance to learn from a low hp cars you get to experience a lot more. Nothing wrong with low HP cars as longs as you can have fun with it.

Vd – Do you think the experience of judging has giving you something to apply to your driving?

MB – Most definitely! It’s different when you concentrate on setting the standards on the track that you are judging on. Drifting is a motor sport art, it is really important that you follow what the judges want. Sometimes when you are out there, you have to imagine how good you can look from the judges stand point. It’s like impressing your dads gf, no matter how clean you look if you are sloppy you don’t get any points.

Vd – What is your favorite 80′s band and movie?

MB – 80′s band? a lot, I’m pretty versatile with my music selection, from jazz, r&b, hip-hop, soul, and alternative. Up to this point I still believe that the 80′s towards the mid 90′s were the best years of music. For my best movie, it has to be “TOPGUN” I cant tell you how many times I’ve watched that movie and never ever got tired of it. You always want to play the best guy in a movie… in this case, who is your iceman?

Vd – Thanks for the interview Mike! We will see you at round 3 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Is there anyone you would like to mention or thank?

MB – Thanks Wes! And Thank you VegasDrift and Staff. As I always say and remind myself, I’m very proud to be a part of this organization. Drifting has been a passion for me ever since the 1st day I kicked the clutch of my corolla. To the OG people, new breeds, and future stars Thank you! You guys are a big part of VD’s success.

To Family and close friends who have always been there, Thanks for all the support!

To Justdrift for helping me out since I started being a regular driver and an instructor.

Thank you:
Maxxis Tires
Replay HD
AIT RACING
HPS
UDrift
BCE Designs
J’Spec
The Shop
Brian Camacho

Photo Credit

Larry Chen – Driftfotos.com
‘Sa Jamil Hogan “KidYosh” – Kidyosh.com
Joal Cada – Third Eye Photography

Vd – Aaron, You’ve probably driven in more events then you can remember. Tell us about yourself and how you got into drifting.

AE – Well that’s flattering, honestly I haven’t been to THAT many events, and I actually kind of remember them all for something. I suppose I can start out simply, my name is Aaron Nicolas Escobedo and I got into “cars” at a very young age – elementary exactly. I remember it vividly because we were asked to go pick out books from the library and I would also choose cars/airplane books. I was hooked from very little.

I got into drifting mostly because my brother was into cars and was 5 years older than me, he would take me to the street races when I was very young (around 12) and I watched and learned from him. However, the biggest thing he always told me was that this stuff doesn’t teach you much and that I should concentrate on “turns”.  It was also around this time that I got into stuff like Initial D, Gran Tursimo, and  go karting. I always thought of drifting as natural, never really anything special. However, when I got my first car at 15 (circa 2003), the first night I owned it, I went out and tried drifting, mostly attempting to just learn more car control…honestly I think back now and realize how dumb it was, my first “drifts” were fients at nearly 70 mph……and btw, it was a Ford Escort

My first event to watch was D1 US in 2004, and my first actually drifting event was in 2005.

AE - Well, honestly I use this maita to daily, and I set my goal from the start to not put money into it. I bought the car for $500 and got it running, and haven’t done anything to it besides put a Sparco Evo from my FC on it. I personally have no real plans with the miata other than go to school and work with it, it gets great gas mileage J.  I do suppose though, I wanted to show people that you don’t need anything special to go out and have fun, even if it is quite literally the ugliest thing out there, I still have a blast driving it, even if it is open diff.

However….I have been working slowly on two secret projects, I’m a broke college kid though, and who knows whenever those things will come out.

AE – Well, I’m into a lot of things, I really enjoy playing the piano, working out, I’m pretty good with HTML and photoshop, and I know C++ I like to play star craft and love to people watch. Probably the weirdest combo ever, but I love the “science” of all things and have a burning passion to figuring out how things work.

Oh, and the typical go karting, and working on my cars…..and oddly I actually like doing my homework

Vd – What are you plans for the 2011 season?

AE – Well, I don’t have many plans, I am in school and my main objective is to finish that up, I will continue to drift for fun but I doubt anything serious will happen for me unless someone gives me and offer I can’t refuse, however, honestly I just plan on finishing school.

AE - I would say, watch and learn from everything you see, hear and touch. Me personally, I learn best by watching others, and I have watched countless others in drifting and I know what I want to do based on what others I have seen do. The best advise is go out there, never be egotistical, learn from everyone and everything, because you are never the best, there is always someone better. Oh, and let me drive your car.

Vd – What do you think would be the most important resource in a post-apocalyptic environment. ?

AE – Ummm….Coercion.

AE – Oh man, this is going to suck….First off, my brother for teaching the ways, my team mates for helping me in everything, Dave Kato for being my second father, and helping me in impossible ways. The VD staff, especially Nick, Ray, Wes and Mike !! Josh’s(all three) and Ray. And I know I’m going to miss A LOT of people, please don’t hate me to hard, you know I love all the help and SUPER appreciate everything and anything that has been of help throughout the years, truly. You know who you are !!

Photo Credit – Joel Cada (Third 3ye Photography)

– Larry Chen – Driftfotos

– Kid Yosh (Kid Yosh Photography)

VD CheckUp-Mike Bolanos from Robert Strohmeyer on Vimeo.