Vd “Check-Up” with driver Zachery Hitchcox

Vd – Ok Zach, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you became interested in drifting.

ZH – Well many of you know me as Yao, which was a nickname I got for being a 6’3 korean guy back in high school. I am 24 yrs old and I am originally from California. Since I moved back and forth from Rowland Heights and Edwards AFB I just say California. I got started in drifting when Hondas going in a straight line wasn’t cutting it anymore, back in 2007. VegasDrift 007 at Nellis AFB was my first event I ever attended with my white s13 coupe. I fell in love with drifting back in 2003 when I attended my first Formula Drift competition at Irwindale Speedway where I watched Ueo truly kill it. I joined the military shortly thereafter and when I had the funds to support this awfully expensive sport (well any motorsport really), I dove in and purchased the s13 coupe. In the first couple weeks of having the car, the water pump took a crap on me. And seeing that I just came from Hondas and had no idea how to fix it (which now I know is WAY easier then Hondas), I went ahead and had a SR20 installed by MP Motorsports. After that, you couldn’t get me out of the car.

Vd – We know you drive a 240 coupe with a cage fabricated Forest Wang. Besides the cage, what modifications have been done.

ZH – Man that is a long list. When I start actually thinking about how much money and upgrades I have put into my car, I think, “I could have bought a brand new 370Z. HAH! But here’s the list I can think of off the top of the head.

SR20DET Red top – HKS 264 Cams/HKS Adj. Cam gears-Apexi Metal Head Gasket-ARP Head studs-BC Valve Springs-Greddy FMIC-Moroso oil pan-Power FC D-Jetro-DDS Tune-Garret t2871r .64a/r-HKS Actuator-Tomei Expreme Exhaust manifold-HKS Type RS BOV-Painless wiring harness w/ switch panel-Defi DIN gauges-Greddy Profec B Spec II Boost controller-550CC Tomei Injectors-Tomei FPR-Tomei Oil block-Greddy oil relocater-Setrab oil cooler w/-10 AN-Koyo Radiator-Dual electric fans-Greddy oil catch-Tubs-Chassis Stitch weld-Boxed Frames-Tein Superdrift suspension-SPL tension/toe/traction/RUCA-S14 LCA(boxed by forest)-Wangle Knuckles-Dmax tie rod spacers-Jesse Alignment(Best ever!!)-300z brakes w/300z BMC-Project Mu rear Ebrake shoes-R33or2? Ebrake cables-Cusco strut tower brace w/ tow hook-All OEM s14 5 lug conversion-Moog ball joints-Full DMAX type 3 aero-carbon fiber sunroof delete-dmax front and rear wide body-silvia conversion-dmax tails-and a HUGE thanks to Robert Gray for letting me use and buy Work wheels from him. (Mostly use, zomg Meisters!) Advan Neova AD07 front tires and usually feddys on the back-PBM Adj. Spacers-Dolce and Gabana bucket seat-Vertex Steering wheel… ok I think that’s most of it. /sigh

Vd - That’s an extensive list! Click here to check out Yao’s build thread. Team Verzus seems to be creating a buzz. Tell us about TV and its goals.

ZH – Team Verzus is the team that Robert Gray (Ahomeko) and I are starting up right now. The focus is mainly a No Drama drift team. Right now we are in the midst of getting together the logos and what not. But mainly we want to try to make a name for ourselves as a team that has good drifters and baller cars. Everyone should start seeing more and more footage and videos from us. We aren’t but 2 people right now, with a couple pending(Dook-E needs a new car!!). Hopefully we can keep it pretty tight knit and have a lot of fun. Because we aren’t trying to take over the drift world, but hopefully our drifting and style gets some attention and of course brings honor to VegasDrift.

Vd – Keep us posted on the Team Verzus merchandise! What do you do with your spare time when you’re not wrenching or drifting?

ZH – Oh man… I really don’t like to be bored. So I dabble in a lot of things here and there. Mainly because of my wife being in full time College, I have been nerding it out pretty damn hard. Yes yes, I am a nerd, I play WoW, Rift, and Black Ops right now. But seeing that my job is IT/Network engineer, it comes to no surprise to most. But I also enjoy hanging out with friends out at Korean karaoke bars and going out to clubs, basic young guy stuff. My friends and I were in popping and breaking crews before, so we enjoy a good battle at the clubs when they are out here haha!

Vd – So it looks like your busy at work, but your really playing WoW. What are your plans for this year as far as comps go?

ZH – Unlike last year where I was stupid and started doing a major overhaul of the car in the midst of ProAM season. This year I am just purely doing cosmetic changes and fine tuning. So my goal is to be at all the ProAMs and hopefully I can be a good enough competitor to get top 10. There are a lot of excellent drivers that are going to be in the comp this year. And it’s going to be a hell of a season. I suggest everyone get out there and support the VD season this year, you wont be disappointed. But my goals aren’t super high this year, seeing this is my first year I’ve been doing tandem. I guess my goal is not to jack up anyone else car lol. Personally I think Traverse is going to be killing it hard. But that’s just my opinion.

Vd – Being a huge supporter of the Las Vegas drifting community, what advice could you give to someone who wants to start drifting?

ZH – Seat time, Seat time, Seat time, tires, and more Seat time. I cant stress enough how just being out there drifting and learning how your car reacts helps. And be careful not to do what I did and advance the car way past your skill level. I have personally been doing a lot of catch up to my cars progression. And I know people might think this is kind of frivolous to say, but style and looks do matter out here. I understand that we are drifters, and we are always on a budget. But even Forest said to us before, (paraphrasing of course) You can be a dope drifter, but if your ride looks like crap, you’re not getting as much props as you should. Or something like that. And for the guys out there that are starting and looking for parts, don’t always go for the cheapest solution. Most parts are cheap for a reason (knockoffs) and that’s because they don’t spend money on R&D, steal their design and ideas from other respectable companies, and make low quality parts. Which is pushing out the real companies from the US. But when it comes down to it, don’t put something on your car that will break easily or will require you to spend more money replacing than the quality part in the first place. Because that will affect your overall seat time.

Vd – This was a great interview. Thanks Zach and good luck this season!! Is there anyone you want to thank or shoutout?

ZH – First and foremost Nick and the whole VD staff for making drifting in Vegas possible. We wouldn’t even have a respectable scene here if it wasn’t for them. So truly thank you. And for everyone that has put some sweat or their valuable time into my car. If you think I built this thing from the ground up by myself, you might have ingested some type of mind altering chemical and call poison control. Thanks Gray for giving up a lot of your weekends. And to the whole Get Nutz!! Laboratory for some super dope fabs. Forest cage is awesome quality and he does Get Nutz with the fabrication stuff. A lil too nutz…lol. Jesse hooking it up always with dope work, DDS for the tuning and all kinds of work. Shout out to my little bro Eric, all his friends, VD Drivers!, all my friends and family that come out to support. So many people, sorry if I didn’t get you. And of course my wife and daughter for the support to keep this hobby going! Love both of you. And I’m sure by now you’re tired of reading if you even got this far lol! SEE YOU GUYS AT THE TRACK!