Formula Drift Round 2: Houston Reliant Center.

I was there. Great show. Security was horrible. No backpack rule(had to carry my digicam, mini DV, and 2 disposables by hand), and had to leave my water bottles in the car. Paid $9.75 for three bottles of water. :mad:

Anyway, Hubinette won. He was flawless the entire time. I don't remember seeing him mess up once. He pulled a 180-degree drift once, during a demo, but some guys were in the way and I couldn't get it on video.

Ken Gushi faced off with Hubinette in the final round, but broke an axle(his 5th) during the first run.

Rhys Millen was really good in the GTO. Don't recall him messing up either, but Hubinette was just too much for him. At least no one booed him this time.

I wish the local hero, Derek Rodgers and his El Camino(www.z28evans.com/Drifting.htm) had done better, though. He won the Drift Showoff on April 10th. In Formula D, he got eliminated in the first round against Chris Forsberg(sp??) and the Motorex 350Z(with an SR).

Alex Pheiffer wiped out on one run, hitting the driver's side front and rear corners on his Hachi. I think he still won the round, though. During a break, I got to meet him. Really cool guy. His crew guy gave me a used tire, and Alex signed it for me.

Got pics of NOB(he was there, didn't drive) and Tarzan Yamada too.

All in all, a great event. The MC was funny. He kept trying to get everyone to do the 'One more time' like at D1. Didn't work too well, because everyone was tired from sitting in the sun for 4+ hours. Only time it really worked was when the crowd wanted the El Camino to have another chance.

The one thing of value the MC did say was that for next year, they hope to have the Japanese drifters come out to compete. If they can get D1 drivers, that'd be great. Hopefully there'll be more rounds, too. There's only four, and half of them are in California. If there are only four rounds next year, my town will probably get skipped over so that other areas can get some exposure. :(

said pics?

Got 'em developed yesterday. They were horrible. Not even worth scanning and uploading. :mad:

Go to www.houston-imports.com/forums. You'll find some better pics there.

Rhys Millen was really good in the GTO. Don't recall him messing up either, but Hubinette was just too much for him. At least no one booed him this time.

?????????????
Do you mean they booed Rhys? Why?

People were booing Rhys Millen and his GTO at the US D1GP this year simply because it's a factory team for an American company.

Of course, when Tsuchiya got on the mike and told the crowd he liked the GTO and didn't appreciate their booing, they shut up quick.

I like how Hot Rod Magazine described the GTO at D1, "A linebacker amongst the ballerinas."

people were actually booing? thats just stupid, cars are cars, some fast some slow, and i dont know were im going with this, but it must be going somewhere.........oh it doesn't matter were the car is made