Drifting forum - Driftworks - View Single Post - My visit to Kumakubo/Team Orange at Ebisu and.......

Glen · 28-05-2007, 15:06

Just on my way back from a fantastic trip to Japan and thought I'd write this whilst waiting for my plane at Osaka Kansai.

I received an invite through Sleepy (our EDC judge) to visit Kumakubo at Ebisu and spend a few days chilling there, well three infact. Part of the time was to be spent learning to Drift and this was one of the most exciting parts for me as I've always wanted to learn but never had the time. I'm great mates with a lot of the drivers and especially Phl Morrisson and knew one day I would have to take the plunge. I was looking forward to learning at Drift Central with the guys later this year but when asked a couple of weeks ago if I'd like to have a go with Kumakubo - well I couldn't say no could I

.

I could go on about how good I ended up being but I'll summarise it and say it was damn hard work and I never got past the first stages of trying to do doughnuts, which in its own way was cool seeing as when I was spinning out like crazy and acting like Terry Grant

it was all under the watchful eye of Kumakubo

, but to be fair the guy never showed signs of slitting his wrists or telling me to go home which was nice. On the other hand Sleepy was mastering it very well and ended up doing handbrake entries and figure of 8's, but in a way that was reflective of the Kumakubo style. On the final day I actually gave up any time I may have had to let Sleepy crack on, which was only right considering he was advancing more than I was. This was an ideal opportunity for Sleepy to get a perfect insight into how it should be done and the levels of skill it takes to do it correctly. Now thats not to say Sleepy cannot see what he needs to see from a judging perspective as he has had many many years of 4 wheel racing under his belt, is also a racing driver trainer/coach and has spent many a long day with the D1 judges. To summarise it was great being taught somewhat how to Drift and experience it first hand from the Worlds No.1. My respect has always been high for ALL the EDC drivers but to be immersed in professional Drifting and experience the way it should be done first hand has cemented that we are doing the right things in the way that we are doing them. Kumakubo also complimented us on the way we run EDC and the standards we set and expect in our competitions, basically its nice to know we are doing it the right way from the ground floor upwards. It's also amazing how all the top Japanese Drifters know each other and share information on whats going on, it's the same as over here really but they keep pure to the Drift essence and as much enjoy arsing around as being Pro drivers

The Ebisu circuit itself is immense with a wide range or tracks and courses all built by Kumakubo and his team in the side of the mountains. It's actually a little bit mind blowing to see the set-up and facilities available and the realxed atmosphere in which everything goes on. Throughout the day street Drifters would appear, pay there £40 (roughly) and choose which track/circuit they wanted to go on, it's Drift nirvana-no doubt about it.

Within the circuit is a zoo and safari park and on entry to the facility you first go past a couple of hippo's, some lamas a camel and a white tiger, then into the main facility which shares its monkey house, seal shows, dinosur experience, white snake pit etc., with the rest of the circuits. It's so surreal looking at some donkeys or walking monkeys and then suddenly see a Drift car or two driving past going from circuit to circuit

. All in all the place has a special feeling to it which you cannot describe in words or pictures (which stupidly I took none of.)

After Ebsiu I had other things/business to do in Japan and after I'd left I actually wished I had time to go back, cool place, cool people and I must and will return.

I also took in a round of MSC at Nikko Circuit last Sunday (27th) just gone and that was a reat event. Real hardcore and great to see so many entries, all under the watchful eyes of Orido, Kazama and Tanaguchi. The event itself had lots of drivers and was broken into 3 classes - Amateur, Semi Pro and Pro. The format was different from the norm in that no competition Twin Drifting went on but all the same the qualifying and finals were exciting, with a great range of cars entered. They did have another competition and this was 3 car Team Drifting, which was absolutely superb. In a way MSC offers something previously not available to this extent in Japan and definetly has a future if they carry on the way they are. Don't get me wrong some of these guys ar just under the D1 level and so is their equipment. To be fair they are very very good but I would still put money on the EDC drivers to make a great challenge and walk away with the silver

, well of course I'm going to say that

All in all I could go on and on and on but just don't have the energy at this time but thought it only right to let you guys that are interested know what I had experienced and the way things are done from the ground floor up to the top in Japan. If anyone wants any information on Kumakubo and Ebisu then wait till this weekends Round 2 is over and I'll be glad to help with any information I can. Oh and before I go if anyones interested in experiencing Ebisu and/or MSC then let me know as arrangements can be made.

Many thanks to Sleepy for making the trip superb by the way

Gotta run...............................

Glen

28-05-2007, 15:06	#1 (permalink)
Glen dorifto kingu! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NFA Posts: 1,798	My visit to Kumakubo/Team Orange at Ebisu and....... Just on my way back from a fantastic trip to Japan and thought I'd write this whilst waiting for my plane at Osaka Kansai. I received an invite through Sleepy (our EDC judge) to visit Kumakubo at Ebisu and spend a few days chilling there, well three infact. Part of the time was to be spent learning to Drift and this was one of the most exciting parts for me as I've always wanted to learn but never had the time. I'm great mates with a lot of the drivers and especially Phl Morrisson and knew one day I would have to take the plunge. I was looking forward to learning at Drift Central with the guys later this year but when asked a couple of weeks ago if I'd like to have a go with Kumakubo - well I couldn't say no could I . I could go on about how good I ended up being but I'll summarise it and say it was damn hard work and I never got past the first stages of trying to do doughnuts, which in its own way was cool seeing as when I was spinning out like crazy and acting like Terry Grant it was all under the watchful eye of Kumakubo , but to be fair the guy never showed signs of slitting his wrists or telling me to go home which was nice. On the other hand Sleepy was mastering it very well and ended up doing handbrake entries and figure of 8's, but in a way that was reflective of the Kumakubo style. On the final day I actually gave up any time I may have had to let Sleepy crack on, which was only right considering he was advancing more than I was. This was an ideal opportunity for Sleepy to get a perfect insight into how it should be done and the levels of skill it takes to do it correctly. Now thats not to say Sleepy cannot see what he needs to see from a judging perspective as he has had many many years of 4 wheel racing under his belt, is also a racing driver trainer/coach and has spent many a long day with the D1 judges. To summarise it was great being taught somewhat how to Drift and experience it first hand from the Worlds No.1. My respect has always been high for ALL the EDC drivers but to be immersed in professional Drifting and experience the way it should be done first hand has cemented that we are doing the right things in the way that we are doing them. Kumakubo also complimented us on the way we run EDC and the standards we set and expect in our competitions, basically its nice to know we are doing it the right way from the ground floor upwards. It's also amazing how all the top Japanese Drifters know each other and share information on whats going on, it's the same as over here really but they keep pure to the Drift essence and as much enjoy arsing around as being Pro drivers The Ebisu circuit itself is immense with a wide range or tracks and courses all built by Kumakubo and his team in the side of the mountains. It's actually a little bit mind blowing to see the set-up and facilities available and the realxed atmosphere in which everything goes on. Throughout the day street Drifters would appear, pay there £40 (roughly) and choose which track/circuit they wanted to go on, it's Drift nirvana-no doubt about it. Within the circuit is a zoo and safari park and on entry to the facility you first go past a couple of hippo's, some lamas a camel and a white tiger, then into the main facility which shares its monkey house, seal shows, dinosur experience, white snake pit etc., with the rest of the circuits. It's so surreal looking at some donkeys or walking monkeys and then suddenly see a Drift car or two driving past going from circuit to circuit . All in all the place has a special feeling to it which you cannot describe in words or pictures (which stupidly I took none of.) After Ebsiu I had other things/business to do in Japan and after I'd left I actually wished I had time to go back, cool place, cool people and I must and will return. I also took in a round of MSC at Nikko Circuit last Sunday (27th) just gone and that was a reat event. Real hardcore and great to see so many entries, all under the watchful eyes of Orido, Kazama and Tanaguchi. The event itself had lots of drivers and was broken into 3 classes - Amateur, Semi Pro and Pro. The format was different from the norm in that no competition Twin Drifting went on but all the same the qualifying and finals were exciting, with a great range of cars entered. They did have another competition and this was 3 car Team Drifting, which was absolutely superb. In a way MSC offers something previously not available to this extent in Japan and definetly has a future if they carry on the way they are. Don't get me wrong some of these guys ar just under the D1 level and so is their equipment. To be fair they are very very good but I would still put money on the EDC drivers to make a great challenge and walk away with the silver , well of course I'm going to say that All in all I could go on and on and on but just don't have the energy at this time but thought it only right to let you guys that are interested know what I had experienced and the way things are done from the ground floor up to the top in Japan. If anyone wants any information on Kumakubo and Ebisu then wait till this weekends Round 2 is over and I'll be glad to help with any information I can. Oh and before I go if anyones interested in experiencing Ebisu and/or MSC then let me know as arrangements can be made. Many thanks to Sleepy for making the trip superb by the way Gotta run............................... Glen Last edited by Glen : 28-05-2007 at 15:08.