This is something that I’ve wanted to do since I joined Driftworks 6 odd months ago – and hopefully you’ll find it interesting. A proper, in depth, detailed documented history of how, who, where, and why this place exists, and why we’re all still here over several parts and stages.
I joined Driftworks (the Forum) back in 2005 when Driftworks had been up and running as a standalone site for nearly a year. Previously, Driftworks was really just the Drifting section of the SXOC web forum of which Phil was a moderator. However when BMW’s, Mazdas and Toyotas, and other weird Nissans started joining up to chat about Drifting, it was decided that it was time to set up something bigger.
I had literally no clue as to what a hydro was, how to wear a Touge, where to buy some offset, how to fit an Option / Hot Version and I hadn’t watched a single episode of Initial D yet. I was confused, scared, and not sure if it was for me – I was quite happy lapping the Nurburgring (hence my username Ringer) which at the time felt far safer than throwing a car into a corner sideways at 70mph………
However, I kept coming back – enjoying watching the occasional short videos posted from a very young and empty YouTube – and over the next 6 years as the internet became cheaper and faster, I watched Driftworks grow and grow in strength. Now Driftworks is Europe’s (and close to one of the worlds) biggest dedicated Drifting websites. It’s a brand name in its own right, it’s shop turns over 7 figures a year, it has probably the most famous drift car in Europe in its stables and is run by the same group of friends from Team Night Spirit that arguably were there right at the very start of the European scene.
The Evolution of the ‘Dwaine’ logo throughout the years. There are still T-Shirts knocking around with the original logo!
And now, nearly 7 years later here we are. The DW website is evolving as we speak into something bigger and better to integrate you – the drifters – better together. A new shop is coming into place very soon to allow us to sell you hundreds more items that you actually need and want. The Blog has finally received a new breath of life and is now developing it’s own personality and gathering pace very quickly, and most of all, we’re all still as excited about the future of Drifting that we were 7-8, maybe 10 years ago.
So where did it all start? Well that’s what I want to cover over August in a series of archive posts detailing how Driftworks actually came about. There is no simple linear plot here either, there are several different strands, and I’m not actually going to post them in chronological order either – just to keep you on your toes. And so we may as well start at the start of Driftworks the Company for now, and we’ll cover stuff that’s even older another time. 😀
The photo you see below here was taken on the 15th of July 2004 at 5:30pm. This was the first time that Phil Morrison and James Robinsons cars officially became the Driftworks cars. The signature orange and black colour scheme that has stuck with Driftworks throughout it’s entire existence. This was taken just after the first set of decals were applied. I think you’ll agree they are nice and subtle. 😀
Want to know more? Stay tuned!
Black and Orange, why?
Blacks obvious as it’s the best colour for any car :D. I can’t remember why orange. I think I painted something like the brake calipers in orange and liked the contrast. I still do very much to be honest. It’s like a nasty insect.
Yeah, why orange, not green? 😀
“it’s shop turns over 7 figures a year.”
faaaaark in ellll. good work.
Nice reading, thanks 🙂
We can’t wait for the next installment, absolutely love this kinda stuff!
should be an awesome topic 😀
Sweet, that takes me back! :D. Building the car on the road through the rain and the snow 😀
I can’t wait for the next bit where we remove those massive stickers! Haha 😀
Also a point worthy of note is the stickers are .co.uk. Not long after this we managed to dupe one of thos rippoff foreign domain name companies into selling us driftworks.com by pretending to be a 14 year old kid that wanted it because it was his gamer tag :D. The URL is now apparently valued at around a million dollars :p
Hard work pays off.
good stuff Al.
only joined driftworks forum 2009 but been watching it since early 2007, been a big turn-around.
good luck with the future
Sweet , I joined about 2005 i think , I still had a shonky sierra…
Is the 7 figure turnover £1,000,000+ ?
Somewhere between 1m and £9,999,999 yeah ;). It sounds impressive to some, and when we first started the business is was kind of an unimaginable figure for myself leaving a 14k pa salary. However the fact is that’s not actually very much money in the grand scheme of things. Turnover is a very different thing to net profit, and when we reinvest so much back into business expansion, staff, the premises, and running the cars etc, let’s just say I won’t be buying my 80foot yacht just yet 😀
this colour scheme is the best ive ever seen 4 a drift team!!!!
Its also nice to go back and see it all from the start. Look forward to the next part.
awsome!
i need more, its great to read history about something yu love so much!
I see the black and orange kinda, murderlook with some uhmff!!
Ah memories, seeing that car passing me the other way most days on my way into Birmingham.
Keep it coming i love reading blogs like this, it shows the rest of us that hardwork will always pay off!
The Colour scheme is rocking and i love the decal on the Siliva!
10 interweb points guys 😀
Bring on part 2 I say…..
lol someone once told me ‘turnover is vanity, profit is sanity…’ but judging by Phil’s response it’s clear to see you guys still have your feet firmly planted on the ground and I think that’s why DW have got to where they have and command so much respect from the drifting community 🙂
Re-investing simply demonstrates your commitment rather than selling out or getting greedy and trying to raise prices significantly to fund glossy sales catalogues and alike. I still look to you guys for performance parts and that won’t change…
this really has got me excited about part 2… well written, and quite informative.
i wait with baited breath
koosh
Excellent, good to see a bit of how it begun for us who are not here for to long!
Cant wait for part two.
like the colors;) phils old car will come back in black next spring:))) we are almost ready after rebuilding the car after the engine seased upp:(( rudskogen norway septemper 2010 🙂
Now that takes me back. I still remember the first SXOC Top Speed Challenge where we had to have a word with some feller in a black S14a about doing donuts in the queue …….. 😀
Been gret to see DW grow over the years – long may it continue!
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Great article!
I remember that morning you both rocked up to Silverstone wearing the new stickers – there were a few of us that thought you were on to something big even then.