Another Drift race of the season for the books – and a disappointing turn of events for Team Falken.

I just got back from Seattle a few days ago where I was out shooting for Falken once again for Formula Drift. This time around I was on my own covering the weekend’s events since the the rest of the creative staff was in Canada for the ALMS race. And while I got plenty of great photos from the weekend, the actual race itself didn’t go all too well for the team.

I arrived much earlier than I normally would for a race. I selected a super-early flight for some reason… I was trying to remember why I chose a 630a flight when I was just going up north to Seattle versus cross-country. Typically I seem to handle a lot of the far-away races for Falken. So that means long flights, and lots of travel on my part.
But for the life of me and I can not remember why I chose an early flight that put me in Seattle an entire day early.

No bother though, it was a chance to test out the extra Sony camera gear I brought along.

Thursday for me was a long day… not because I was busy, but because I wasn’t. I wasn’t there to work, so I was just hanging out. I didn’t bring my rental car since I rode with the team. Which left me plenty of time to do whatever I wanted. So, I shot around and took a ton of Behind the Scenes kind of photos of the guys setting up. Getting to know the crew is honestly one of the best parts of my job. Sure, taking pictures is great, but meeting and talking to everyone is seriously the best part. Whether it’s BS’ing with the crew during setup, asking the mechanics about what they’re doing and hearing them explain their job, or sitting at dinner talking with Dai about racing (his job), photography (my job), or fitness (mutual interest), it’s just plain amazing that this is what I get to do for a living.

But anyway, you came here for photos… so, read on!
Tons of images after the break from Setup, Practice, and Race Day. Also, Falken said “go ahead and play with lighting”… so, the photos are a bit different than I normally take.

 

Day 1 – Set up, Thursday

Getting set up on Thursday, long before the fans show up. This is also the time you see every from the teams walking around saying hi to friends on other teams.

Justin’s engine bay is spotless

It was hot out when the crew was setting up all the shades

Wheels upon wheels… the team is constantly mounting and cleaning all these

Working on Justin’s Mustang. Anyone who’s had to do work like this under the dash knows how annoying and painful it is to lay like this in their car and deal with wires/etc.

KW Suspension came by and was making sure everything was within spec.

HPI Racing got in to start setting up their booth.

The most important part of the day… trying to figure out what food is nearby to order for lunch…

Driver meeting to walk the track

 

This was funny, but totally important… the square for the cone was more of a rectangle… which affected where it could be placed by about 4-6 inches and the drivers wanted clarification on exactly how close it would be placed.

I really needed a fisheye for this… we had six people on our cart. Darren is hanging off the front, Dai off the side, and me and Justin are standing on the back! hahaha

During practice that afternoon I was mostly using the Sony gear I was given by Sony to test. But I still took these with my DX since I had my gear with me on the track as well.

There was a break since a crash on the track stopped practice. Darren actually got out of his car and went to chat with Dai.

They were sitting and discussing driving styles on this course (I believe).

Spotted! hahaha

 

Day 2 – Practice Day, Friday

The mornings always start with the cars on jacks… adjustments to be made after yesterday’s practice rounds

Mike, checking alignment

I went over to Vaughn’s rig to say hello and ask him to sign a print that I made from a shot I took at New Jersey a few weeks beforehand.

Darren and Justin laughing and hanging out before the driver meeting that afternoon

Aasbo, and the other drivers grid up for practice that afternoon

Dai was hugging that wall on his practice laps

Ryan went hard into the wall and did some major damage to his front end

Daigo also went hard into the wall and crunched his rear end

Dai didn’t fare too well either after hitting the wall as well.

Dai, getting buckled in and ready to drive

Darren pulled up to Dai and had a whole conversation about order of driver and who’s next completely with hand signals instead of talking.

Not every track has nice light during sundown… really depends on how the track was designed and which direction West is, haha.

Under the lights though night practice was looking pretty cool

 

Day 3 – Race Day, Saturday

Saturday’s morning driver meeting.

The models arrived and were lookin at the schedule figuring out plans for the day.

I swear the drivers must just think “There’s John with his damn camera taking my picture again…” haha

Julie, meeting and greeting fans

Randyl

and Katie

DJ Peewee

Afternoon practice starting up. Still overcast out

“There go, that’s one for the sponsors!” -Darren, when I showed him this photo after his run.

I felt like I was really on it with some of my shots this weekend though. Also the guys were all driving really smooth through their lines on the track. So that makes things much easier for me, too, when we’re all out shooting.

Back at the rig things were getting a little busier. It was still early though so most of the crowd had yet to arrive.

Me and Julie!

Look at that line to meet Katie and get a poster!

And the “sign up for the raffle” line was poppin’ too

Darren laughing with fans and signing autographs

Me and Randyl

Had to get a shot with Darren, too. hahaha!

And me and Katie! I wasn’t expecting to see her again this season!

Say what you like about me taking pics with everyone, but you know what… this is the only way I get photos I’m in at the races. haha

Me and DJ PeeWee

Bil Baldwin was wandering around all weekend too. Got a shot with him as well.

The stands are packed as the last practice is about to start

Patrick, showin that clipping point some love. I’m amazed how close these guys can get to that wall without worrying about hitting it

Back at the Falken rig it’s time to do the drawing and find winners for the raffle

Screaming contest with everyone to see which side was louder

“Who do you guys think was louder?”

Julie, workin’ her backpack and modeling it for everyone

Back out on the track with Henry and Narissa. Opening ceremonies are about to get started.

Waiting for the final four to start… lots of down time that evening it seemed like.
Shortly after I realized that Darren was out due to a broken transmission (if I recall), so I walked back to the rig.

One last shot with Dai and Justin before heading out that night. I’ve had a great time with these guys this season. Spent four races around them, three specifically working for Team Falken. It’s been great to get to know them better, shoot with the team, and travel around race to race. Hopefully I’ll get out to Irwindale to at least hang out with everyone one more time before the year is out.