The 2003 D1 Grand Prix hosted the first pro competition on the inner bank of Irwindale Speedway, located in Southern California, earning it the now legendary name as the "House of Drift."
With an audience as diverse as the cars and the sport itself, Irwindale quickly became the first true "mecca" of U.S. domestic drifting.
Falken brought over Yoshinori Koguchi (S13) and Seigo Yamamoto (S14) to compete and demonstrate the exciting art and skill of drifting.
Drifting starts with a passion. It is capable of reaching higher levels when others share that emotion along with the need to compete at speed.
For many, motorsports at any level, starting at the grassroots of the sport, is acceptable, as long as there is someone to drift against.
In motorsports, factory or sponsor support is important, but without the independent entry - also known as the "privateer," many of whom received assistance and attention from Falken - the field of competition would be much smaller.
These drivers drift for the love of the sport.
Success in drifting starts with a dream, continues with a plan and culminates in preparation, skill, and dedication.
A few bumps occur along the way, but a financial commitment and a partnership with car and tire make that dream possible.
Since drifting's major public debut at Irwindale in 2003, media coverage elevated its nationwide popularity and the sport was quickly accepted as a full-fledged professional series with one of the fastest growing fan bases of any automotive-related activity.
Journalists went crazy over the concept of "controlled chaos," with many receiving rides and training in the skill of drifting, which ultimately led to further international coverage.
This spawned additional competition and driver participation.
The result? Drifting grew at an exponential rate.
Drifting has grown tremendously since 2003, with competitions held all over the world that draws in and features world-class, masterful talent along with their heavily modified and stylish machines designed to push the limits of the sport.
