Formula Drift Irwindale 2024
This is kind of a tough post for me to write the more that I think about it. As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, FDIRW is no more. Irwindale Speedway will be closing at the end of the year and the final round of FD is, as of now, a question mark. That is sad by itself, but for me it's a bit bittersweet because this was my first time shooting inside the fence as media. I have been coming to Irwindale for about 10 years but always shot from publicly accessible spots and never pursued obtaining a media credential.
Shooting cars has always been a side thing purely for the passion and fun. Last year I was shooting(through the fence as usual) and noticed Yogi shooting nearby and mentioned that I was a big fan of his work. We chatted for a few and he followed me back on Instagram. He dug my fashion work and over the course of the next year we remained in touch via Instagram. While hanging out at the Rays Tribute meet I mentioned that I want to get more into doing automotive work and he said he’d give me a shot shooting Irwindale. He would be having a booth for his new venture Inprint(go buy a print from him, tell him I sent you) and could use a hand with helping to cover the Team Nitto drivers. I was honored, nervous, and excited. Because of that, this post will be a little Nitto heavy. But I did shoot pretty much everyone.
Shooting the event was a lot of fun. After shooting practice and Seeding Bracket on Friday, I started feeling a little more comfortable and confident. In hindsight of course there’s things I wish I would have done differently. But overall I’m pretty satisfied with my first time really giving it my all.
On the subject of giving it my all, I’ve been trying to step up my panning game. As far as I know, this shot of Ryan Litteral is the slowest pan I’ve managed to be satisfied with thus far. 1/13 at 500mm. I like the contrast between the super high rear wheel speed and the locked up front from left-foot braking.
More cars need to dump their wastegates out of their hoods. Rad Dan knows what’s up.
The moon was absolutely mental at this round.
I’m such a huge fan of both Ken Gushi and Kazuya Taguchi. I obviously have a lot of Japan bias. I’m not even sorry for it. I am super bummed that Kazuya won’t be competing next year.
Hiroya will have to carry the torch for the motherland. I’m confident he will only get better and better.
Now that the smoke has dissipated and we are in the thick of SEMA, I have to say, I’m excited for next season. I truly hope there’s more opportunities to continue to shoot FD in any capacity. Again, so many thanks to Yogi for the opportunity. I hope to collaborate with him more in the future. And as usual, the rest of the gallery down below.
