Ric watching his hard work come to bloom.

I first met Ric through a mate a year ago, at that time he was starting a Club and school for the Experienced, Beginner and those that wanted to learn to drift. After getting to know Ric a lot more, I noticed that he is a very passionate man about drifting and has quite a history with it, he has gotten so far as to building drift cars for the Irwindale Race Track in the USA, something though that was cut shot cause of the horrid financial crisis taking place now in the world, he has even been responsible for organizing some of the first drift events here and there in Australia. So i thought it would be a great opportunity to catch up with Ric see what he has to say and what he has planned for 2009 and beyond.

Project D Sil80

DK: When was the school started?
Ric: February 2008, officially.

DK: What was your reason for starting it up?
Ric: I felt it was a good way to get the kids off the street (as in street drifting) as it was becoming dangerous. Also to give people help with their technique and skill for entering drift competitions. I saw a void and an opportunity. A lot of people told me I was stupid for doing it, but so far its worked out really well

DK: How does the class work?
Ric: Our classes are aimed at ppl from 15yrs old and older, and that can drive a manual car. People that are interested just need to check out our website or call us to book themselves in for a class, show up on the day with pants and long sleeve. The day starts at 8:45am with a drivers briefing, with a overview on what basic techniques we will be teaching and the layout of the track. Because we have only 2 cars at this stage we have a minimum of 10 people and max 12 people, obviously split between the two cars. The cars are both Silvia’s sporting SR20DET with approx 185RWKW. Lunch is provided from 12:30-1pm on the day . The day sadly finishes at 4:15pm. There is a 3rd car there on the day that is driven by Pro driver where the class mate will only be a passenger just for the experience of where their skills can progress to.

Ric at Oran Park busting some orders

Photo By: L.A.C Photography

DK: Where do your classes take place?
Ric: Oran Park and as of 2009 Eastern Creek

DK: Who are the Project D teachers?
Ric: Andrew Hawkins from Ignition, Azar, Daniel Row and Anthony Bilic

DK: So we have spoken about the school a bit so whats your back ground in drifting?
Ric: None.. Haha.. Well drifting started to show its head about 5-6 years ago, around that time we brought in a car from Japan that was fully set up for drifting which was a S13 and went to QLD to compete, we had two drivers driving it just to see what sort of abuse it could take and what would happen with in a year of driving. I’ve been around the traps for awhile and I have setup events here and there. I have had good and bad outcomes from this, but I’m still here and I love the drifting scene.

DK: Where do you see drifting in 5years time?
Ric: I think for drifting to really work here in Aus they really need to take the same concept as New Zealand. The Government and Council to be more helpful and understanding to our sport just like NZ this would help so we can develop more as sport. I’m really unsure as to where it will go in that time period as long as the sport isn’t bastardized I think it could really go well regardless of DA’s current position.

DK: How do you compare the QLD drift scene to the NSW scene?
Ric: I feel, or I felt a year or two ago, that QLD was heading in the right direction but I feel that they have slowed down a lot now. I feel that NSW has more opportunity’s than the QLD scene, but there are a lot more events in QLD then anywhere else in Australia.

DK: You have other track days for students that have more confidence and more skilled drivers, how often to they happen and how does that work?
Ric:Usually once a month we give the learners a chance to come out in their own cars and anyone else that wants to give it a go in their own cars, But we have our own cars there on the day just to give people help and a idea of what goes on inside a drift car when piloted by one of the top drivers.

A usual view of a Project D Skid Pan Day.

DK: Why do you do it?
Ric: I do it for the enjoyment of our students happiness and excitement when they link our track for the first time with tires blazing.

DK: Have you had many success stories of students?
Ric: Yes one person in particular his name is Locky, weve had lots fo great drivers come from nothing but Locky has become so good from our classes and days he is now competing in 2009. We also have a female driver Shiri who is now building a dedicated drift car which she will use for competing. Though in saying that not everyone has to go that far. Drifting is a great way to learn how to control a car.

DK: Now you are also setting up a shop what does this shop intale?
Ric: We will be selling body kits, doing drift setups for cars, importing parts basically your one stop shop for drifting.

Sil80 getting a hiding from a Student

Photo By: L.A.C Photography