Provoke Emotion - Capture Passion
First and foremost, I just want to say a massive thank-you to Shawn and Cecilia, they are the master minds behind Spec-D. Dedicated to the craft, these two incredible individuals dump every ounce of energy, every resource they have, they give it their all to make Spec-D what it is today, and to help grow the Canadian drift scene in Alberta/BC. Now I can’t forget to say a big thank you as well to their amazing hardworking team, you all know who you are, and their sponsors, thank you to all of you for everything you do with helping make these events what they are.
This was my 3rd year of being involved with Spec-D for their Round 2 event at Mission Raceway in Mission, BC. Each year just keeps getting better and better, but apparently I forgot to post last years gallery, so I’ll get on that. Aside from that! Round 2 this year was visually appealing, and the driving was top notch, these two elements go hand in hand for a successful event. The cars were looking great, I felt like for this year people have really stepped up their game for the looks of their cars. Everything felt more professional, not only that, but the sense of passion is really starting to show again in this scene too. Drifting is a spectator motor sport, and when you have great looking cars that are backed up by talented driving, it all just clicks.
As the progression continues to evolve each year, it gives a good feeling to the future of competitive drifting in this neck of the woods. With the lack of tracks around these days, Mission raceway is becoming more and more of a special place to host such events. Having a location such as Mission Raceway for round 2 to happen at, feels like a match made in heaven, with its extremely photogenic environment, high speed course layout that’ll really test your abilities, and overall a very large venue that leaves the door open for many more possibilities to grow this event and make it the perfect spot for events such as this one. What Mission Raceway has with Spec-D, is truly something special for greater and bigger things in the future as this event continues to grow.
Chris Pollard and Matt Rusiecki battling it out in the final 4
Now as much as I’d like to dive into an event recap, I feel like I don’t have all the main coverage to curate a proper story about what went down. These days I just find myself enjoying the time catching up with friends that I only cross paths with a few times a year, snap some pictures of them doing what they love, dish out some quality high fives and hugs. I’m just here to have a fun time doing what I love, and that’s to capture my friend’s chasing their passion. So this “recap” if you will, is going to be more weighted towards myself just talking about my time at round 2.
A full house for the main event.
As always, come competition day the atmosphere changes ever so slightly. The fun factor is still there from practice/qualifying the day prior, just that competitive spirit is ever more so present. There’s a good aura felt as you first show up in the morning, the lbdj already has some tunes jamming over the sound system, crews are busy getting last minute repairs and adjustments dialed in on cars, the drivers are hyped to get out there and begin the battle for top spot, and media is busy running around trying to capture all the moments before it’s business time on track, it’s a well oiled machine that doesn’t skip a beat. Then the gates open to the public, and the excitement starts to set in.
Drivers autograph session.
There’s something to be said about a driver’s meet and greet, I feel like it’s few and far between of a sight to be seen in other motorsports, aside from some others having open access for spectators in the pits during their events, or limited access for spectators to interact with the teams and drivers. As where drifting is a very community involved motorsport with its spectators, I feel like that is a very important aspect to have, it doesn’t close off the drivers being able to interact with the spectators or vise versa, there’s a very warm welcoming feeling being able to have these personal interactions, to have these moments of appreciation, where conversations are had and high fives are given. As I mentioned earlier on, drifting as a whole is a spectator motorsport, and Spec-D has it all.
Day 3 of 3, Sundays brodown event
Stepping away from the competition part of the event for a moment, is Sunday’s Brodown event. After two days of practice/qualifying on day one, then day two is followed up with more practice and the main competition, day 3 brings the Brodown event. Spec-D’s round two is a 3 day action packed event, and on day 3 it turns into a great mix of grassroots drivers out there getting down with the pro’s. Again looping back to community involvement, day 3 allows for everyone who’s signed up, to be out there just having a great time. It’s great to see some guys in the grassroots scene get out there with the pro drivers and just fit right in.
Over my years of being involved with drifting, not only with Spec-D, just drifting in general. I’ve made many so many friends from this community over those years, and one thing that I love seeing, are my friends achieving their goals and just doing big things. Seeing your friends grow and excel at what they love doing, is truly an amazing feeling, being able to catch those moments too is what makes all the grinding and hard work worth it. Those are the moments that’ll live on forever suspended in time, it’s at these moments I love doing what I do the most. Tristan, big dawg, my guy, this is your moment, enjoy your victory, the fruits of your labor, and what’s to come. “Much love my man”.
From left to right: Jesse, Shaun, Tony
I’ll wrap things up here with my final few thoughts from Round 2 at Mission Raceway. What Spec-D is doing in and for the drift community here in Bc and Alberta is huge, they’re putting on incredible events (competitive and grassroots) that are done properly, the passion is there from them, they’re heavily invested into this community and just want to see things become bigger and better as time goes on. With all the organizations state side that run drift events, and how extremely popular drifting is in the states, I feel like Spec-D is the perfect body to be taking competitive/grassroots drifting to the next level in Western Canada, along with representing the scene. I’d love to see drifting grow here to the level that it is in the states, it just takes the right people and platforms to help do so, and the community in Western Canada definitely has what it takes to push that growth.
I just hope that tracks in these areas can see what the bigger picture can lead to, as drifting continues to grow and gain popularity in Western Canada. There are only so many places left now within Bc and Alberta for motorsports, especially Bc. Mission Raceway has become the central hub for drifting in Bc, that track has something extremely special going on, and can be “the” spot that helps grow this community as well. Seeing Mission Raceway expand their track space over the last few years for drifting, gives great hope for a big and bright future within the scene as well. So with my final words, Spec-D keep doing what you’re doing for the drifting community in Bc and Alberta, you are what this community needs. On behalf of myself and many others in the scene, thank you for everything that you do.
