There’s a good reason I get so geeked up about grass roots drifting, and in particular the Sonoma Drift series here at Race Sonoma, in the San Francisco Bay area of California. All the people involved, including the drivers, event organizers and the hundreds of fans that come to each event, give this series everything they’ve got every time they come out.   There’s a deeper passion here for drifting, and for the scene in general. Only forty slots are available each Wednesday during the Sonoma Drift season, and every week there is a wait list usually at least a dozen cars deep.  That’s commitment.  Then, twice a year, there’s a big blowout: Summer Jam and Winter Jam.

There are a few smaller events in the points series but these are the two big shows of the year.

The guys who show up here have something to prove, and an eye towards doing this professionally.  And with only sixteen cars making the show, there’s a dozen or more guys going home with their tail firmly tucked between their legs.  Even with the broken hearts, there is no quit.  These competitors will be back as soon as the Wednesday night program fires back up in the spring, doing their best to improve their skills and try again next summer.

Here are some of my favorites from Sonoma Drift Winter Jam.

Lifting the right front just a tad.
Lifting the right front just a tad.
S Chassis
Clean S Chassis
Donovan Brockway
Donovan Brockway takes out a cone.  Don’t hate the cone.  Embrace the cone.
Animal Style
Palmer Sanderson – Animal Style
Super Slide
Super Slide
Donovan Brockway
Donovan Brockway getting it done in a hurry.
S Chassis make smoke
S Chassis coupe make smoke
Animal Style
Palmer Sanderson Follows – Animal Style
Joe Tardiff
Joe Tardiff.
WTCC (and Formula Drift verteran) Charles Ng, and current formula Drift star, Matt Field have a chat at the drivers meeting.
WTCC (and Formula Drift verteran) Charles Ng, and current formula Drift star, Matt Field have a chat at the drivers meeting.
Turbo
I think his name is Turbo
Donovan Brockway
Donovan Brockway
2nd place overall, Crick Filippi.
2nd place overall, Crick Filippi.  Crick admits the car is looking a little the worse for wear.  But says he’ll have her all fixed up and looking good for the new season.
Joe Tardiff gets a little over aggressive and hope the curb in the second round.  He would not advance.
Joe Tardiff gets a little over aggressive and hops the curb in the second round. He would not advance.
Donovan Brockways awesome E30 BMW
Donovan Brockways awesome E30 BMW.  Yea Buddy.
3rd place vehicle
3rd place vehicle.  S Chassis of Kodi Rosado
Having a laugh
Having a laugh.  L to R: Crick Filippi, Donovan Brockway and Kodi Rosado
Your Podium
Your Podium: Donovan Brockway, Crick Filipi and Kodi Rosado

Here’s the rest of the gallery:

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