EYB LITE 2023 - Sunday Coverage / January 10, 2024 by Matt Pham

EYB Lite or End of Year Bash hosted but NODRFT at NOLA Motorsports Park. EYB started on Friday and ended on Sunday. I was only able cover Sunday but everyone still going full out. It’s my favorite event of the year since everyone tends to go all out 100% and people from out of town come to drift. We had a crazy weather shift, Saturday was rather hot for this time of year. But Sunday was much different and more what you think of as winter temps. Not only was it cold but it was extremely windy that I had to fight when using the big lens.

It’s always a good time to catch up with everyone and meet new people. I hope with every passing year the EYB continues to grow bigger and bigger! These are some of my favorites from the day’s coverage.

The diverse types of cars and driving styles kept things interesting all day!

A lot of makes and models was represented.

What I was waiting for capturing images during sunset. Only during this time of year can I capture drifting during sunset and I had to make the most of it.

Round 2 / October 15, 2016 by Matt Pham

Back in NOLA for another round of drifting! Seems like forever since I've been back at the track and it felt good. I wanted to test some new gear and push myself more!

There was some familiar cars/faces but also some new comers! It's nice to see the local drift scene grow over the years.

One car I was excited to see was the R32 that someone picked up in between rounds!

He adjusted pretty well to drifting with his new set up.

So we got a little JDM but we also had some domestic represented as well!

Drifting is a young person thing? Think again! How about a grandpa that drifts his GTO! Locally known as "Drift Pa".

This event had a few Miatas drifting as well. Which is nice to break between the seas of 240s and 350z.

Here are some other interesting photos! Another event in the books, now time to wait for the next one. I had fun testing out my new gear and pushing the creative envelope.

Round 1 2016 / May 21, 2016 by Matt Pham

First event of the 2016 season and I wanted to do something special. So I decided to rent the new Nikon 200-500mm F5.6 and Nikon D4s. I heard a lot of good things about the 200-500mm and wanted to see for myself. It's true what everyone says. It's sharp and hard to believe it cost less than S1,500. I was warned it was heavy but I didn't find it all that heavy. Not something that you can hold all day but light enough to hold for brief bursts. The only thing I'm worried about is the lack of weather sealing. Lots of dust and being caught in the rain are my two main concerns. Besides that, this lens seems to be worth every penny that Nikon is asking for it. Now lets get to the images!

The only portrait I managed to take with the 200-500mm at F5.6 and look at the sharpness. Nikon worked some magic with this lens!

The extra reach helps fill the frame while the drifters are getting warmed up and adjusting to the course layout.

The course layout tends to change from event to event. 200mm can be wide enough to capture tandem runs.

The tight course really allows me to get up close and personal without me being in danger which is a plus.

I really wanted to push the limits and dropped my shutter down. 1/60 of a second is out of my comfort zone for a big telephoto lens like the 200-500mm. The results turned out better than expected.

Drivers have improved vastly over the years, tandems were one of the tougher things to capture. Drivers these days can get pretty close to each other which makes my job easier.

Smooth drivers make grabbing photos so easy.

The drifting version of "The Creation of Adam" painting by Michelangelo.

Got to love it when the drifters just create billows of smoke as they drift by.

The sun started to set and I wanted to switch things up. This is time for the D4s and 35mm to shine.

I've been on the hunt for this image for years and finally got something solid for the first time. The lens flare adds a slight cinematic feel as the sun slowly begins to set.

Again smooth driving makes for better photos and makes it so easy for me.

Gold 350Z during golden hour.

The last and final image before packing it up. Another successful event in the books. After being away for a few events, I enjoyed my time back on the track. Didn't get to ride along this time but there is always the next event. I have some plans mix things up for future events, so stay tuned!

Returning back to Import Face Off / March 16, 2014 by Matt Pham

I've been going to IFO on and off the past couple years. It has been two years since I've been and it was nice to see how the car scene developed.

Aftermath of a drifting exhibition, the track it rough on tires. They don't last too long when drifting. I even got a chance to ride along and experience it first hand while drifting.

Where there are nice cars, models aren't too far behind. These were getting a glimpse of the cars getting ready to line up for a quarter mile pass.

Not too often you see a super car like this Lamborghini Gallardo doing some pulls.

There were a bunch of show cars, but the one show car that caught my eye. Wasn't much of a show car but a purpose built race car. The interior was stripped, rollcage and light racing seats. It also tugged at some of my heart strings. I have a soft spot for Honda hatchbacks.

Stay Classy Slide Sockhop v2 / August 25, 2013 by Matt Pham

This was the first drifting event I attended with the new camera (D800) and was testing out a new camera bag. This event was the most fun I had at any event so far. All the drifters were putting their best effort!

Once I get some solid shots, I tend to swap out lenses. Play around with different focal lengths and shutter speeds. It keeps me on my toes and prevents me from getting "bored" of things. Here is an example of putting the 50mm to use.

Along with the drifting, there were also all kinds of cool cars just hanging out.

There was so many other photographers out there, it got pretty crowded at one point. We managed to work around it each other as best as possible.

The action got really intense as the day went on. How intense you may ask? In your face intense! This was plenty close enough for me.

It's hard for me to express how much fun I had at this event. Everyone was there for the same reason, some grassroots fun. I'm looking forward to see what happens at the next event. Until then see you next time!