drift

Return to drifting and No Problem Raceway /  by Matt Pham

It’s hard to believe that the last drift event I went to was EYB 2019. Fast foward to near the end of 2021 and drifting is back…at a different track. No Problem Raceway is where I got my “start” so it has a special place in my heart. I had to re-familiarize myself with the track and photographing drifting again. All of that didn’t really matter cause it felt good to be behind the camera again!

Shaking off the rust means using the down to practice even if its the street sweeper cleaning off the track.

After years of not shooting here, I had to re-familiarize myself with the track. I didn’t have a lot of locations to choose from so I picked one that gave me the most options. The 200-400mm was enough to cover most of the track. I’ll need to pick up more ND filters because I couldn’t find the one for the 70-200mm.

This was also the first real opportunity to push the limits of the D5. The D800 is a great camera but the higher frame rate of the D5 is hard to beat. I don’t think I would’ve captured this dirt drop sequence on the D800.

Variety is what makes it interesting for me. Drifting Corvettes are on the rise but aren’t too common like a 350z or S chassis. But one car that is completely unique is a Lexus LS430 drifting. That’s something you really don’t see getting sideways.

Got to show the people behind the cameras as well.

Here I end with my favorite image of the day. I can’t wait for more drifting in 2022!

NODRFT Private Event 2018 /  by Matt Pham

The track was busy, nothing only was there drifting but the Xtreme Xperience was also going on at the big track. Took the chance to get some exotic cars rip it around the track!

The action was about as hot as the temperature!

Chris Brandt Fest 2018 /  by Matt Pham

Round 1 /  by Matt Pham

I'm actually late putting this post up,since Round 2 is around the corner at the end of the month. But I wanted to take my time and think this through. Something tragic struck the local drifting community, they lost one of their own. I didn't know him personally, but he did know a lot of the drifters and others involved in the community. My favorite thing about being apart of this community is how close everyone is. Everyone is willing to help out and there aren't any egos. Everyone is out to have a good time getting sideways!

After the silent lap, everyone was ready to try out the new course layout. Get some laps in before competition started in the afternoon.

After a few hours of baking in the sun, I retreated for some shade and hang out in the pits. Take a break from the harsh Louisiana heat.

After a short break, I went to another location to get some images from another perspective. At the same time, I took the opportunity to switch lenses. I spent most of the morning using a 35mm and swapped to a 70-200mm since I was further out.

You  would think being further out is safer than being inside the course. But the craziest event happened. A driver clipped a taller cone then needs to be weighed down. He took the cone out and slung the weight over the railing into the fencing. To top it all off, it obliterated his bumper in the process. Pretty insane seeing that happen through my camera.

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Before I knew it, it was time to get the competition started. There was so many close calls, which meant for more runs until there was a definite winner. It was pretty intense, the cars and drivers were matching up really well. 

Here are the winners for Round 1! Third place to the white S13 on the right, second to the BMW on the left and the winner with the SC300 in the middle. That pretty much sums up the day! Another great drift event in NOLA.

Stay Classy Slide Sockhop v2 /  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!