drifting

EYB LITE 2023 - Sunday Coverage /  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.

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 2 /  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!

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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.