We held the Drift Challenge in Shiga at RC SHOP MECCA, located in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture. RC SHOP MECCA has hosted the Drift Challenge every year since two years ago, and it has become a circuit that sees a high number of participants in both AWD and RWD classes for every event.
The layout was counter-clockwise, a standard configuration where drivers pick up speed from the exit and shoot straight toward the judging stand. What became important this time was the initiation point. Because the line differed slightly from what the drivers were used to, even the regular drivers struggled to post high scores in the morning. However, since the Drift Challenge provides plenty of free practice time, many competitors mastered the judging line by the time the afternoon qualifiers and finals arrived, with many participants delivering high-level runs one after another.
During the lunch break, we held a test-drive session for the YD-2 EX. We received many comments from participants in the test-drive session, including existing YD-2 users, such as "It's easy to handle" and "It's hard to spin out." Once again, the test cars were set up exactly according to the setup sheet included with the YD-2 EX, and the car's adaptability to each circuit was highly praised.
Concours d'Elegance
Mr. De Morais Alexandre
■ AWD Expert Class
Winner: Mr. Gorugo
2nd Place: Mr. Shinkun
3rd Place: Mr. SADA
The AWD class was held as an Expert Class only. Since there was only one class this time, we held a repechage round, allowing 10 drivers to compete in the finals instead of the usual top 8. Mr. Gorugo and Mr. Shinkun were the ones who fought their way up through the repechage. The starting order for the finals was set so that the top qualifier went last, meaning the two repechage winners had to go first. Both of them immediately scored 99.0 points. Many subsequent drivers also scored in the high 90s, but none could reach the 99.0 mark. In the end, Mr. Gorugo won the championship based on the second point difference. Mr. Shinkun took 2nd place, and Mr. SADA, who consistently scored high throughout, took 3rd.
■ RWD Beginner Class
Winner: Mr. Mitsuru Sakai
2nd Place: Mr. Kiyoshi Hirose
3rd Place: Mr. Tobi
The level of the RWD Beginner Class has also improved dramatically in recent years. When the RWD class was first established, many drivers would spin out, but with the rapid evolution of drivers and machines, almost no one spins out now, and more drivers are showing aggressive runs with high drift angles. In particular, the top 3 drivers put on a fantastic performance that rivaled that of the Expert Class. Other competitors also scored over 90 points, making for a thrilling final.
■ RWD Expert Class
Winner: Mr. TAKUMI
2nd Place: Mr. Yusuke
3rd Place: Mr. JABA
The Expert Class was held immediately following the RWD Beginner Class. As expected, the Expert Class featured a high level of both speed and drift angle. A major point of focus in the judging this time was the "vertical throw" with a high drift angle, which is extremely difficult to pull off in RWD. Mr. TAKUMI showed an amazing run under such strict judging criteria. Through practice sessions, qualifiers, and the finals, he consistently drove aggressively to secure his first victory.
Tsuiso (Tandem) Exhibition Match held after the single-run finals. Starting this year, the Drift Challenge includes an AWD/RWD Tsuiso Exhibition Match where all participants can experience tandem drifting, not just single runs.
AWD Tsuiso Exhibition Match
Winner: Mr. KANDA
RWD Tsuiso Exhibition Match
Winner: Mr. TAKUMI
RC SHOP MECCA http://mecca5050.com/