The news of Keiichi Tsuchiya and Daijiro Inada leaving the D1 Series over differences with the D1 Corporation was quite a big blow to drifting but then came the saving grace that the dynamic duo would be starting up their own drift series that spelt some competition for D1 and the promise of more focus on the grassroots was just what the sport needed in its native land as things have descended into a mega-horsepower and super entry-speed contest lately.
Now there’s more development on that part with confirmation from them that the new series will indeed kick off this year with five rounds already penned in on the calendar. The new series will be called the Drift Muscle series and although it doesn’t have anything to do with muscle cars and is definitely not a high-horsepower game.
There will be two main classes, Muscle for the amateurs and Super Muscle for the experts. The most interesting part is the schedule that is already confirmed for this year.
Round 1: 8th May, Nihonkai Maze Circuit
Round 2: 6th June, Bihoku Highland Circuit
Round 3: 17th July, Nikko Circuit
Round 4: 10th October, Suzuka Twin Circuit
Round 5: 3rd November, Sportsland Sugo West Course
True to his words, the calendar promises more grassroots action with tighter courses that are a total shift away from the current D1 horsepower and entry-speed wars. The West Course at Sugo features the infamous ‘extreme dirt drop’ kart track that was first used in the beginning of D1. That corner has been widened a little though since then but don’t expect much change in drifting style over there.
Even the Bihoku and Nikko courses are tighter and focus more on technique rather than all out power and speed. The move will surely attract more fans from the grassroots level apart from roping in the current D1 fans as well.
Keiichi has promised that the information and regulations regarding the series will be up soon in the next couple of days and that should give us a clearer picture of the series and its direction.
Source: 7Tune and Noriyaro
