DRIFTSQUID Hits Tectaloy International DRIFT COMP!!!!

Hey Guys and Girls,

If you came from the previous blog you will know Crew member 'Bones' and I have been fairly busy getting things ready. We are now into the main event and we are pumped!!!!

FRIDAY 4th August 2011,

Lee Boehm rolled in to Sydney last night who is also part of the crew and now we only had Marc and Luke to arrive today so all was going to be fine. As the event was based on Time attack our drifting was in the late afternoon/night time. We had all day to check over the car and go over the whole event, not that I can say I did as I was too busy running around on a forklift haha.

We had the car on display all day for the people to check out. I must say the new Hi Octane Performance Coating is unreal!! What do you think of the new engine bay????

We were then told that a couple of us drivers could do some demo runs during the afternoon. Without hesitation the crew put some second hand rubber on ready for some skidzzzz

I hadn't been on eastern creek raceway since 2008 where WheelWorx helping me out for a Super Drift round. That was in my old sil80 (200rwkw) and I didn't get many runs at all. Was a bummer but I'm here now and I couldn't wait to mix it up with the new setup and power my car has.

The track layout is fairly simple. Flat out all the way up to 4th and then a right hand corner into two lefts which you should be able to link up into one big left hander. Here goes!!!

So the first corner is 4th gear flat out and in the first sessions I was just finding my feet.

Then coming out of the first corner into the second you have to pop it back to 3rd and lose a lot of pace. The sounds of going over ripple strips should make you aware your killing it ;-)

Then linking the first left corner with the second requires a heavy right foot haha... Hug the inside for a little.........

Then exit the 2nd left corner wide onto the ripple strip for the perfect run. Runs over haha!!

Quick wave on exit :P

Madmike, Beau and myself thought we would try fitting in a quick tandem run. I slowed down for them to all catch up so we could all rip it up for the final run!!!

THICK NEOVA SMOKE!!!

Chalking all the way up the rise on the final corner!!!

Yeeeeeeewww!!!

After that fun we went back in the pits and we had people flocking around the cars. Mainly due to Mikes 4 rota crazy town FD but still we had a huge amount of people checking the cars out. It was awesome!!!

So Luke quickly got the posters which I signed away like crazy haha

After the demos we had a fair amount of time to relax and do a few interviews. Alexi here from japan who also runs the website NORIYARO came and asked a few questions. After a couple takes we got it hahahaha


We now had time to check the car over again and get ready for the nights practice and qualifying runs. We also got slightly distracted by a few things :O

O_O

We were chilling back having a good old time hahaha

Back to the car haha, it wasn't long before we had to hit the track but just before we did Ian Baker came over with a full headset kit. One thing I have never run is a radio so I could keep in contact with the crew. Now I can say its the BEST thing ever. Makes life so much easier and honestly think its the reason I got used to the track so quickly.

It was now time to qualify and this has been my strong point recently. I was keen on doing a few practice runs and then hitting a qualifying lap later but I never ever do that. I usually just jump straight into the Qualifying line and get 1 over and done with haha... This time was a little different but I quickly jumped into the Qualifying lane while it was empty and got ready.

"Never lift and treat it like nothing can possibly break"

Entry was crazy quick with the ADVAN Neovas gripping up like nothing I've ever been on before. Slight tap of hand-brake and Straight to Opposite lock. Foot flat and don't lift!!!!!!!

Back off and make the switch happen hard and fast!! Cog the PPG gearbox back to 3rd and once you hear the rear end hit the ripple strips Hold that right foot through the floor!!!

Hold it just about flat the whole way round till you exit the second right hander with the ripple strips shaking the heck out of the car you know you've done well!!! Wooooooooooop I was pumped with that first one! (Marc on Radio - "Squid you just bumped up to top spot on the qualifying list but don't get too happy, you're the 3 person to go hahaha")

It was now time to go all out all just give it everything I had as I had nothing to lose. So I didn't even go up for a practice lap, I went straight into the line up for a qualifying run again. But this time the line up was huge, I would have waited for around 10 to 15 Min's for I got up to do the second run.

I had the same intention to just go completely all out this time and try beat the first one. Entry was even quicker and the transition was super quick. Smashing the ripple strips and then on the switch to the first left hander with full power well before the apex made it so much quicker through to the final corner.

Having the huge speed into the last corner allowed me to just keep it on the gas. With the Neovas on their last legs I started pushing wide but didn't mind as the run off was only dirt. But I was wrong!!! haha after all the dirt drops the run off just before the last ripple strip was a big drop. I hit it hard and only dropped the 1 wheel off to finish the run. Marc went nuts on the radio and I was stoaked haha

Coming back to the pits with nothing but a stupidly big smile on my face. I was fairly happy with the run and knew I would be in the top 16.

It was then announced and I recieved the paper with my name up the top on the list. Jake Jones #1 yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!!!!

After the guys got back to the pits we got the car all ready for the morning and couldn't wait for Saturday to hurry up haha. Beers were on now!!!

SATURDAY 5th August 2011,

After a nights thought we decided to change a couple things on the car so after we did that

we cleaned the car and got it ready to rumble and seeing we didn't have anything happening till demos during the afternoon it was back on display.

Damn I love the new look!!

While we had time Luke and I went over to see old mate Nigel Petrie. Everyone knows Nigel and his Awesome hilux build (CLICK HERE TOO SEE MORE - ITS INSANE!!) . Nigel has been a good mate of mine since back in the day and I actually have the first ever set of Knuckles Nigel made. As soon as I got them I made a name for Nigel "NP Wonder Knuckles" and its stuck since that day. If you are ever in need of motivation check out the kids site... it helps me ;-) Love ya work Nigel!!

We came back after a quick scout to get ready for the demo's

Good mate and also Team mate for the weekend MADMIKE WHIDDETT yo!!!!!! We suited up and posed for a while hahaha

Mikes an awesome bloke but when his car is just idling next to mine it drives me mad hahaha... I cant even hear mine and always think its not running!!! Love that damn 4 rota!!!



Just about to head out for the last demos and I was pumped!!!

Just love the exit of Eastern creeks layout. Full tap'd throttle and bake what ever gear you want :P haha

The demos were over and ADVAN put on a signing session for the Team ADVAN which was Mike and Myself. I was thinking it was going to be full on but not this full on!!! O_o

Mike has done this many times before and had his scribble down pat and damn quick haha... I was lacking behind!!

MadMike Whiddett and Jake Driftsquid Jones!

Yeeeew!!!"back to work squid"

Picture please!!!!

 I was having a ball haha. As full on as it was it was so surreal to experience a full on signing session. Mike was saying what its like in the US and I thought this was crazy :S

The people started to slow down and lucky as we almost ran out of posters haha. Now that would suck!!!

Lucky me even got a pic with the Famous SAMMY STEVENS!!!!!

Photographer "Squid, Pictures with Promo girls"
Jake "yes please"
Photographer "No I mean they are waiting"
Jake "Sweeeeeet haha, yo cromey jump in!!!"

haha

ADVAN Australia really don't do things by halfs!!!

The people who make it possible for me to Drift!!! From left to right.... Luke Bing, Jason BONES Baker, Lee Boehm, Marc Guyatt and Squid!

The coolest TEAM ever!!! Like this photo alot and seriously have so much time for all the dudes in this pic!!

Team ADVAN yoooo!!!



It was now time to get back to the pits and get ready for the big comp tonight!!!

As I was suiting up Mozza the maniac came over for a qucik chat with MeZ the camera master. Miss these guys alot and was good to have a yarn!!

Right time to put on game face. It now the night time and everyone was ready to get crack'n. New batteries on the radios and all haha

Suited up , clown shoes on and wild hair!! ready to rumble haha

First up we had the top qualifier presentation. As I was #1 I was out first.

Had a quick chat to Racing Jason and as I get back in he says "As you leave....". We all know what that means right haha....

Select 3rd gear, Limiter, Release clutch and hang on!!!!

It was now time to form up and get ready to battle. As I came bakc in they sent me to the top of the line as my battle was up first. The official said it will be a small wait mate so shut it down, I told the guys on the radio ill have a quick nap as a joke. Sure enough I was that exhausted after the huge lead up to this point and I was woken up by the official yelling "your up mate". Time to rumble!!

I was up against Luke Broadbent who had just battled his way through the bottom 16 to make the top 16. Congrats to the fellow SA'ian and I was pumped to battle him. As I qualified 1st I would lead first and the hands went down!!!

I went in as quick as I normally was, well at least I thought I did but before I could make the switch into the left hand corner I over cooked it and spun out. I had a huge gap on Broadbent as by the time I spun out I could see him coming towards me at a quick rate and not slowing down haha... We came CM's to each other and just missed a prang. So it was 10-0 his way.

Mine turn to follow and knowing I had nothing to lose I went flat out. After taking off the line and realising this was the first person I got to follow in the whole weekend I had no idea where I should be behind him. So I went with my normal line and his was heaps different. He ran wide and I ran down the middle. It was a messy chase lap and sure wasn't even close to making up for it so I was now Officially out of the comp.

I felt bad for the sponsors and crew as we put so much into this event and to come out on the first battle really was a bummer. But congrats to Luke and we will be back next year bigger and better!!!

Huge thanks to all my supporters and sponsors.

ADVAN AUSTRALIA
HI OCTANE RACING
HI OCTANE DIRECT
HELPS METALWORKS
PPG GEARBOXES
EMPIRE AERO
MCA SUSPENSION
DRIFTSQUID INDUSTRIES
LUKE BING SIGNS
ICON HELMETS

My awesome Family and Friends... expecially Bones, Luke, Marc, Lee and Dad for coming to Sydney.

You guys make it all happen and without you I would be here behind my computer dreaming like I was last year hahaha.

Whats next for me???? The sky is the limit ;-) Bring on the future!!!

Peace out
-Squid!!!

Read more about Mad Mike Whiddett on Drifted.

The Week before WTAC (Working like a boss)

Hey yallllll,

So its the day after G1 Round 2 and still unsure if my motor is ok from the when oil pressure gauge let go yesterday. Andy from ASR took the car that morning and put a mechanical gauge on the car. Cranked it over and deemed it fit for thrashing!!!! Its fair to say I was relieved at this point in time haha, No way could I put together a new motor in time for WTAC let alone pay for one.

It came down to me being extremely lucky that I always look at my gauges and make sure things are ok. This time it saved my motor and if I didn't see the oil pressure drop when it did I wouldn't have even been able to think about WTAC.

Now this was sorted thanks to Andy I was now on a mission to get to Sydney a week earlier then needed. Reason being was Advan Australia had a display setup which  my car was going to be on. Not only that but I would be there with the car for all 4 days selling discounted tickets for WTAC ;)

Good mate Jason 'BONES' Baker took on the mission to passenger along for the 16 hour trek to Sydney and put up with me for the next 2 weeks hahaa... Not only did he help pit crew but he also worked like a trooper with an insane amount of hours put in. Thanks heaps bro!!

So we hit the road at around 1AM on the Wednesday morning hoping for a nice arrival later in the afternoon. 16 hours is a bloody long way and when you passenger doesn't have a licence it makes things harder too :P haha

After 5 hours driving we hit the rise of the sun!!! this was going to be the hardest part for me as I love sleeping hahaha. Iced roads and next to zero vision was proving hard to cope with.

Massive thanks to Bluey for the lend of the tow vehicle. The car was awesome and did the job perfectly, tank was small so we had a few stops on the way for fuel, I'm fair hopeless when I'm tired

Here is a pic of the whole setup thanks to Bluey!!

Hopeless

haha anyway, We kept on trekking across Australia to get to Sydney by that Afternoon. Most of the drive was boring but when we seen the wind farm we got a little excited lol.

They are bloody huge!!!


It honestly felt like we drove for a week but we finally made it too Hi Octane Racing which is in the thick of Sydney. We meet up with Ian, Kyle and Nath from Hi Octane and after a quick hello is was back to business. We had to have the display ready in the mall that night for the morning. So we dropped the car off at Hi octane and headed down to catch up with the Advan Australia crew and get the display setup.

Once we had it all ready for the cars to just roll in we then got the chance to get some sleep. With around 4 or 5 hours sleep it was time to be back up again to go pick the car up and get it down to the mall in time for the opening.

Thursday July 28th 2011

unloaded and chilling in the street on Paramatta hahaaa

The store was very worried about the floors so we had to use go-jacks to push the car in the shop and to its position.

Bones and myself got bored while setting up!!!

Bones approved!!!!

It was fairly surreal to have my car in a major shopping mall and I was looking forward to seeing what people through of it.

All covered up ready for the unveiling on the Thursday night

The Thursday night was the launch of WTAC and a huge amount of Media came along to shoot the cars on display.

The cars where on display from the Thursday through till the Sunday. Bones and I spent the whole 4 days speaking to people and making the event aware to the public. It was long days but at the same time fairly funny. Bones even found a good mate which I think he is still in contact with hahaha

Here is a video from Advan Australia on the opening launch, its damn cool!! Check it out

MONDAY 1st August 2011,

We got the cars out the night before and packed up the whole display, it was now time for Bones and myself to get stuck into getting the car ready. With my dog box being serviced I was only able to pick it up on my way to Sydney. So while we had a spare morning Bones and myself took the car to Hi Octane Racing and quickly changed the gearboxes over.

Out with the Standard and in with the Goodness of a PPG Dog box!!!

While we had to car on the hoist we went over it good and proper.

Once we had that sorted it was now time to get back to helping Hi Octane and Advan with WTAC. All the international cars had arrived into Sydney but needed unpacking. Now this sounds like an easy job right??? 6 to 7 containers and around 13 or 14 cars.... ahhhhhh yeah might be a little hard lol. Bones and I had the job of unloading them haha....

TUESDAY 2nd August 2011,

Here is the first one!!! too easy

Wait.................... Another haha (first to touch the Revolution car :P

Oh so as we open the door to the fully packed Kiwi container, another rocks up LOL! "Yo Bones I think we are here all night bro" haha

So all up we had 7 odd containers, to tell you the truth the amount of work it was it was so crazy opening such awesome cars and seeing them in the flesh. Trying so hard not to touch anything and spending stupid amounts of time making sure everything is clear for when we push them out. Was awesome fun and honestly cant wait to do it all over again next year ;)

We finished late late that night and the man (Ian Baker) treated Bones and myself to an awesome meal and beers down the road at some farm restaurant place. Had animals running around all over the place haha

WEDNESDAY 3rd August 2011,

Its fair to say we have done a fair bit of work up until now but we haven't even started with the big event. We ran around getting stuff for Ian like all the Japan/US and Aussie teams fuel. Total of like 20x44gallon drums of E85 haha.

We also had our mates from Kiwi land arriving today, was fair pumped to introduce them to Bones as he hadn't had the pleasure of meeting the crazy crew yet. Once the day of running around was over and my car was at Eastern creek I could head back to the Hotel and catch up with the Kiwi crew and all the boys from SA that came up.

Gold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yokohama Rig!!!! The other one with Mark Berry's R34 on it is so damn awesome... Who would like to see a Yokohama Rig with the Squid on it??? haha

To find out all the goodness from the event and how I did go to the next blog for a full write up ;)

Thanks for reading

Peace
-Squid