JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Driver Forrest Wang made a run in his Nissan Silvia yesterday during the Xtreme Drift World Tour qualifying rounds on the Aloha Stadium parking lot grounds. The top two qualifiers after several rounds will compete in the World Tour event to be held here in Hawaii, with competitors from around the world, including Japan. Drifting enthusiasts are happy to have a venue to hold these events, despite opposition from local communities. CLICK FOR LARGE

Drifting back in style

The first qualifying round of the Xtreme Drift World Tour draws about 80 contestants

THE SCREECHING, smoking wheels of drift racers across Oahu found a legal venue to burn rubber yesterday as Aloha Stadium played host to the local qualifying rounds of Xtreme Drift World Tour.

Since Hawaii Raceway Park shut down in April, there has not been a place for local "drifters" to practice their sport without risking traffic tickets or arrest.

Jence "Jensen" Kona, one of the top local drifters who competed yesterday, admits he's done street drifting a few times.

"I'd be lying if I said I don't," said the 24-year-old professional. "But when you do it illegally, it doesn't feel as satisfying as this."

Kona added: "I know it sounds really bad, but we always try to find an area that's open, away from the public and late at night. The police, they're very understanding of our passion and they know we're trying to be real safe."

Drifting is a controlled skid, going through turns sideways amid burning rubber. Skid marks snaked through the stadium's parking lot yesterday, as event organizers changed the track layouts for the drivers. The competition is based on performance, not on how fast the cars travel, with each vehicle taking turns through the ever-changing track.

Kona said drifting around the cones was more of a challenge than the fixed track at the raceway park.

"You have to picture the track more," Kona said. "Also, the dips (in the parking lot) are challenging. It forces you to adapt."

Yesterday's event was the first qualifier for Xtreme Drift World Tour. The top two drivers in the local finals next month will go on to compete with drivers from the mainland, China and Canada.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Spectators looked on as racers qualified in the Xtreme Drift World Tour. CLICK FOR LARGE

Up to 80 drivers competed yesterday, with hundreds of spectators watching, despite the overcast weather.

Andrew Kennedy, 32, of Mililani, said he attended yesterday's event to "watch people get sideways."

He used to race and drift when he was living on Guam.

"It seems like a big shame that Oahu doesn't have a park," Kennedy said. "This is great. By all means any chance to drift legally is the best way."

Brandon Bonilla, 24, had some friends competing yesterday. He said although he didn't like how the track looked, with the dips and the gravel, "this is the only thing."

Arakaki said between February and the end of the year, Punish'UM may try to have more local events to appease the local drifting community's appetite for a venue.

Arakaki said in case stadium officials don't authorize future events, they have been looking at other venues. "But we really want to keep it here at the stadium," Arakaki said.