If you like seeing show-quality cars with spotless engine bays and gleaming paint, you may want to stop reading now. IMI Motorsports Complex in Dacono, Colorado was filled with cars that would be classified as “beaters” to the undiscerning eye. But don’t let the dents, scratches, missing bumpers, mismatched body panels, zip ties and dusty interiors fool you – these cars have it where it counts. Round Three of the Points Series, held this past Sunday, September 30, was Drift Colorado’s final event of the season. Showcasing some of the best drifting talent in the state, this competition proved that the drift scene in Colorado is nothing to scoff at. IMI also features several motocross courses, and we enjoyed the sight of bikes getting huge air off the jumps just behind the pit area.
























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Matt Powers (of Formula Drift fame) was present to judge the event and run some balls-to-the-wall qualifying laps to show everyone how it’s done. He flicked his LS3-powered S14 through the tight kinks with the kind of confidence and nonchalance only a seasoned professional can muster. Watching him effortlessly link turn after turn was both awe-inspiring and sickening. After witnessing him rip down the front straight flat-out and completely sideways three or four times, you start to question any driving skill you thought you had.
























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Not surprisingly, the S13 and S14 Nissan 240sx were the weapons of choice for the army of rabid competitors, followed closely by the second generation Mazda RX-7. The Nissan 350Z, Lexus SC300, BMW 325is and Mitsubishi Starion were also represented. Besides having hot-rodded motors, most of the cars came equipped with the suspension and drivetrain hardware needed to drift competitively; namely, coilovers, 2-way clutch-type rear differentials and as many extra tires as humanly possible.
























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The initial practice session gave drivers the opportunity to map-out the topography of the course and nail down their lines; it also marked the end of the day for several who thrashed their cars a little too hard. Wes Moya had to throw in the towel after his S13 Silvia conversion killed two axles and a diff in the period of about an hour.
























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Qualifying started promptly at noon, after a driver meeting where Matt Powers laid out the rules and expectations for how the competition would be judged. Each driver was given three qualifying laps before the top 16 drivers were announced for the main competition, which began right around 3 p.m. At this point, the air was full of tire smoke and dust, which was kicked up in huge clouds each time a car left the course, which was frequently. Vehicles equipped with roll cages were allowed to compete in tandem, which added another level of excitement to the event.
























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The mood got more serious when only eight drivers remained. Kasey King eliminated Zak Mullens' Mac Autosport-tuned S13 240sx; Ilya Klyuchnikov then finished off Frank Cundari, who was also driving a Lexus SC300. Drift Colorado's own Logan Dimick edged out Kasey Kohl of Triple Crown Drift, but was then out-drifted by Kasey King. Nick Tomberlin did some incredibly slick driving all day, but it wasn't enough to land him in the final four.
























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Things really heated up once the competition had been reduced to a Nissan versus Lexus battle with four drivers remaining: Joe Ocampo in a white S13 240sx, Logan Dimick in a red S14 240sx and Kasey King and Ilya Klyuchnikov, both driving 2JZ-swapped Lexus SC300s. The consolation round featured Ocampo and Dimick, which Ocampo narrowly won. The final battle was between King and Klyuchnikov in their brutally powerful SC300s. The title was King's once Klyuchnikov miscalculated and spun off in the first corner.

The final results are as follows:

Round 3 Podium:

1st Place: Kasey King
2nd Place: Ilya Klyuchnikov
3rd Place: Joe Ocampo

Points Series Podium:

1st Place: Joe Ocampo
2nd Place: Ilya Klyuchnikov
3rd Place: Eric Costen









The entire event went off without a hitch and drew an impressive crowd. Hanksville Hot Rods, MoFab, LLC and Enjukuracing.com provided prizes to the top three drivers, in addition to the massive trophies handed out by Drift Colorado. Team Revvolution would like to congratulate everyone who participated in the event; after witnessing the turnout, it is apparent that the drifting scene in Colorado is here to stay. We are looking forward to the 2013 season!

Check out Drift Colorado's website


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