D.O.M.: Upsetting Drifters, One Fanboy At A Time
Why do “drifters” ask for sponsorships from Endless? Or from any brake company for that matter? Has any drifter out there ever experienced any brake fade or vapor lock? I’m honestly curious to know.
How important are brake systems on drift cars really? Because as far as I’m concerned, drifters can get away with the stock system. Maybe, just MAYBE could some upgraded pads be warranted, but even then they pads have to exhibit extremely low levels of friction or else it’s counterproductive.
Blah. I wish these guys would just stop. A drifter asking me for sponsorship is sorta like an atheist asking you where the nearest confessional is. It just doesn’t make any sense.
May 21, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I’ve never experienced or seen anybody get even close to brake fade while drifting. However being at tracks at high speeds, upgraded pads are for sure warranted.
But don’t all car guys always have their hands out for everything anyways?
May 21, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Upgraded thermal capacity is not required for drifting. In fact many of the top pro teams are using un-vented drag racing rotors that are extremely light but have very little thermal capacity.
The primary concern is brake bias between the front and rear.
Many pros do modify brake bias to have the foot brakes primarily actuate the fronts (say say 70/30 F/R) and while the hand brake actuates the rear so the front and rear slip angles under braking can be controlled independently.
Do drifters need road race spec 16 piston brake systems with 18″ rotors? No. Do they need assistance from a brake company to engineer a system that meets the demands of the specific application that will work better than stock? Yes.
As a salesman of a company that sells brake parts (including pads with compounds specifically formulated and advertised for drifting) perhaps you should consider that before dismissing drifters as a bunch of yahoos that don’t deserve any of your exalted attention.
Just because drifters don’t race Le Mans in Ferraris doesn’t mean the level of engineering and car setup should be any less involved at the professional level (who can afford your high quality products).
Educate the less knowledgeable drifters about the important setup factors and you will create yourself a new market niche. Or just make fun of them and keep feeling superior.
May 21, 2009 at 7:52 pm
“(including pads with compounds specifically formulated and advertised for drifting)” – Correction. I was mistakenly thinking of a Project Mu product but are similar in concept to the Endless Type SS and Gymkhana R-SPL pads.
The guys in the Endless marketing department must be doing a bang up job differentiating your product from the other guys with a similar color.
The point is a good salesman takes the time to understand a customer’s needs and use their expertise to set them up with the best product for their application. Publicly ridiculing potential customers who demonstrate a lack of engineering and motorsports marketing experience simply exposes your arrogance, lack of knowledge for this application, and worth as a salesmen and technical adviser.
I’d suggest you take a more in depth look at this rapidly growing market segment that includes a small but significant professional and grassroots contingent. You might be surprised at what you find.
May 22, 2009 at 8:07 am
This is a personal blog. Find somewhere else to waste your time and breath! Persecuted sociopathic recluse.
May 22, 2009 at 10:15 am
Nice. Looks like I touched a nerve.
Tweaking brake bias front to rear..
A brake pad with particular mu levels or initial bite..
Sure. I can understand those needs, but does that warrant the sponsorship of brake pads to a demographic which hardly places any emphasis on braking? I sincerely hope everyone out there is savvy enough to see why that makes no sense.
But perhaps I should have been more clear; no drifter that asks me for a sponsorship is seeking simply pads. They all seem to vehemently believe that they are in dire need of the largest brake system we offer. Hence my aggravation.
And as far as taking a look at the “rapidly growing market segment” that is the “drift market”? Been there, done that. Ask anyone who’s been on my side of the industry for several years, they’ll all tell you the same thing: Drifting doesn’t sell product (sans cheap low-quality tires).
I give it maybe 3 or 4 years max. Remember those old “Battle of the Imports” events that used to be all the rage? Yeah, drifting is slated to be the next big passé.
But who knows, drifting is more of a “look-at-me-I-look-good-don’t-I?” kind of thing anyway. Perhaps it’s so much like fashion that it will be back in style a few decades from now.
I can tell you one thing though, I’ll still be saying “no.”
May 22, 2009 at 10:55 am
I think Benson Hsu is a ENDLESS sponsored drifter.
Drifting sucks. Does NOT sell product and WILL die out soon.
:)
May 22, 2009 at 3:35 pm
N.I.C bruh
Classic L(OG)made stylez
May 22, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I agree with BH doe
Drifting as a “sport” doesn’t help to sell product directly
Sponsors on a drift car on a “professional drifting” level help to generate brand image and awareness, but as far as directly selling product I don’t think so much
I’d say that privateers and regular owners generate more hype which then sells product moreso than drifting the sport
And as far as sponsorships go, here are my thoughts from an article I penned awhile back:
http://og-made.com/archives/1915
If you aren’t stubborn and really think about it, the points I make are pretty valid, at least from my experience
May 24, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Rapidly growing market? You must work for the handful of companies out there that use drifting imagery and / or references to sell products. Drifting started dying 2 years ago and continues to die. What crack have you been smoking to convince yourself that it’s a rapidly growing market?
May 30, 2009 at 9:42 am
Driftings good for tire sales :)
But you’re right, Endless pads for a drift car is overkill. There’s no need to sponsor pads for a drift car. We are running Endless pads on our Z and its way too much!
Fluids on the other hand, could be a good market! I know a lot of drift cars that have problems in that department.
Drifting market is what you make of it I suppose. Times like this, you just have to find the right angles to make things work for your company.
May 30, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Can you sponsor my Civic with some pads? Ok, ok I really need some for my Accord. Don’t worry they can’t drift race.
June 15, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Drifting at the end of the day is what the driver himself makes it to be.
Is it a fad or perhaps a lifetime hobby that one person chooses to place upon himself only time will tell.
I know I do it for personal enjoyment. I see other who do not and rather do it for the pursuit of other agendas.
If there were no cameras around or spectators I would still be doing it.
Its my weekend getaway.
Back on topic.
I agree with you 100% BBK are overrated for a drift car. If you need such a high intensity of braking your doing something wrong.