Exclusive Q&A: Formula D Racer Kenshiro Gushi

With the Formula Drift Championship Race series concluding this weekend at the Irwindale Speedway, we would like to take you behind the scenes of Formula Drift's talented race driver, Kenshiro Gushi of Gushi Auto Racing Team. Ken spent some time answering questions about himself, the sport of drift racing, and why he is a force to be reckon with.

Make sure you come out to the Formula Drift Race on Oct 13th @ the Irwindale Speedway to cheer him on, or you can meet him personally at the Official Formula Drift Afterparty at V2O Night Club Long Beach after the race. Dont miss out on Ken showcasing his Drift Car at the afterparty in Long Beach!!!! For more information, check out his website at http://www.kenshirogushi.com/

Interviewd By: Rod of Blended Events

Q: give us a brief summary about yourself, name birthplace favorite
foods, favorite place you have visited etc.

- My name is Kenshiro Gushi, born in Okinawa Japan, but raised in
California. I compete in the 2007 Toyo Tires/Ford Racing Mustang GT in
the Formula Drift Series. Favorite foods would be steak. Preferably
good steak. Favorite place i have visited would be New York City.

Q: How did you get into drifting?

- I got into the sport of drifting as a kid when my father would be
messing with his 1986 Toyota Corolla while other teenagers would be
chasing each other around with front wheel drives.

Q: I know your Father is very famous racer in Japan, is it going to be
difficult trying to follow in his foot steps?

- I've already beat him when it comes to drifting. In terms of rally
racing or other forms of motor sports, I've yet to catch up and i
still look up to his aggressive driving style.

Q: how do you feel about drifting as a sport and the rapid growth In
the states? Example: Coverage of drift events by Espn,G4, movies like
fast and the furious etc.

- I feel that drifting is not real motorsports but more of an art
where drivers are judged based on their overall performance instead of
their fastest lap around the circuit. This gives drivers an
opportunity to be unique and creative in their own driving style. At a
drifting competition, you do not only see cars sliding around creating
chaos, but cars sliding around with different styles.
- In terms of Drifting as a sport in the states, the society as a
whole is improving in the overall knowledge of what exactly this crazy
trend is all about. It's not about who's got the most money to fix up
a garage queen drift car. It's more about having a great time without
spending much money on bling-bling unnecessary parts.

Q: Drifting has been around for awhile overseas but is new in the
west. How does it feel knowing 40 years from now you can be looked at
as a Drifting icon, like Hank Aaron to baseball, or Wilt Chamberlain
to basketball?

- Hopefully drifting is still here in 40 years. HAHA jk.

Q: I know the big race is coming up in Irwindale, do you have any
pre-race rituals you do? Or superstitions you try to follow?

- I usually watch videos of the same venue from the previous season to
study the competition's lines and what not. Most of the time, the
judges will specifically inform us of what line to take, but watching
videos will better educate us about the opponents style.

Q: tell us one thing that most people don't know about you and that
they would find interesting.

- I drive a 1992 Toyota Cressida with cut springs. =)

Q: Ok ken thanks for taking the time out to chat with us at this time
would you like to shot out any one?

Major thanks to my sponsors of 2007!
Toyo Tires/Ford Racing Team: James Winkler, Dev Saberwal, Mike Shin,
Stan Chen, Damien Takahashi, Sharon Dominguez
Shout outs to my Mom, Dad, Toyo Team, Ford Team, Gushi Auto Team, and
Jiawen HUANG. haha!

You guys can catch my race results and blog on my new website:
www.kenshirogushi.com