Top Gear (UK) - D1 Drift and F150 lightning

[Lurchio]

Did anyone here from UK see Top Gear last night (Motoring programme to those not from UK).

They had the D1 drift cars on there.
Now I've heard of drift racing but this is the first time I've actually seen it.

Surely this isn't for real is it?
Hugely impressive skill that it was I still had to think that surely sliding round a bend is not the quickest way to navigate a track?

Is this just an exhibition classification or are these cars actually competitive against one that goes in a straight line?
(The racers seemd to love the new Monaro VXR!)

Also, has to say I found it hilarious the way they destroyed the F150 lightning pick up! What a dog of a motor!

[lotus_man]

Drifting is for real. The top Japanesse guys are awesome to watch, and the guys in the UK D1 championship are getting pretty good as well.

The cars aren't designed to compete speedwise against 'normal' racecars... it's all about going sidewase with style! Do a search on the web for D1 drifting and take a look.

I thought they were a little harsh on the F150. I have a standard L200 Mitsubishi pickup because it suits my lifestyle (horses, mountain bikes, big DIY jobs etc.). Yes they are a little large in this country, and a pain around town but you don't buy them for that... Trust me, if I could put that V8 in my truck I would!

[flyonthewall]

Yeah I saw it, glad to see D1 getting more and more recognition over here.

Drifting isn't about who crosses the line first. Drivers are awarded points for technique and skill. This is why I think drifting is the coolest motorsport on the planet.

[Lurchio]

Originally Posted by flyonthewall

Drifting isn't about who crosses the line first. Drivers are awarded points for technique and skill. This is why I think drifting is the coolest motorsport on the planet.

Sounds like ice dancing in cars.
Impressive but motorsport to me is crossing the line first.

[mickbench]

Originally Posted by Lurchio

Sounds like ice dancing in cars.
Impressive but motorsport to me is crossing the line first.

Yep.. I second that.. I don't understand any sports apart form the ones where you cross the line first.. Racing is the only sport I can watch and truly understand... It looked impressive, but didn't really do it for me.

as for the pick up truck - what was with the build..!! I mean the interior was worse then some of my early models..!! Never really understood the craze for pickups either.. They are working trucks, nothing else.. I mean all that HP, and for what.. And in the UK, with our silly fuel costs, what a waste..!!

I'll stick with my Honda.. £40 and I get 360 miles on average..!!

Hmm... Was that a bit of a rant?

[Lurchio]

It was the huge horsepower and tiny brakes that made me laugh - probably has leaf spring suspension as well!

[tonioseven]

Hey, sport trucks are cool here in the 'States. To each his/her own. I didn't care too much for Rallying either but I learned more about and gained a lot of respect for it; to point that I like it a lot now. An open mind can work wonders for the soul.

[99civichic]

A Lightning is in my top 3 list of vehicles I must own. If you've never driven one I guess you wouldn't understand....as for the interior, nicest I've seen in any pickup so far. I could sleep in those seats. Like he said ^^ to each his own...and man, I love those trucks. It handles like a car, performs like a car, and has the storage/towing capability of a truck. What's not to love?

[Lurchio]

I have absolutely nothing about trucks at all - quite like the look of them.
It was just the poor build quality (may just have been RHD conversion) and the archaic engineering.

Looked very nice!
Definitely more a US thing than a UK thing.
In the US even city dwellers seem to like pick ups whereas in UK they tend to be more for utility vehicles only!

[99civichic]

*shrugs* It's priced at $10k under Chevy's dog of an SS truck and $25k under Dodge's flashy SRT-10, and is much faster than either one. It is by far the best sport truck on the market here in the US. Archaic or not, she sure gets the job done!

[mickbench]

In parts of Northampton a pickup truck is something used to pick up loose woman.. The kind you pay for....!! He he..!!

All joking aside, I wouldn't buy one for my everyday car.. I liked what they said about stuff being stolen.. Plus, with all the rain in the UK, not much chance of stuff staying dry.. i just don't think the UK is the right market for these kind of vehicles.

Farm users would like them, but then they don't want leather seats, carpets etc.. They want Land Rovers, 4 x 4's that don't get stuck in the mud or need to worry about paint getting ruined..

As you say, each to their own.. You like what you like.

[blubaja]

I wish we got the UK Top Gear. All we get in the US is some mixed matched US and UK Top Gear. But hey, it's something. I'm so so with the lightnings. I saw one smoke a ZO6 vette once. But it's still only a ford. How is this not in the OffTopic section yet? lol

[pettercardoso]

You can download UK TG episodes from the web. Get yourself a Torrent program and you're set

You can also check www.finalgear.com forum.. They have everything about TopGear and 5th Gear

[V1nce]

If your after D1GP action you want to get along to Silverstone on 2nd October. The D1 boys are putting on a demo match much like the american events last year. Tickets are for sale on the silverstone website or the normal ticket line number.

I thought the coverage was a bit short when you compare it to the Old lame guys attemp at making the theme tune with engine note so Clarkson and hes butt boy could rip him.

As for Clarksons review of the F150... Do we detect a bit pissyness about the Ford GT cock up? I get the feeling Ford could give him the worlds best car to test and he'd pan it.

And is it me or is Richard Hammond turning into clarksons mini me ???

Most of this post will make no sense to none UK readers LOL.

[Hiroboy]

Originally Posted by V1nce

If your after D1GP action you want to get along to Silverstone on 2nd October. The D1 boys are putting on a demo match much like the american events last year. Tickets are for sale on the silverstone website or the normal ticket line number.

Covered Grandstand Seating Tickets Booked a while ago
http://www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk...tickets_D1.htm
Can't wait