About this episode
Ben Cable and Ben Ogges from Drift Japan share insights about their unique drift tours in Japan, designed for enthusiasts of all skill levels. The episode dives into the comprehensive package offered, which includes flights, accommodations, track time, and more, all tailored to create a memorable experience. They discuss the evolution of their business post-COVID, the importance of building connections in Japan, and how their tours foster camaraderie among participants. Listeners will appreciate the behind-the-scenes details and the passion these drifters have for sharing their love of Japanese drifting culture.
In this episode I am joined by Benkei Bruin and Ben Odgers who own and operate a company called Drift Japan.
Drift Japan is a really cool organization who will take you on a fully guided drift tour of Japan, but they tailor an experience that best suits you and your needs.
We get to go deep into the Drift Japan experience as a whole.
We cover off on everything from how best to contact Drift Japan and show an expression of interest, right through the whole 10 day experience, what is included in the package and how the whole experience has been put together with years and years of combined experience while trying to keep it adaptable for you.
It was really cool to sit and chat with these two gentlemen and hear how much has gone into putting this package together to make the whole experience unique to your needs as well as taking into account so many little things that you just wouldn’t think about until you get caught out by it.
This episode is a little different to our usual format and I absolutely do intend to get both Benkei and Ben Odgers on for their own episodes to tell their individual stories in the future, but I hope you all enjoy this one. I really do think it has a lot of information that you can take away even if you don’t ever get a spot on a future Drift Japan tour.
So please enjoy this episode with Benkei Bruin and Ben Odgers on episode 119 of Gutter 2 Gutter podcast.
Website: https://www.driftjapan.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DriftJapan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drift_japan_tours/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@driftjapantours
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AJ Hoad
Lonely Drivers Driving Club
Shifting Through The Gears
Drift Japan
"...so I guess we're here today to talk about Drift Japan. So I guess give us a little bit of a rundown on what Drift Japan is."
Drift Japan is a company that helps people go drifting in Japan. They organize trips for those who want to learn how to drift and enjoy the experience in a fun and exciting way.
Drift Japan is a tour company that specializes in organizing drifting experiences in Japan, catering to enthusiasts who want to learn and participate in drifting culture. The company was founded by experienced drifters who understand the intricacies of the sport and the best locations to drift in Japan.
drifting
"...how to go drifting in Japan. So I started my journey with this back in 2018 with Samit and Okucho..."
Drifting is when a driver makes a car slide sideways while still controlling it. It's a popular and exciting way to drive, especially in races and shows.
Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing the rear wheels to lose traction while maintaining control of the vehicle. It is often performed in motorsport events and is popular in car culture, especially in Japan.
drift tour
"...the plan was yeah 2019 do a drift tour see if it would be sick based on the two previous trips I'd done..."
A drift tour is an event where people can drive cars that slide around corners, called drifting. It's a fun way to learn how to control a car while it's sliding and enjoy driving in beautiful places.
A drift tour is an organized event where participants can drive or ride in vehicles specifically set up for drifting, often in scenic locations. These tours provide opportunities for enthusiasts to learn drifting techniques and enjoy the thrill of performance driving.
Nissan GT-R
"...you come around a corner and there's two GTRs sitting in a little garage underneath a set of units and you're like what you know like..."
The Nissan GT-R is a fast sports car that many car enthusiasts love. It's known for being powerful and has a lot of technology that helps it perform well on the road and track.
The Nissan GT-R is a high-performance sports car known for its advanced technology and impressive performance capabilities. It has a strong motorsport heritage and is often associated with tuning and street racing culture.
Nissan 180SX
"...we just found what was that yard with all the abandoned cars... 180s say if you came across this in brizzy the whole yard would be empty in a week..."
The Nissan 180SX is a sporty car that many people like to modify and race. It's known for being fun to drive and is often used in drifting competitions.
The Nissan 180SX is a sports car produced by Nissan, known for its rear-wheel-drive layout and popularity in drifting and motorsports.
Nissan Silvia S13
"...zx's 86s 180s s 13 32 4 door rusting away..."
The Nissan Silvia S13 is a type of sports car that many people modify to make it faster and better for racing. It's well-liked in the car community.
The Nissan Silvia S13 is a popular sports coupe known for its performance and tuning potential, often associated with drifting culture.
Toyota AE86
"...zx's 86s 180s s 13 32 4 door rusting away..."
The Toyota AE86 is a small, sporty car that is very popular among car enthusiasts for racing and drifting. It's known for being fun to drive.
The Toyota AE86 is a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive car that gained fame in motorsports and car culture, particularly in drifting and touge racing.
Z-tune
"...shops that are still got z tunes and then they're modifying the z tune and you're like who in their right mind is doing that but they are..."
The Z-tune is a modified version of a Nissan sports car that has been upgraded for better performance. It's a rare and special car that many fans of Nissan love to talk about.
The Z-tune refers to a special version of the Nissan Skyline GT-R, specifically the R34 model, which was modified by Nissan's Nismo division. These cars were enhanced for performance and are highly sought after by enthusiasts due to their rarity and tuning potential.
track day
"...you can't speak the language to figure out if that's even an option and it is but it's quite expensive and it's only if you know the know and you're already in the circle yeah then on top of that where are you getting tyres where are you getting fuel where are you getting parts of your brake things like..."
A track day is when you can take your car to a racetrack to drive it fast and safely. It's a fun way to enjoy your car and learn how to drive better.
A track day is an event where car enthusiasts can take their vehicles to a racetrack and drive them at high speeds in a controlled environment. It's a great way to test a car's performance and improve driving skills.
brake parts
"...where are you getting tyres where are you getting fuel where are you getting parts of your brake things like..."
Brake parts are the pieces that help your car stop when you press the brake pedal. They include things like pads and discs that work together to slow down the car.
Brake parts refer to the components that make up a vehicle's braking system, including brake pads, rotors, calipers, and brake lines. These parts are crucial for safe stopping and performance during driving.
wheel bearing
"then you're driving it to the track and I don't know a shaft brakes or a wheel bearing let's go"
A wheel bearing helps your car's wheels spin easily. If it gets damaged, it can cause noise and make driving difficult.
A wheel bearing is a set of steel balls or rollers held together by a metal ring that allows the wheel to rotate smoothly. It supports the weight of the vehicle and enables the wheels to turn with minimal friction.
drifters
"...we know what it means to get to a track day smoothly and when drifters come on they they're like oh my god..."
Drifters are people who drive their cars in a way that makes them slide sideways around corners. It's a fun and skillful way to drive, often seen in racing events.
Drifters are drivers who intentionally oversteer their cars, causing them to slide sideways through turns. This driving style is often showcased in motorsport competitions and requires skill to maintain control while drifting.
performance mechanic
"...I'm an apprentice mechanic I did like you know basically equivalent of third year as a performance..."
A performance mechanic is someone who works on cars to make them go faster and handle better. They know how to improve a car's speed and performance for racing or driving fun.
A performance mechanic specializes in modifying and tuning vehicles to enhance their performance, including speed, handling, and overall driving experience. They often work on high-performance cars or those intended for racing.
horsepower
"...those boys that are coming from tazzy and they've got over 500 horsepower and they're using semis their tire bill is going to be..."
Horsepower is how we measure the power of an engine. The higher the horsepower, the faster and more powerful the car can be.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to indicate the power output of engines. In automotive terms, it helps gauge a vehicle's performance and speed capabilities.
semi tires
"...and they're using semis their tire bill is going to be three four grand minimum for the weekend..."
Semi tires are special tires used on big trucks and racing vehicles. They are built to handle a lot of weight and provide good grip on the road.
Semi tires, often referred to as semi-truck tires, are designed for heavy-duty vehicles and provide better traction and durability for high-performance applications, especially in motorsports.
clutch kicks
"...we're not there doing ninja kick clutch kicks in second gear from a dead stock..."
A clutch kick is a driving move where you press the clutch pedal and then quickly let it go to help the car slide around a corner. It's commonly used in drifting to keep the car stable while turning.
Clutch kicks are a drifting technique where the driver quickly disengages and re-engages the clutch to induce oversteer, helping to maintain control during a slide. This technique is often used in motorsport and performance driving.
Nissan 350Z
"...they're not 350s ease and and no one's to go to japan to drive 350s ease..."
The Nissan 350Z is a sporty car that many people enjoy driving. It's known for being fun to drive and is often used in racing and drifting.
The Nissan 350Z is a sports car that was produced from 2002 to 2009. It is known for its rear-wheel-drive layout and strong performance, making it popular among car enthusiasts and for motorsport applications.
Nissan S13
"...we have an s13 yep we have an s14 we have a 180 sx and then i'll just..."
The Nissan S13 is a type of sports car that is lightweight and has rear-wheel drive, which makes it great for drifting and racing.
The Nissan S13 is a model from the Nissan Silvia/180SX line, known for its lightweight chassis and rear-wheel-drive layout, making it popular for drifting and motorsports.
chassis feel
"...they still have that as chassis feel like you can point them where you want them they'll go where you want them..."
Chassis feel is how a driver can sense how the car reacts when they turn the steering wheel or press the gas pedal, important for control and performance.
Chassis feel refers to the driver's perception of how the car responds to inputs, such as steering and acceleration, which is crucial for performance driving.
fuel quality
"...because of the fuel quality the way they tune them like the build of the car as well..."
Fuel quality is about how good the gasoline is that you put in your car. Better fuel can help your car run better and make more power.
Fuel quality refers to the purity and performance characteristics of gasoline, which can significantly affect engine performance and tuning. Higher quality fuel allows for better performance and efficiency.
SR20DET
"...like a 350 horsepower sr in japan because of the fuel quality the way they tune them..."
The SR20DET is a popular engine made by Nissan that many car enthusiasts like to modify for more power. It's known for being strong and easy to work with.
The SR20DET is a turbocharged inline-four engine produced by Nissan, commonly found in the S13 and other Nissan models. It is known for its tunability and performance potential.
OEM
"...the simplicity of the oem style nature you know what i mean so that the millions of dollars of engineering that went into building that car..."
OEM means parts that are made by the same company that built the car. These parts usually fit better and work well because they are designed specifically for that car.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, referring to parts or systems that are made by the original manufacturer of the vehicle. OEM parts are often preferred for their reliability and fit.
track surface
"delivery for the track is different so yes whereas here in in in japan like i love sr i want sr so"
The track surface is what the cars drive on during a race. Different surfaces can make it easier or harder for cars to grip the road and handle turns.
Track surface refers to the material and texture of the racing surface, which can significantly affect vehicle handling and performance. Different surfaces can provide varying levels of grip and traction.
go-karting tracks
"they're much smaller then they're kind of based off go-karting tracks instead of racing tracks so like to get into third gear is you know"
Go-karting tracks are smaller tracks where people race go-karts. They're usually more twisty and have less space than regular car racing tracks.
Go-karting tracks are smaller, often tighter racing circuits designed for go-karts. They typically feature sharp turns and shorter straights, making them different from traditional racing tracks.
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