Kicking Off Drift Season with BCDA at Mission Raceway.
This past month marked the long-awaited return to the track for our G35 drift car as we joined the first BCDA event of the year at Mission Raceway Park. With fresh tires, some off-season adjustments, and a lot of anticipation, we rolled into the paddock early, surrounded by the buzz of engines and energy that only a grassroots drift event can bring.
The day kicked off better than we could’ve hoped. The G35 felt dialled in, and we were quickly back in rhythm, linking corners and increasing the angle with every lap. It’s always a great feeling being behind the wheel again after the winter, especially when surrounded by familiar faces, fresh builds, and the unmistakable smell of tire smoke lingering in the spring air.
Unfortunately, just as things were heating up, we started noticing the all-too-familiar signs of power loss creeping in—something we thought we’d finally put behind us. The car began cutting out under throttle, and despite some quick pit-lane troubleshooting, it became clear that something deeper was going on. Rather than risk doing more damage, we decided to call it early. Luckily, we were able to limp the G35 back to our shop under its own power, where we’ll dig into the issue before the next round.
Despite the car troubles, it was still an incredible day at the track. BCDA (British Columbia Drift Association) continues to play a huge role in building up our local drift scene. Over the past few years, they’ve expanded far beyond Mission, incorporating venues like Agassiz Speedway into the calendar, which has opened up fresh layouts and new challenges for drivers across the province. You can learn more about BCDA by clicking here.
The addition of new competition classes like Street Roots has also been a game-changer. It now runs alongside the original Grass Roots series, providing a solid stepping stone for drivers looking to sharpen their skills before moving up to top-tier events like Spec-D. It’s been amazing watching the community grow—more cars, more drivers, and an even greater variety of styles all coming together under the same banner.
Not wanting to let the day end on a sour note, we regrouped after getting the G35 home and headed out for a golden hour photoshoot with some good friends. Eric brought out his immaculately restored X7 Toyota Cressida, a perfect blend of classic lines and subtle, thoughtful modification. Parked beside it was Sam’s wild RA21 Celica, styled in true kaido racer fashion—rat rod grit meeting an old school Japanese look. The contrast between the two cars made for a perfect backdrop as the sun dipped behind the hills.
While the track session didn’t end the way we hoped, the spirit of the day was everything we love about drifting: community, creativity, and camaraderie. We’ll get the G35 sorted and be back on track soon enough. In the meantime, big thanks to BCDA for continuing to push the scene forward and to everyone who makes days like this possible.
