Top Drift RD.1

Top Drift RD.1 was a great event. I've been attending most Just Drift sanctioned events for the past year (since I moved here) and this is by far one of the highest levels of Pro-Am driving i've seen in these events. 

Take Alex Heilbrunn for example.

Coming from Peru as a Pro, he really shocked me, seeing as he took first, and brought a lot of Just Drift Veterans down along the way. If he's not set to be a future FD Rookie of the Year then I really have no clue what good drifting is.

Run, after run, he threw down gallons of smoke and left Falken rubber all over The Balcony. Hell, some of the FD drivers i've seen testing up here cannot even come close to what Heilbrunn is throwing down, but competition and testing is always a different situation. 

The other driver that impressed me, Spike Chen ran both smoothly and consistently, sliding all the way up to the second spot on the podium.

Spike, obvious Pebble Beach and Hot Import Nights award winner, drove well all day, supercharger whining all over track and mostly at other drivers doors.

Next, someone who I thought could have easily podiumed...

Dan Burkett. He had a really strong showing, putting down runs to rival Heilbrunn, but fell short of the coveted podium. 

Such is drifting, but I can see him standing on those steps next round.

I mean, there are few drivers that can pilot an FC3S that well, and the name Justin Pawlak comes to mind.

Which finally brings me to Danny Giraldo. 

Truly channeling the Fujiwara Zone, he triple OMT'd Alex Heilbrunn, in a good ol' Corolla, which was rumored to be carrying tofu...

And he didn't spill a single drop of his water. In all seriousness, Giraldo impressed me with such an old chassis. While the AE86 may be one of the long standing obelisks of drifting, it takes serious skill to be competitive in one. Especially against a professionally built 1JZ S13.

I still remember last years Round One, and while still incredible, was really out shone but this one. Drifting is progressing at a blistering pace, garnering fans every event. Pro-Am may still be small fish compared to the massive machine that is now Formula Drift, but it is still by far worth watching. The fan involvement, atmosphere and potential nestled by the hardworking guys at JD, really made this round more Fun for spectators than Long Beach.

Thanks Paul for allowing me Media Access to the event and a shoutout to Jason Kim for destroying in a borrowed and stock looking S13.

Until next time guys, thanks for reading.

- Chris Rosales

Hello all, and welcome.

         This is my new project. After disdainful neglect of my blog, i have decided to reinvigorate my passion for photography through it. For all 3 of you who were aware of my blog previously, welcome back, and to those who are new to my journey, welcome. 2014 is going to be a year of progress, and reward. A little background, however, is needed. I am young, from Los Angeles, with a nearly psychotic penchant for anything with an internal combustion engine, excluding the Prius, and an indescribable love for driving. Starting nearly 6 years ago on a Rebel XTi, I have shot and progressed into what I am now; an amateur. Being borne into non-enthusiast parents, i have no idea how i came to like cars. I was probably born in a ward with a particularly high petroleum concentration in its water, or i shot out of the womb in a spectacularly sideways and smoky fashion. Thankfully, some credibility (and sanity) can be given to my blog because I will be on my schools yearbook staff. I promise to give my viewers the best content that I can produce, and the best stories I can formulate through a partitioned, still photography standpoint. You can expect regular coverage of all the 2014 Just Drift and Top Drift events, with the exception of the first drift clinic, which i shot minimally at. I may also cover Thunder on the Lot, and Los Angeles Formula Drift events from a spectator standpoint.
         This year I am emerging from the off-season with new equipment that brings a new world of possibilities for large print and internet media, and well used, but excellent, tripod and Rode video mic for the occcasional video (which i will link here). Enter the 70D, a 20.2 MP Japanese weapon capable of producing sharp images and quick burst rates. Its no 1DX but it is abolutley adequate for my level of skill. All images below are shot by it with a Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III. Sometimes I will shoot with a Canon EFS 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 for closer shots (sharpness is disappointing however), and a recently acquired a 50mm f/1.8 II.  Expect this to be the staple of the quality to expect from my work.

 

Cheers to 2014, and thank you (all 3 of you) to those who are following my story from the start. You have my personal gratitiude. Heres to another 6 years of Christopher Antonio Rosales (C.A.R.) Photography.

The current batch i've cooked up, just gonna keep working on my composition and exposure control.

                                           Again, check out the Gram for general randomness.                    

Joshua Trees... ahhhh! Lens flare!

                                                  Abandoned house in the Antelope Valley

                                               Good 'ol Ilford HP4 film I found by the house                                        

                                               EF Civic hatch in Santa Fe Springs, a unique mix
                                         of culture with a lot of the owner's personality weaved in

                                           This is from the Powerhouse Fire, just 10 Mi Away

                                                                         Joshua Trees 2                                    

 

                                                                 Some Macros to finish

Welcome.

Also check out the instagram just some general randomness.