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UP CLOSE and PERSONAL WITH R31 HOUSE, EAST BEAR SPORTS and the DRIFT NATIONALS RACE TEAM | Posted on August 12, 2004
Excitement and interest of our Factory Class Entry to the High Performance Imports Drift Nationals has been so great we have organised a day for Australian fans to personally meet with Shibata-san, Iwamoto-san and the Drift Nationals Race Team.
The agenda on the day will be autographs, photographs and most importantly lots of laughs. The R31 DRIFT MACHINE will be there along with the Nissans of those who come along.
THIS IS NOT A CONCOURSE DAY, purely a get together for Nissan enthusiasts from all over Australia, so if you haven't had time to polish your car, don't worry, bring it along anyway, you're guaranteed a day to remember. And, if you don't drive a Nissan, you and your car are more than welcome too.
A huge effort from our Japanese partners with the backing of many major sponsors in Japan, along with support from many people in Australia has resulted in the realisation of a dream for one of Australia's most talented DRIFT drivers and thousands of Nissan enthusiasts.
Peter Carruthers approached POWERPLAY IMPORTS and affiliated company FIFTY ONE FIFTY to provide factory backing for his entry into the HIGH PERFORMANCE IMPORTS DRIFT NATIONALS. Peter met Shibata-san from R31 HOUSE earlier this year when he was visiting Powerplay and asked me to put forward the idea that as a part of our factory sponsorship we extend an invitation to Shibata-san to co-drive with him in the Sydney round of the series. Shibata-san's acceptance was almost immediate. His excitement at an opportunity to participate in Australia's first DRIFT NATIONALS series astounded us all as he made the instant decision to fast track the completion of a Powerplay demonstration car, so that it could be ready for the Sydney round of the series. Support then followed with offers of sponsorship from many major manufacturers in JAPAN.
Timing allowed only 12 days for the vehicle to be prepared and ready for shipping to Australia so that it can arrive in time for the event. Without the helpand support of so many in Japan and Australia this would have been an impossible task. Shibata-san and the team in Japan have been literally working around the clock on the preparation of the R31 DRIFT MACHINE. And here it is in all it's glory!!
Shibata-san personally delivered the car to the Port in Japan today, the ship sets sail tomorrow, arriving in Sydney with only a few days to spare for final preparations before the event. The level of support and interest has really taken us by surprise.
There are so many who have played a role in making this a reality.
IN JAPAN
R31 HOUSE - Shibata-san, Sakashita-san (Japanese drift driver who will co drive with Peter) and his fiance Fujiwara-san, Kogai-san (R31 HOUSE mechanic) and all R31 HOUSE staff
EAST BEAR SPORTS - Iwamoto-san and all EAST BEAR SPORTS staff
NISMO
CUSCO
TOMEI
ARC
JIC MAGIC
DEFI
BRIDGESTONE
ART FACTORY GRAPHICS
IN AUSTRALIA
POWERPLAY IMPORTS - Alistair, Jo-Ann, Aaron, Tosh
FIFTY ONE FIFTY - Nathan, Terri, Luke & Yaz
PETER CARRUTHERS
Special thanks are also extended to:
MITSUI SHIPPING CO
HAROLD PARK PACEWAY
TEAM RACEWORX
R31 SKYLINE CLUB AUSTRALIA
SKYLINES AUSTRALIA
FUSION ONLINE
JOSH
THOMAS
I would also like to extend my personal thanks and gratitude to the following people:
PETER CARRUTHERS - Thanks for getting in and getting your hands dirty along with the rest of the team, and especially for keeping off the VB in preparation for the event, I know how hard that's been. Ha Ha GO PETE, we're all behind you.
POWERPLAY IMPORTS - Alistair, Aaron & Tosh, priceless guys, thanks for keeping up the smiles and the extra workload you've all happily taken on board.
FIFTY ONE FIFTY - Nathan, what can I say, super human effort, thank you.
HOPE YOU CAN MAKE IT ON 5th SEPTEMBER, THIS COULD TURN INTO THE BIGGEST SHOW OF NISSANS AUSTRALIA HAS EVER SEEN IN THE ONE LOCATION.
CHEERS EVERYONE !
JO - POWERPLAY IMPORTS