Racism In Sport

Over the last few months in several different forms of sports there has been several alleged racial slurs and comments made by different sports people. These are happening in NRL, AFL, Rugby Union and Cricket, to say the least.

Are we doing enough to stop racism in sport? What more could be done?

To be continued...

Daniel Kenneally - Aussie Drifter

Who are you, where are you from? Dan Kenneally, Chermside, Brisbane , QLD.

What kind of car do you drift with? Australia only Skyvia Drift ute and a 500hp Nissan Cefiro

What else, apart from drifting, do you do? Fulltime Professional driver. I renovate houses in my spare time.

What is your inspiration for drifting? Its just a great form of motorsport. Its exhilarating everytime i jump into my car and drive it.

How do you prepare for a drift event? Just a general check of major components on the cars, and in general i like to keep fit and active.

How expensive is drifting? How do you afford it? Drifting is very expensive but i"m very fortunate to have a great network of companies that have backed myself and my team for many years. We give them a great return on their investment each year
and work very closely on maximising their investment dollars.

How many cars have you had? Had quite a few now. My first a std Green RB silvia, Grey SR 180sx, Blue CA 180sx, then a revamped Pink 180sx, our current cefiro and of coarse our custom made Skyvia ute.

Any you regret selling? No i've had a great deal of fun in all of these cars.

Who helps you at drift days? Got a couple of close friends that help out, but my very proud father is my biggest supporter and generally tries to attend all events.

What do you think of stadium drift? I think is is a great series. We get to travel all over and drive at some of the best tracks in Australia.

Where do you see the future of drifting in Australia? It's had a bit of a slump in the past 2 years but as anything things need to get worse before they can get better. The sport will always have growth and hopefully over the next few years we will see some larger events taking place.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hopefully doing what i"m doing now. Drifting. And buying more real estate and adding to my current portfolio.

What got you into drifting? Saw it on a DVD. Got interested and tried it. Been doing it ever since.

How old are you? 32.

If you could run your own drift series, how would you run it differently? I wouldn'"t. I enjoy driving to much.

Whats your dream street car? Dont really have one. I do have a dream house though.

Whats your dream drift car? I built it and am driving it right now.

What was your first car? Holden Shuttle- for motorcycle racing

Do you have any regrets? No regrets. I have had many positives come from this sport.

How do you feel you are competing at this years Stadium Drift? I'm really enjoying it. didnt have the start we would have liked with a breakage in Round 1 but all in all im enjoying my time in the seat.

What will your next drift car be? Not sure. I'm a bit reluctant to spend money on another car, i"d much prefer to invest the capital in another property.

Why the paint scheme? The current paint scheme is in place to best represent the sponsors. To market them your vehicle needs to be set apart from the crowd but also maximise each companies logos to maximise their investment dollar.

What's your daily driver? Black D40 Nissan navara. Dodge Nitro.

Where are you based? Brisbane.

How many tyres have you gone through? well over 800 i"d say.

What do your friends think of your drifting? Alot of them envy my job. Its a dream job.

Do you make money out of drifting? Yes.

Anyone you’d like to thank? Of course.

Hogstar- Hogs Breath Cafe
Rockstar Energy Drink
Speedy Wheels Aust
Motul-BMC
Nismo- Japan
Toyo Tires
Racing_Logic
Tyrepower Aust
Monkey Warehouse- DMD
Haltech
Dantrans
Showdown Customs

and everyone who has helped out along the way.

Joseph Rigby
0407 782 058

8 Ball Aitken

8 Ball Aitken, (born 9th of June 1981) is a former banana picker from northern Queensland turned singer songwriter known for his work in country and blues & roots.
"I call it honk, stomp, Aussie, swamp music. It is a mixture of country, blues & roots. I write all my own original songs." 8 Ball says.

8 Ball got his name from an actual 8 ball landing on stage during in a gig in North Queensland. He was playing in a rough bikie bar and there was a 'disagreement' by the pool table involving two rough and tumblers, which resulted in the 8 ball being flung right onto the stage, where 8 Ball was playing. He feels that fate chose the name for him.
He has used the name ever since.

When asked how long 8 Ball has been playing music, 8 Ball responded "I started playing the guitar at age 13. I played my first gig aged 15." since then, 8ball has released three albums, "Behind The 8 Ball", "Odd Ball In", and more recently his award winning "Rebel With A Cause" - of which he is currently touring around Australia.
He is also well known for founding the Grass Roots Music Festival.

As well as obviously singing and playing the electric guitar, 8 Ball also plays a variety of other instruments, some of these include the acoustic / slide guitar, banjo, mandolin, lap steel, pedal steel, harmonica, didgeridoo and the drums.

When he is not touring, 8 Ball spends time between Brisbane, Tamworth, and Nashville. He uses this time to discuss touring details and to write songs.
8 Ball is touring for 10 months of the year, and has been to over 15 countries, as well as touring every single state and territory in Australia. When asked where he resides, he responded "I say that my home is where I lay my hat"

8 Ball likes to play at festivals, he has played hundreds of them and festivals, in his opinion, are the places that people go to hear new, fresh, independant music. There are more and more festivals and for a low admission it is a fun day for the whole family.

8 Ball has several different influences "I like to go back to the roots of delta blues, bluegrass and country music for inspiration. I also am a fan of the 70's country rock revival. Some of my favourite musicians are: The Allman Brothers Band, Johnny Cash, The Flood, Paul Kelly, Smoky Dawson, J.J Cale, Bob Dylan, Hound Dog Taylor, Elmore James, Magic Sam, Skip James, Son House, Albert King, Freddie King, B.B King, The Grateful Dead, Steve Earle, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, John Fogerty, Tony Joe White, Seasick Steve, R.L Burnside, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Neil Young, Daddy Cool, Buddy Miller."

8 Ball has played along side many well known acts such as Dr Hook, Ross Wilson, Xavier Rudd and has played in the same shows as many famous country and blues artists. "Playing in between Corb Lund and Don MacLean on the main stage at a festival to 10,000 people in the rain in Canada has also been a career highlight."

With regards to writing songs, 8 Ball only writes songs that mean something to him personally. He says "Whether it is a deep feeling or emotion, or something that I might find entertaining, funny or exciting, I think of titles, then I work on the lyrics. Next I will write the tune, then work out the arrangement and demo the song on my home computer."
He then registers the song with the APRA (Australian Performing Rights Association) ands then he will take the song directly to his studio to record it. It can take many years and dollars for the song to be on radio and television but 8 ball has had several hits on both forms of media.

8 Ball has won several awards which include;

Q Song Country Song of the Year
Q Song Blues Song of the Year
Silver Medallion for Touring, Gold Medallion Awards
Rising Star Award (Male), Southern Star Awards
Golden Guitar nomination
APRA Award nomination
Starmaker Grand Finalist (twice)
International Songwriting Competition Grand Finalist

8 Ball has a very busy touring schedule. So far this year he has toured USA, Germany and is currently touring Australia. He has plans to go to North America and Europe soon. He says he basically circumnavigates the globe twice a year, it's his living, and he loves it.

8 Ball gives thanks to "All the people who come out to support live music and my shows. My manager Bird, my band, my sponsors Maton Guitars, Minarik Guitars, Stomperoo Stomp Boxes, Brigalow Clothing and Pure-Tone Strings have all been supportive along with my close friends."

Joseph Rigby
0407 782 058

Interview With A Drifter - Simon Mercer

Who are you, where are you from?
Simon Mercer, from Brisbane, QLD (The drift state!)

What kind of car do you drift with?
I currently am peddaling a 1985 RA65 Toyota Celica, with a twin turbo 1J.

What else, apart from drifting, do you do?
My geeky hobby? Aquariums. Haha, and i ride a bit of BMX.

What is your inspiration for drifting?
The feeling of freedom. And the rush of feeling completely weightless, but to have so much power and energy propelling you at the same time. It keeps me coming back time and time again.

How do you prepare for a drift event?
My car is fairly trouble free, which is great. I just check fluids, get some tyres, patch up any old damage if need be and try to get some sleep.

How expensive is drifting? How do you afford it?
All i do is drift. Im lucky in the fact that great people are supporting my competition endevours this year, but i have always put everything else aside. I would hate to think what it all owes me, but i wouldnt change a thing.

When everyone was out clubbing and buying ipods and jeans, i was slaving away at work. But i never missed an event. I must have 100 armbands in my old bedroom at my folks house!



How many cars have you had?
I have no idea...i would guess at 15 maybe?

Who helps you at drift days?
I have a great crew of mates, and we all help each other out. Its a good circle. Calum, Brad, Jae, Scotty and Alex just to name a few. They are in a way, my inspiration. Drifting would suck without them. To many awesome people to list! Most helpfull of all is my old man, with the little things like late night spanner sessions etc...

What do you think of stadium drift?
I think its great that we are taking our sport across the state, spreading the good word. The crowds love it, the drivers love it, its just a big circle, propelling itself to bigger and better things each time we run.

Where do you see the future of drifting in Australia?
I think we can expect big things from the next pro tour...ive a feeling Ian is just testing the waters this year. I hope it gets alot bigger, but the "grass roots" style of drifting, or lifestyle if you will, will hopefully always be the same.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully i dont lose my ways! House, lady, company car and filthy beaten drift car sitting in a spotless garage. And a puppy!!!

What got you into drifting?
I was in grade 7, 1999, and my brother Ben bought me a VHS to watch when i was sick. Might have been one of the original HPIs? Watching a japanese dude throw around this little corolla on the streets of japan, clipping a guard rail and not even getting of the gas. I was hooked! That and seeing Josh Youngs pink 86 up close in that same year. I didnt know what i was looking at, but i knew i wanted one!!!

How old are you?
I am 21.5ish

If you could run your own drift series, how would you run it differently?
I think it would be interesting to limit the modifications that drivers are allowed, similar to what is seen in MSC in japan. Whilst the high power, well set up cars can be amazing to watch, close, underpowered drifting would show who has the real nerves and talent!

Whats your dream street car?
I could never have it in Australia, unfortunately the "hoon" culture has destroyed anyones chances of having a tough car on the street. With the police labeling any vehicle thats lowered or has set of wheels a "hoon" car, the stakes are just to high. We are the criminals now, whilst other far more serious crimes will get you a slap on the wrist in some cases. But it would be an RA65 celica, angry 7AGE, quad throttles, insane suspension setup, 15x9 and 11 -30ish SSR reverse mesh. On the deck, dints and scrapes, filthy and noisy. Yum yum! But i will probably buy a JZX90 soon...

Whats your dream drift car?
See above i think...

What was your first car?
I had a lime green 2 door 1975 holden gemini. Race spec 2.3, low, stiff, stripped, locked. My first drift car.

You had to pump the throttle at the lights or it would flood (litterally, fuel would be everywhere!). The holes in the floor scared me. The wheels never matched. But it went sideways and it was mine.

How did you get into drifting?
As i said, seeing that HPI VHS in 1999, seeing Josh Youngs pink 86, and also the articles on the JMS boys in SA from Fast Fours Magazine.

Do you have any regrets?
Selling my gemini... i miss you treefrog!

How do you feel you are competing at this years Stadium Drift?
I think i am holding my own. Most importantly i have learnt and developed my skills alot further white-knuckling it with the big boys then i could have practising on my own. But as long as i dont break anything, or make any silly mistakes, ill be happy!

Who are your crew members?
Calum, Jae, Brad, Alex, Scotty and my old man Malcolm

What will your next drift car be?
Im building a 4AGE KE70 corolla right now for kicks, just a basic beater. Soon i will be making my JZX70 wagon more drift friendly, then later i would like a JZX90. Im a toyota man through and through!

Why the paint scheme?
I didnt want a flashy bright colour (it used to be XR5 orange), i wanted something that would accentuate the natural lines of the car, and make you notice that its a celica, not that its pearl mettalic pink or something! I like it, everyone hates it haha.

What's your daily driver?
Super rare imported toyota GX70 estate wagon, with JZX100 1JZ-GTE, JICs, 33 gtr brakes, Works, Apexi PFC etc etc, Hehe

Where are you based?
Brisbane

How many tyres have you gone through?
Dude...Hundreds. Id hate to think. I always dispose of the the right way though! Dont dump your crap in the bush guys!

What do your friends think of your drifting?
Sometimes they say im insane, or i did something crazy. Which i like because thats what i set out to do. But its more about just drifting with them, not "whos doing what the best", if you know what i mean.

Sometimes they say i fail hard as well! haha.

Do you make money out of drifting?
Nope. I do it for the love of it.

Anyone you would like to thank?
My pit crew, the guys from Kumho Tyres, Hiro Performance.com, Roy at Bosman Wholesale Tyres Archerfield, my parents for allowing me to trash their house with old toyotas and my dad particularly for teaching me about hi tech things like spanners and hammers!

Cheers
Joseph Rigby
0407 782 058