Welcome to the official KAAZ USA Drift Team website! We're excited to start off this new and promising 2009 season! Here on the team's website you will be able to keep up with everything taking place within our drifting program, be sure to check back often as there will be plenty of new information posted. If you have any questions or comments please email us at:newportcars(a)kaazusa.com *(a)=@
............................................................
Rd.1: Streets of Long Beach, CA
April 9-10th Long Beach Grand Prix
Team Drift: Long Beach Grand Prix
April 17-19, 2009 Long Beach CA
Rd.4: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NV
July 10-11th, 2009
Rd.5: Evergreen Speedway, WA
Aug 7-8th, 2009
Rd.6: Infineon Raceway, CA
Sept 12th, 2009
Rd. 7: Irwindale Speedway, CA
Oct. 16-17th, 2009
Rd.1: Streets of Long Beach, CA
April 9-10th Long Beach Grand Prix
Team Drift: Long Beach Grand Prix
April 17-19, 2009 Long Beach CA
Rd.4: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NV
July 10-11th, 2009
Rd.5: Evergreen Speedway, WA
Aug 7-8th, 2009
Rd.6: Infineon Raceway, CA
Sept 12th, 2009
Rd. 7: Irwindale Speedway, CA
Oct. 16-17th, 2009
FD Rd.1 Results:
Qualified in Top32 out of 50 cars, Then qualified into the Top 16 main event. Great turnout overall despite the trouble we had on the weekend.
..............................................................
Team Drift:
Awesome event, due to Tommy Suell's accident at Rd.1 he was not able to complete our 3 car team: Corolla M.O.B. instead John Russakoff ran with Drift Alliance and Yasu Kondo paired up with Chris Kregorian. Chris had problems so Yasu ran the day by himself just having fun under the Long Beach Sun!
Qualified in Top32 out of 50 cars, Then qualified into the Top 16 main event. Great turnout overall despite the trouble we had on the weekend.
..............................................................
Team Drift:
Awesome event, due to Tommy Suell's accident at Rd.1 he was not able to complete our 3 car team: Corolla M.O.B. instead John Russakoff ran with Drift Alliance and Yasu Kondo paired up with Chris Kregorian. Chris had problems so Yasu ran the day by himself just having fun under the Long Beach Sun!
......................................................................................................
......................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
MEET THE KAAZ TEAM!
We're a small group of dedicated members that come together for the hardships and triumph of campaigning a professional drift car. Our team members are always putting 110% effort in times of competition while working well together on and off the track. Since our team is small in size, everyone pitches in and helps where ever they can. Take a look below for some information!
KAAZ USA PRESIDENT / TEAM OWNER : RAY NAKADATE
Mr. Nakadate has been in the automotive business since the early parts of 1980's exporting vintage and exotic cars all around the world. Primarily focused on exporting to Japan, Mr. Nakadate is the founder and owner of Newport Exotic Cars. He founded KAAZ USA in 1998 when introduced to the product line early on. As a fan of motorsports, his vision of drifting and performance differentials gaining popularity in the USA soon became reality when drifting exploited its way to our nation in the late 90's and early 2000's. Mr. Nakadate sees professional drifting as the next NASCAR for the U.S. His opinions on using drifting as a marketing tool for companies to brand and expose products to the mass is widely express. "This motorsport gains so much attention that you can market almost anything to the fans in attendance, we are pioneer's in a sport that will soon gain world-wide expectance and must act on this opportunity now."
GENERAL MANAGER / TEAM MANAGER : CHRIS KHANKAP
With his passion for the sport compact movement, Mr. Khankap has built a foundation amongst this new sport-form and is taking the generation X market to the next level through drifting. As a die-hard enthusiast he is very dedicated to the entire KAAZ Product and Drift Team identity. "As a small team trying to do the impossible, I am honored to be working with the best team members in the industry."
SENIOR TECHINCAL TECHNICIAN : KOH WADA
A important member to TEAM KAAZ, Mr. Wada is a automotive professional and contributes his knowledge and skills to all aspects of the race vehicle. Mr. Wada has built and worked around many vintage,exotic and race cars in his lifetime. His contributions to TEAM KAAZ allow a smooth and hassle free operation within the technical side of TEAM KAAZ.
CREW CHIEF: Tom Le
Mr. Le is the team's crew chief. He takes care of the cars on and off the track. Some of his duties involve vehicle setup, maintenance, tuning and overall vehicle overlook. His contributions to the program keep's everything moving at a smooth and timely manner.
CREW MEMBER: Alex Delacruz
Alex makes sure everything within the operational field of the car is properly running. His assistance to the team and crew chief make him a key component in achieving smooth event and vehicle operation through the day.
We're a small group of dedicated members that come together for the hardships and triumph of campaigning a professional drift car. Our team members are always putting 110% effort in times of competition while working well together on and off the track. Since our team is small in size, everyone pitches in and helps where ever they can. Take a look below for some information!
KAAZ USA PRESIDENT / TEAM OWNER : RAY NAKADATE
Mr. Nakadate has been in the automotive business since the early parts of 1980's exporting vintage and exotic cars all around the world. Primarily focused on exporting to Japan, Mr. Nakadate is the founder and owner of Newport Exotic Cars. He founded KAAZ USA in 1998 when introduced to the product line early on. As a fan of motorsports, his vision of drifting and performance differentials gaining popularity in the USA soon became reality when drifting exploited its way to our nation in the late 90's and early 2000's. Mr. Nakadate sees professional drifting as the next NASCAR for the U.S. His opinions on using drifting as a marketing tool for companies to brand and expose products to the mass is widely express. "This motorsport gains so much attention that you can market almost anything to the fans in attendance, we are pioneer's in a sport that will soon gain world-wide expectance and must act on this opportunity now."
GENERAL MANAGER / TEAM MANAGER : CHRIS KHANKAP
With his passion for the sport compact movement, Mr. Khankap has built a foundation amongst this new sport-form and is taking the generation X market to the next level through drifting. As a die-hard enthusiast he is very dedicated to the entire KAAZ Product and Drift Team identity. "As a small team trying to do the impossible, I am honored to be working with the best team members in the industry."
SENIOR TECHINCAL TECHNICIAN : KOH WADA
A important member to TEAM KAAZ, Mr. Wada is a automotive professional and contributes his knowledge and skills to all aspects of the race vehicle. Mr. Wada has built and worked around many vintage,exotic and race cars in his lifetime. His contributions to TEAM KAAZ allow a smooth and hassle free operation within the technical side of TEAM KAAZ.
CREW CHIEF: Tom Le
Mr. Le is the team's crew chief. He takes care of the cars on and off the track. Some of his duties involve vehicle setup, maintenance, tuning and overall vehicle overlook. His contributions to the program keep's everything moving at a smooth and timely manner.
CREW MEMBER: Alex Delacruz
Alex makes sure everything within the operational field of the car is properly running. His assistance to the team and crew chief make him a key component in achieving smooth event and vehicle operation through the day.
Check out some of our sponsors:
