Matt Vankirk joins us on Episode 5 of Behind the Wheel podcast! Currently the leading FD Pro Rookie of the year, Scott sits down with Matt and talk the ups and downs of jumping from PRO2 to PRO, having to work a full time job while being a FD driver and also, will driving simulators a part of the future for the sport? All this and much more in this awesome episode!
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FOLLOW: Matt Vankirk: @mattvankirk18 https://www.instagram.com/mattvankirk18/
Scott Weiss (Konig): @scott_Konig https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/
MATT VANKIRK is a formula drift Pro driver and is currently leading the FD Rookie of the Year race. With half a season under his belt Matt discusses what it is like to compete with the best drifters in the world. VanKirk’s entire team operate on extremely tight budgets and without the safety nets of spare parts! Heck, the engine in his pro car right now is even a junk yard 2JZ. Even with all of that VanKirk and his entire team show so much love toward each other, their fans and the sport of drifting that its hard not to immediately become a fan after having some exposure to their program.
Matt also takes time to discuss his rise through grassroots drifting in to professional competition. One of the most interesting take aways from this conversation is Matt’s input and thoughts on the use of homemade driving simulators to learn, practice and even preview tracks with specific car setups. “ Drift Simulators “ are allowing drivers to enter the scene with an in-depth understanding of driving technique which fasttracks their progress.
Could driving simulators be the future of the sport and even lead to its growth in participation?
Make sure to take a few minutes to listen in and as always you can use our timeline cheatsheet to jump around in the podcast and hear what excites you the most.
Thanks for all of your support and listening!
And please, if you like the podcast and what we’ve been doing here, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and we always put the full video interviews on our YouTube Channel (links below)! Thank you for listening!
CONTENT CHEAT MENU (podcast audio): 0:18 | Intro / 10 question quick-fire 3:32 | Introducing Matt Vankirk 4:03 | We just met… and it felt like Family 5:03 | We do it for free… team roles 6:43 | Getting the team together 11:00 | Moving to a V8 powered car 11:40 | Police cornered us at a storage unit 12:35 | It’s getting hot in here…fire everywhere! 14:08 | Who does most of the car build work 14:39 | What is your program like to run? 16:28 | Running a Pro FD Program with a full-time job 17:41 | Typical event week 18:33 | Prepping the car 19:03 | Gambling… no spare parts! 21:20 | Go pro 1 or not 22:55 | The car is not competitive! It has a stock 2JZ junkyard bottom end 23:27 | I’m going on the record… (Scott – Konig) 25:32 | It’s not the power, it’s the torque – 2JZ talk 28:28 | A new car for next year? 29:10 | If I had to make this car better 36:26 | Reliability change to Pro 1 (of drivers) 37:52 | First exposure to cars 39:34 | First exposure to drifting 42:06 | Street drifting and the cops (arrested) 44:19 | Any FD Driver you look up too? 45:03 | Running your first Pro 1 event 46:07 | Dealt some tough matches 48:14 | Going from 225 to 275 tire 49:47 | Do you think about the “Rookie of the year” race? 50:59 | First time driving some of these tracks 51:34 | Using drift simulators to preview tracks 55:24 | Driving simulators in drifting 1:00:14 | Will simulators become a popular tool in drifting 1:01:17 | Advice for building your own simulator 1:03:26 | Are you on twitch? 1:04:43 | #neverletgo 1:07:49 | “My girlfriend drifts too!” 1:09:59 | Final thoughts: Where do you see yourself drift wise in 3-5 years? 1:12:50 | FD judging is improving the sport 1:13:54 | Where to find Matt / outro
FOLLOW: Scott Weiss (Konig) Instagram: @scott_Konig https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/
Matt Vankirk: @mattvankirk18 https://www.instagram.com/mattvankirk18/
On this episode of The BEHIND THE WHEEL PODCAST: QUICK SHIFT edition, we are joined by none other than Formula Drift Pro and Pro 2 driver, Kevin Lawrence!
After a successful 2017 season and being crowned PRO2 CHAMPION, Kevin Lawrence returned primarily as a rookie in the FD PRO Championship series! Kevin is running both Pro and Pro2 seasons at the same time in 2 different cars (S14 and R32) and he gives us feedback on the differences in both classes. Also, drops some knowledge to the pro-am, grassroots drivers on what it takes to run a successful and competition ready program!
If you like what you hear and see, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and of course the full video version of every episode is on YouTube! Thank you!
You can also, subscribe or download the podcast on our website, iTunes, Google Play, Youtube & Stitcher:
Thanks for listening!
FOLLOW: Kevin Lawrence: @k_lawrence352 https://www.instagram.com/k_lawrence352/
In this Quick Shift Edition of the Behind The Wheel Podcast, we link up with KEVIN LAWRENCE, Formula Drift Pro, and Pro2 driver.
We find out what it’s like being the current “RB King” of Formula Drift, running both Pro and Pro2 seasons at the same time in 2 different cars (S14 and R32), making the jump from Pro2 to Pro, being a Pro1 rookie and driving new tracks.
Kevin also drops some knowledge and tips for the grassroots drivers that are working toward advancing their programs and takes us through the types of adjustments and changes that happen every round to bring the car from the trailer to a competitive state.
Make sure to follow Kevin and Enjuku Racing (information below).
Oh and if you like the podcast and what we’ve been doing here, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes and Google Play! Thank you for listening!
FOLLOW: Scott Weiss (Konig) Instagram: @scott_Konig https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/
Ryan Litteral: @k_lawrence352 https://www.instagram.com/k_lawrence352/
On this episode of the Konig BEHIND THE WHEEL PODCAST we chat with former editor-in-chief of Modified Magazine and current co-mastermind behind the online and YouTube automotive content source Speed Academy, Peter Tarach!
After the closing of Modified Magazine in 2014, Peter was at a stand still. In this podcast he gives us his journey onto how he co-found Speed Academy with Dave Pratte. As well as gives us insight on being a YouTuber, the automotive industry, the marketing world and much more!
Stay tuned because this one is for sure a good one! You can head to the podcast page below and see the timecode cheatsheet to jump around!
If you like what you hear, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and of course the full video version of every episode is on YouTube! Thank you!
You can also, subscribe or download the podcast on our website, iTunes, Google Play, Youtube & Sound Cloud:
Peter Tarach, former editor-in-chief of Modified Magazine and current co-mastermind behind the online and YouTube automotive content source Speed Academy, lends us his time to talk about cars, the automotive industry, magazines, losing his job after the closing of Modified Magazine, car features, being a YouTuber, turning out content and so much more!
Pete was the written voice behind some of the most memorable car features over the past 15 years. In 2014 his time as Editor-In-Chief of Modified Magazine came to a halt as Source Interlink (the then owner of Modified Magazine) made a decision to close the magazine. After leaving modified magazine Pete brought his voice and love of automotive forward by co-starting Speed Academy with Dave Pratte. Tarach’s knowledge and love of the automotive industry and cars, in general, allows an extremely unique perspective. If you have the time, this is a great listen and even offers new Youtubers some extremely vital tips in growing their channel.
And please, if you like the podcast and what we’ve been doing here, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and we always put the full video interviews on our YouTube Channel (links below)! Thank you for listening!
CONTENT CHEAT MENU (podcast audio): 0:18 | Intro 0:27 | 10 Question Quick Fire 5:52 | Meet Peter Tarach 6:53 | Don’t have time…use our cheat sheet! 7:15 | Praise! 8:15 | Ran its course [leaving Modified Magazine] 9:14 | You had the fortitude 10:20 | Originally Speed Academy was going to be a blog… 12:04 | Dave Pratte 14:00 | Modified Magazine was born in Canada 14:45 | What brought you to cars? 16:00 | DSM beginnings 21:35 | Becoming a magazine editor 23:58 | Does film school help with Youtube? 24:13 | What else besides a magazine editor? 25:13 | What do you do for a living? 26:51 | The Modified days 30:01 | All about car features 36:50 | What did Modified mean to you? 40:05 | More content, NOW! 44:53 | About more than followers 46:00 | Work hard… have faith! 48:36 | Long-term plan for Speed Academy 51:25 | What does your day of work look like? 53:20 | The struggles… the planning 01:01:06 | Planning current builds 01:02:28 | How many builds 01:04:00 | Plan for the cars 01:05:59 | Cool build for the future 01:07:08 | B is for build vs. Speed Academy 01:10:27 | Do comments ever get to you? 01:12:07 | Modified comes to an end 01:14:36 | Between “jobs” / Starting Speed Academy and starting a YouTube channel 01:17:24 | Speed Academy doubts 01:18:20 | What would you do in another life? 01:19:45 | Branding vs. Production 01:21:00 | Looking for more help 01:24:54 | Shooting schedules 01:26:17 | Disagreements 01:27:00 | YouTube scene in 1-3 years 01:31:30 | Facebook / Facebook vidoes 01:34:52 | Tips for new YouTubers 01:37:40 | Final thoughts / 5 years from now 01:38:53 | Wrap up
FOLLOW: Scott Weiss (Konig) Instagram: @scott_Konig https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/
Scott and Joey take us into Formula Drift New Jersey and discuss FD Point System, Pawlawk coming in guns blazing, Vankirk showing he deserves rookie of the year, Pro 2 Smoke line affects and more in this Edition of BEHIND THE WHEEL PODCAST FD EDITION! Tune in and give us some feedback!
You can also, subscribe or download the podcast on our website, iTunes, Google Play, Youtube & Sound Cloud:
In this special, Formula Drift edition episode of the Behind The Wheel Podcast, we cover some of the highlights from Round 4 at Wall, NJ, talk about the points race and even get into how tire smoke may be the one thing that pro drivers coming from Pro2 never saw coming?
Make sure to listen. If you like what we’re doing here, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes and Google Play! Additionally, every full episode is uploaded to YouTube! …. (details/cheat sheet below!)
CONTENT CHEAT MENU: 0:18 | Intro 0:52 | Falken Tires goes hard at Wall! 2:12 | Ken Gushi, he’s a veteran and it shows! 4:48 | Vankirk shows why he should be Formula Drift Rookie of the Year! 5:59 | What MVK Racing needs for next season. 8:49 | The role of horsepower 9:20 | Pawlak comes guns blazin’ 10:45 | Fields comes in strong at FDNJ! 12:29 | A match we need to see again! Deane vs. Wiecek 13:37 | 100th event for Formula Drift 14:50 | FD winners and the global impact of the sport. 16:49 | Wang has a demolition party! 18:04 | Consistency of the judges 23:31 | Dean ends cold streak w/ FDNJ victory! 26:14 | How FD points are distributed 29:13 | Wall Stadium…the good, the bad, the Jersey. 33:15 | How the smoke line affects the game. 36:48 | Wrap up / Contact info
Scott and the Konig team were able to catch up with Ryan Litteral at Formula Drift New Jersey at Wall Stadium. On this edition of The BEHIND THE WHEEL PODCAST: QUICK SHIFT edition, we are joined by none other than Formula Drift Pro and Pro 2 driver, Ryan Litteral!
With a lot of experience and seat time, Ryan gives insight and tips to upcoming drivers on how to run and market a successful program. Ryan also gave us some insight on what the Koruworks team was doing to prepare the 350z for Formula Drift’s 100th competition round at Wall Stadium!
If you like what you hear and see, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and of course the full video version of every episode is on YouTube! Thank you!
You can also, subscribe or download the podcast on our website, iTunes, Google Play, Youtube & Sound Cloud:
Thanks for listening!
FOLLOW: Ryan Litteral: @Ryanlitteral https://www.instagram.com/ryanlitteral/
Ryan Litteral might have made his Formula Drift Pro1 competition debut at #FDNJ (Wall Stadium) however, he is far from new to professional competition. Litteral is an experienced FD Pro2 driver and has been running his own program for well over 10 years. This year he has teamed up with Koruworks out of Atlanta Georgia to compete in their LS Swapped 350z in both FD Pro1 and Pro2 series.
Ryan is extremely knowledgeable about what it takes to become a professional drifter, run a successful program as well as market that program. We had a few minutes to chat with Ryan about some of these things at Formula Drifts 100th competition round. Litteral drops some serious knowledge here…check it out!
Make sure to follow Ryan and Koruworks (information below).
Oh and if you like the podcast and what we’ve been doing here, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes and Google Play (links below)! Thank you for listening!
FOLLOW: Scott Weiss (Konig) Instagram: @scott_Konig https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/
Ryan Litteral: @ryanlitteral https://www.instagram.com/ryanlitteral/
