RWD Subaru drift build aka Driftaru 9 questions with owner/driver DJ

Do you have what takes to Join the Crew?

Here are Brewed Motorsports we don't have customers, we have an extend automotive family AKA a "Crew". We pride ourselves in getting to personally know each and every driver we work with as well as their projects.

DJ aka djelly84 (on the forums) is not your ordinary enthusiast, going above and beyond what most only dream of, DJ simply couldn't be held within the confines for what most would consider a "socially acceptable drift car". Over the past few years the Driftaru has developed into a fully built competion level machine. From the early days of a stock EJ20 tuned on the factory ECU RWD conversion and 3 passengers sliding on West track at Fire Bird International race way to the cover of Super Street.

A brief list of "THE BUILD GOODS"
GTX3076R twin scroll turbo
ID 2000cc injector dynamics
Custom EJ22 JE pistons, Manley rods
AEM Engine Management System

The Wish List
Anti Lag system secondary air injection valve

When did your passion for cars begin?

When I was around 14-15. The first car I fell in love with was the 70's Corvette Stingrays . Looking back I don't know why but I remember I was obsessed with them! First car was a 1993 BMW 325is. Black on black. So rad. Bought myself thanks to a weird turn of events with a senior citizen wrecking the family Mitsubishi wagon. I slept in the bimmer in the garage for basically the first week when I got it.

What is your favorite type of motorsport to participate in?

Drifting

Tell me about your current project or projects?

It is a 2004 Subaru WRX. I bought it pretty stock back in 2008. Working with my good friend Eric Franz-Larson of Brewed Motorsports, I began modifying it shortly after I got it. Initially it was my daily driver and I had plans to make it a fun street car and possibly do some time attack & auto cross events in it. After riding along with Eric in the Brewed 240sx at drift events, I quickly became obsessed with drifting. I thought it would be awesome, and unique, to make the WRX into a drift car and decided to follow that dream. I'm sure others who have got the car bug can relate to my experience. Initially I thought I would be satisfied after doing suspension, turbo and supporting modifications, but it seemed each modification just fueled a fire to go bigger and better. Where I stand now, almost every part on the car has been changed (at least once). It is a fully XDC/FD legal dedicated track car (but still street legal and registered until 2013 wooh!).

What are your end goals for your project cars/builds?

To obtain driving skills worthy of such a car and have the same chassis in ten years :)

What are a few of the major inspirations for your builds?

There are primarily two cars that inspired my build. The first was the Brewed 240sx. That was what initiated the build. Eric was the one that actually recommended a WRX and introduced me to drifting…a deadly combination! The brewed 240 made me realize the most beautiful aspect of a car is under the hood. It also made me realize that creativity, not money, is what determines a great build. The second is my close friend Dustin's BMW E36 truck. This is definitely the most intensive build I've ever witnessed, probably will ever witness, and I was basically second behind the owner in terms of involvement. I guess your environment shapes you, and watching a cheap stock 318is get turned into an insanely elaborate 1 of a kind machine, solely by a self-taught, ex-pro skater/bike mechanic/yoga teacher, using only an angle grinder, MIG, and household tools in his garage, definitely pushed my build to a level I never dreamed of.

Besides cars what do you do for fun?

Snowboarding, skating, fishing. Basically anything outdoors or anything that gets my adrenaline flowing.

Do you have many close friends or family that share your passion for motorsports?

My uncle was a test driver for Ford Australia during the 70's and 80's. My dad loved cars and owned a Toyota dealership. I'm sure this has something to do with my passion. But in terms of friends, I've met so many new friends from motorsports just in the last few years. I feel all I see on Facebook is related to cars it's crazy. My wife is a car model. I just haven't met her yet.



Where would you like to be in the world of internal combustion engines/motorsports in 3 years? Any personal goals set? 

In the next 3 years I would like to improve my driving ability and become competitive in grassroots drifting. I would like to be influential in drifting in my lifetime. The sport is young and the possibilities of where it can go are endless.



What is your dream car, project or build?

My car is basically my dream and I want to just focus on getting more seat time. However…I must admit I almost subconsciously still search for a 2-door Subaru Impreza on craigslist on almost a daily basis. Maybe someday…a drift spec GC8 impreza. Or another BMW E36.

Circuit Racing in Thailand

Here at Brewed Motors we take pride building close relationships with all of our customers. Whether you are ordering parts, getting your cars ECU / EMS tuned or need our experienced team at your next track event to ensure your car's suspension, brakes and engine are operating at peak efficiency Brewed Motors has you covered. Always feel free to contact us any time with questions and requests, we are here to make your automotive dreams come true on the track, the street and in your drive way.

Recently a 3 car race team based in Bangkok requested our Track Support service for this seasons 1.5L circuit race series. The team consists of 3 EG civics running D15 engines tuned on Motec M4 engine managment systems. All 3 cars suspension systems have been completely over hauled with Buddy Club control arms, ball joints, and adjustable camber links. 2 of the cars also recently picked up a sponsorship from XYZ (suspension/coilover manufacture in Taiwan) and are using the dual adjustable (32 way compression and 32 way rebound) full track spec coils with a whopping 16k spring rate in the front and 13.5k in the rear.

The first race of the season was held in Pattaya Thailand at Bira circuit.

While most the events allow the use of R compound tires and/or full slicks this event was sponsored by Kuhmo tires and all cars were required to run a 205/50/15 ecsta zx tire with a 180 tread wear rating. While these are some damn fine street tires they simply did not provide enough grip to work with the high spring rates these cars were fitted with. For future events that require the use of a street tires XYZ thailand has agreed to provide us with the spring rates we request, depending on track and tires to be used. Not to worry though, after dialing in tire pressure and adjusting the alignment specs we made the best of what we had to work with for the weekend of racing. 

(2 great Thai technicians that have worked with the team for the last 3+ seasons)

Both qualifying and the main event ran 15 min sessions of open track hot laps, best lap time counted for each driver, all cars did have to start on the grid but could run as few or as many laps as desired by the driver in the allotted 15min. I did not notice any cars come in before the 15 min were up and if you check out the youtube video below i think you'll see why. Saturday was a busy day with qualifying (top 32 drivers move on) fallowed up 3 hours later by the main event. After qualifying 4th and 8th everyone was feeling good and the drivers were just starting to get used to the new suspension. During Saturdays main event one of the cars cracked a wheel after being squeezed off the track causing a drastic loss in tire pressure and putting the car off the pace after only 2 laps. The other car held strong with no mechanical issues and finished 4th over all.

Currently we are working with the team to set up a private track day to do some fine tuning and testing on both street tires as well as R compounds before the next event. Very much looking forward to having more time with these cars and drivers at the track in the new future.