Posts tagged Fukuoka Japan

Drifting in Fukuoka has a long history and has had an active scene for many many years. It has gone through many changes but at it’s roots it’s still the same as it was when it started, which is “a bunch of guys/girls with their cars hanging out having fun”.  A lot of the drifting that is done in Fukuoka is done Illegally but in the last several years a lot of the shop owners and pioneers of the sport have been trying to keep it on the track.  I wont lie and say that there is no illegal drifting going on in Fukuoka, because there is. Just about every weekend you can find street drifting, but you have to know where to go to find it. One place that you I feel comfortable disclosing is the Hakata Port. The only reason why I don’t mind telling you about this place is because the police are very aware of it and break up the drifting just about every weekend. It’s a cat and mouse game which can be fun to watch, but be careful watching is illegal too.  If you really want to know where other drifting is happening contact me at info [ at ] fukuoka talk [dot] com.

Secret Fukuoka Touge 福岡峠

Sekia Hills Circuit

Sekia Hills Pit Area

Now for the legal places to Drift in Fukuoka? Well the best and closest place to drift in Fukuoka is at Sekia Hills race track about an hour drive from Fukuoka City by highway. It is the place you want to go if you want to watch or do any drifting near Fukuoka. The next track you can drift at is Autopolis which is deep in Kumamoto Prefecture. It is a full sized circuit that hosts a lot of professional driving series but on occasion you can drift there.  For me there is only one choice and that is Sekia Hills, because that is basically my “Home Track”. It’s where I have been the most and it’s where at any given moment you can usually find a bunch of people drifting.

If there is any shop in Fukuoka that epitomizes drifting in Fukuoka it would be URAS.  Uras is owned and operated by Nomura Ken (Nomuken) who is one of the worlds most popular and well known drifters.  I guess you would classify him as the “Class Clown” of the drifting world. He is often seen making weird faces or poses, but don’t underestimate his driving ability.  He has the skills, no doubt! URAS is located on the East side of the airport and is not the easiest place to get to if you dont have a car. If you don’t have a car and you really need to get there you can try to take the bus or take a taxi from the airport subway station.  The best option is to find someone with a car and get them to take you there.  The staff doesn’t really speak English very well but they know enough to have a chat with you once you break the ice. Your best bet is to talk to the store manager Nagai-san. He knows a lot more English than Nomuken.  Regardless of the language barrier URAS is a must see shop if you have any interest in Japanese Sports Cars or Drifting!!

If you have any questions about Drifting in Fukuoka, feel free to comment on the post or send us an email. We know a lot of people in the scene and if we can’t answer your question, we know someone that can.