A driving event that offers the best of both worlds.

By Vanessa Lam
Photography by Arnel Solas

Irvine, CA – August 1, 2009 – Daijiro Inada, owner of the renowned JDM Option and host of D1 Grand Prix, gifts Southern California’s driving enthusiasts once again with Dai’s Driving Academy 3 at the old El Toro Marine Base in Irvine, CA. For only $85 (or $95 if you suffer from procrastinating tendencies), drivers may choose between two full grip courses or several drift courses accommodating all driving levels—from street credited drifters to D1GP all stars. Tack on an additional, mere $20 and drivers can experience the best of both worlds.

The day began on Saturday when drivers started to trickle into the registration and tech inspection tent to grab their racing number vinyl’s and wrist bands. Across the distance, the pit area was alive and buzzing with anticipation for the day of tire popping and tire squealing action. In attendance were some of tuning industry’s finest vendors, including GReddy Performance Products and Yashio Factory.

By the time 9am rolled around, the event was in full swing. Plumes of smoke clouds filled the drift tracks and the line for the lap-timed grip course could be seen from a mile away. Geared for most beginner and intermediate level drivers, the event was staffed with racing professionals to give technical instruction whenever needed.

Although there are numerous sanctioned high performance driving events out there, Dai’s Driving Academy has truly made it their own. If you have ever attended HPDE events, you are familiar with the style of getting “called upon” to get out on track. What makes Dai’s Driving Academy so unique is their ability to create a low-stress environment where drivers go out on track whenever they feel like it. For those of you with the predisposition for performance anxiety at driving events, this event might just be the one for you.

To add to the festivities, there is a raffle held with giveaways from companies including Motul, Eneos, Yokohama Tire, and Bride. Each driving participant is awarded three raffle tickets and given the opportunity to purchase however many additional. Although one dubious man (who will remain unnamed) took it upon himself to buy as many additional raffle tickets as his money would allow, ended up winning a large portion of the prizes. The crowd was happy, or so seemingly, for their fellow racer. Also, appearances by celebs like Paul Walker and Nick Hogan are not a surprise here (you’ll know when you hear the high-pitched squeals of a certain demographic).

Be on the look out here for the upcoming Driving Academy 4—rumored to happen this coming September, where you can expect more prizes, vendors, and (possibly) celebs!