Phoenix Drift & Drag Event
This past weekend, I finally made my way down to Phoenix from Flagstaff to attend one of my favorite events of the year – the Drift & Drag event at Firebird Motorsports Park. As someone who lives up in Flagstaff, it’s not always easy to make the trip down to Phoenix for events, but I was in Phoenix and saw that this event was being held while I was there. The event brings together grassroots drifters, media personnel, and car enthusiasts for a day of tire-spinning action, and I couldn’t be more excited to be apart of it. Plus, it was the perfect opportunity to break in some new camera gear after some issues with my old setup.
Firebird Motorsports Park
Taken by: azx visual media
Firebird Motorsports Park is always a great location for events like this. The smell of burning rubber, engines roaring, and the adrenaline of the crowd make it the perfect place to witness the raw passion of motorsports. As I walked in and got my media credentials, I was immediately hit with the excitement of seeing cars lined up and prepped for drifting. There was a buzz in the air as drivers fine-tuned their vehicles and prepared for the chaotic precision about to ensue. It’s incredible how everyone, from the seasoned drivers to the first-time competitors share the same energy and passion for the sport.
Driver changing tires to prepare for their car for drifting
Taken by: azx visual media
Drifting has always been one of my favorite motorsports to photograph. The controlled chaos, the skill of the drivers, and the smoke that fills the air makes for some incredibly amazing shots.
I spent some time walking around the paddocks, chatting with drivers, and capturing the preparation before they hit the track. It was awesome to see the grassroots side of drifting—people putting their heart and soul into their builds, sometimes on a shoestring budget, but always with incredible skill behind the wheel. There’s something about the sense of community in grassroots motorsports that I find truly inspiring. It shows that you don’t need the best of the best to go out and have fun. Because at the end of the day, thats all that matters. Having fun.
Once the drivers cars were prepped, it was time for them to hit the track. For media personnel, thats our cue to race to the k-rails posted around the track, trying to get the perfect angle, keeping all the rules in mind. Whether it’s a car kicking up dirt or a drift car throwing smoke around the entire track. There’s nothing quite like being trackside, only a few feet away from the action!
A bottle of nitrous in a car!
Taken by: azx visual media
Unfortunately, my trusty Sony A6400 has been giving me some issues lately, and I had been dealing with some performance problems that were starting to hinder my ability to capture the high-speed action & sports I love. Add to that the fact that my 18-105mm lens had taken a hard fall during a previous shoot and was no longer properly connecting to my camera body, and it was clear that it was time to bite the bullet and buy some new gear. So, after some deliberation, I pulled the trigger on new gear, and this event was the perfect time to test it out!
Without getting into the specifics (I’ll save that for a dedicated gear review post), I’ll just say that the new gear definitely made a difference. The autofocus is definitely an improvement from the A6400, the in-camera body stabilization was a game-changer for those high-speed shots, and the new lenses provided a much-needed boost in clarity, sharpness, and a higher aperture. I felt much more confident throughout the day, knowing I could rely on my new equipment to capture the action surrounding me.
Mustang Foxbody
Taken by: azx visual media
One of the best parts of events like this is getting to connect with other photographers, media personnel, and car enthusiasts. I met some amazing people who share the same passion for capturing the world of motorsports. I also had some great conversations about upcoming events, photography tips, and gear. I also got a chance to chat with a few of the drivers, learning about the work they put into their cars and what motivates them to keep coming back to the track.
All in all, this Drift & Drag event was everything I hoped for and more. And with my new camera gear in hand, I was able to capture the action in a way that I hadn’t been able to before. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a photographer, or someone just looking for an adrenaline rush, this event is one of the best ways to experience the true, raw passion for the motorsports scene in Phoenix, AZ!
Stay tuned for my next blog post where I’ll dive deeper into the gear I purchased, the decision-making process behind it, and a more in-depth review of how it’s been working for me.
Photos of Xcomp driver Corey Hosfords 2JZ monster!
All photos taken by: azx visual media
