Starting this journey raises a lot of questions: Why Michigan? Why Kalamazoo? Some might think I'm out of my mind for tackling a three-day festival without prior multi day experience. However, I thrive on challenges and refuse to stay within my comfort zone. After all, there's a well-known saying we all know: no risk, no reward! So, let’s dive in and embrace the adventure!
A few years back, I contacted Kalamazoo Speedway after witnessing the incredible drifting taking place there. The sight was nothing short of exhilarating; imagine an oval track completely paved, with skilled drivers maneuvering their cars in a thrilling drift between the buildings in the infield and then carrying their speed to the outer banks. I was captivated by the spectacle and knew I had to experience this exhilarating chaos for myself. I just had to come here.
A few years ago, my initial attempts to connect with the track didn’t yield any results. However, this year, I received a message from them stating that any event I wanted to host there would need to be done in collaboration with the local team. At first, I was puzzled by this requirement, but after having a conversation with the local crew, known as Automodied, everything started to make sense. These guys know what's up. 
Shortly after, we reached a mutually beneficial agreement, paving the way for the next steps. Now, it’s time to dive into the details of event planning, which includes creating the event page, ticket link, descriptions, flyers, and all necessary marketing materials. As this is my first experience organizing a three-day festival, I’m fortunate to have the support of our new friends at Auto Modified, who have provided a proven blueprint to guide me through the process.
When we arrived on Thursday night to meet our sound team for setup, I was excited to connect with Mike Ronan, the only person I knew from Michigan's music scene. Mike is not just a music enthusiast; he’s a significant figure in the local industry, so I reached out to him to manage the music, stage, artist and sound setup for the weekend. Although this setup was one of the smaller ones I’ve booked, it quickly proved to be one of the loudest. Within just ten minutes of our sound check that night, we received requests to lower the volume from the owners of the track, which made me confident that this weekend was going to be a vibrant experience.
Also, on Thursday night, I finally had the chance to meet Tucker, the mastermind behind Auto Modified and Slidewayz at the zoo. Until then, our interactions had been limited to emails and a few phone calls, so a face-to-face meeting was long overdue. I was eager to connect with the team we would be collaborating with over the weekend. I was pleased to find that everyone on their team was not only solid but also genuinely welcoming. 
After unloading and setting up the sound rig, we established our basecamp. We then gathered around, enjoyed a few drinks, and relaxed as we shared stories and strategized for the weekend ahead. Lets take a look at some of the camping setups. 
The time has come to discuss the event itself. Unfortunately, my usual team that accompanies me to out-of-state events was unable to join, except for one member. Fortunately, our new friends at Auto Modified had a well-staffed crew, which made a significant difference. I truly appreciated the sense of camaraderie and brotherhood within the Auto Modified team; it was a refreshing experience to witness such strong bonds among fellow enthusiasts. Like a breath of fresh air.
Day one kicked off on Friday, and I expected it to be a bit quieter than the weekend since it's a weekday and many families are busy with sports and other activities. The atmosphere felt like a tokyo car meet, complete with drifting and an outstanding lineup of music. To my surprise, Friday turned out to be quite vibrant, especially with the music. My favorite DJ of the weekend, DJ Konumdrum, performed that night, and his set was absolutely electrifying!
Saturday was a whirlwind of excitement, with a massive turnout of drift drivers, several show cars, a couple of food trucks, and a bustling crowd. The local car crew "Out-of-Pocket" made a striking impression with their lineup of slammed vehicles, including a Volkswagen Jetta that was possibly the lowest I've ever seen. Another standout from their collection was an impressive FRS/BRZ, which added to the crew's appeal and showcased their passion for automotive culture.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the atmosphere at the track transformed into something electric. The bass reverberated through the air, the stage illuminated brilliantly, and the crowd gathered to soak in the exhilarating blend of drifting and music. The headliner on Friday night quickly became my favorite act of the entire weekend, setting a vibrant tone for Saturday's lineup. We kicked off the day with the music slightly louder than the previous night, gradually building up to a full-throttle experience by the time darkness enveloped the scene.
In retrospect, I would simplify the ticket options to make them less confusing for consumers, but we learn from our experiences. Additionally, it might have been wise to avoid scheduling our event on the same weekend as the Street Car Takeover, which is just 20 minutes away. Their original date was rained out, and they coincidentally rescheduled for the same weekend as ours. Sometimes, that's just how things unfold.
The highlight of my weekend was the exhilarating experience of driving my own Honda around a historic 75-year-old speedway. I captured some great photos of my car and I recorded the few laps I did on the track. One of the most thrilling moments was having the entire track to myself for about 20 minutes on Sunday, before anyone else had the chance to drive. It was an unforgettable experience.
