Dream Team: Animal Style

Published in NZ Performance Car Magazine
Issue 229 / January 2016


I find it difficult to explain my love affair with the US, but I think what it all boils down to is the amount of positivity that shines from its thriving drift culture. There is a certain kind of serenity I seem to find when attending events here, and it is definitely on a different level from some of the local days back home in New Zealand. Whether it’s tossing wrenches between pits or sharing beers among friends, you just can’t seem to beat a good ole American shakedown at the racetrack.



There's a drift team — Animal Style — that stands in a league of its own. With the combination of aggressive driving on track and laughter with like-minded people, it’s no wonder that they’re taking the drifting world by storm.


Admittedly, I’d personally spent a decent amount of time in the past in front of a computer watching the video antics of team members Julian Jacobs and Ryan Kado (drivers of the 1JZ Nissan S14 and RB20 Nissan 180SX, respectively) and I was a little anxious when Julian told me that they were unable to make it to this year’s annual JustDrift All Star Bash event.



That being said, it certainly wasn’t hard to find the rest of the team setting up camp near the entry to the notorious Horse Thief Mile track, and, calling on my wealth of internet knowledge, I marched on over to a familiar-looking fella in a sea of red.

“How’s the BEAMS holding up?” I asked Andy as he put down his gloves and helmet.

“Perfect,” he responded. “I’m just about to head back out there actually — you’re coming, too.”



A couple of wristband waves and seat-belt clicks later, I was sideways, careening down the entry straight of Willow Springs Raceway, a hand’s reach away from another Animal Style car behind us doing the same. When it was all over, they threw their helmets down in a burst of laughter.

“Dude, did you see me? I almost hit you — it was awesome!”



I guess that is what drift team Animal Style is all about: positively showcasing members’ love for low cars and grass roots
drifting by pushing each other as close as they can to the limits - then working together to fix any bumps and troubles before they enter another event and complete the cycle, with plenty of time for friends and no time at all for negative vibes.



I commend the boys at Animal Style for the amount of commitment they have put into their cars simply for a bit of fun and to inspire others to do the same. I mean, hey, who wouldn’t want to be around that sort of culture?



I can’t wait to see what the future brings for this team. Whatever happens, I’m sure it won’t be without a few scraped walls and lost bodykits.