Formula Drift Asia 2011 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Day 1 (17th December)

Saturday started in earnest with the sun in its full blazing glory - in other words, it was hot as hell!!  The crowd started to pour in as the event ground opened up its gate.  As per usual, all the drivers lined up at the other end (near the starting line) to get their turns with their practice runs.  This is Formula Drift, where there isn't any permanent circuit to really practice one's craft.  As to the Malaysian drivers, there isn't any home ground advantage to speak of, other than being right at home in their backyard that is.  Hence, every practice session counts to each and every driver, much more to the lesser experienced and rookies.

By mid day, the event was officially opened by the Guest of Honour, welcomed by dancers in traditional garbs.  The qualifying session followed.  No Formula Drift event is complete without the "Oohs" and "Ahs" from the crowd, particularly after each near misses, bumper tearing and wall hugging incidents on the track.  Which are just as as exciting as the loud cannon-like cracks and pops, tire screeches (along with the bellowing thick smokes) the cars produced as they tore down the circuit.

Heavy rain finally came during the late afternoon.  The session paused for about an hour, as several cars skidded and the wet circuit was deemed unsafe.  Luckily, the rain stopped and the track managed to dry up on time (with some help of course) and the session resumed.