Driving Sports Formula D S15 Silvia

We are currently in the process of building an S15 here in Japan which we will be running in Formula D during the 2008 season. We've been working closely with our sponsors (Make an Wake of Art RYO, Works9, Supermade, Driftworks, Work) to bring the Silvia up to a very competitive level.

Originally we were planning on running an ex Time Attack R32 built by Sun Line Racing modified by us for drift use then Works9 came on board and it changed our plans a bit. We needed the car to be running display of all the parts we will have available and when one of your title sponsors doesn't make a kit for the R32 it shakes plans up a bit. :-?

One of the major attractions of the R32 was the fact that it would be the only one (that we know of) running in Formula D next season. With our choices now limited to an S13, 180SX, S15, S15, or FD we decided an S15 was the best platform to go with as they're few and far between in the US although there are a few in FD.

After the decision was made we immediately went out and picked up an S15 Spec S as all we really needed was the frame and there was no sense in spending Spec R when we already had a motor and mission arranged.

The suspension is made up of amazing RYO RII Hi-Max Coilovers (Crazy Night Special), Driftworks adjustable front/rear lower arms and 4 link setup, and some bits from Uras including tie rods, subframe spacers, etc.. Okuyama will be supplying some chassis bracing as well.

The aero is from Works9 of course including the front fenders and rear overs. Supermade was nice enough to supply a rear wing and roof spoiler and the bonnet is coming from D-MAX.

Currently the motor is nearing completion and is an S15 SR20 base stroked up to 2.2L utilizing Tomei rods, crank, pistons, rings, bearings, etc. We're still waiting on the head from NAPREC which features Tomei cams, springs, retainers, lash killer, valves, etc..

We're running a full HKS GT3037 turbine kit along with all the necessary supporting mods. The intercooler/radiator is a v-mount setup which we are nearly done building. We'll be mapping with an A'PEXi Power FC DJ and when all is said and done it should result in around 550PS. At that power level a standard mission wouldn't last a round so an HPI 6 speed dog mission will be thrown into the mix.

We've been debating on what wheels to run for a while now and Work Emotion XD9s were on the top of the list. Work recently came on board which confirmed the choice and now we just have to decide on a color!

Kawabata (owner of Driving Sports Japan) will be behind the wheel of course. As a MSC, D1SL, J-Cup, BM veteran and one of Western Japan's best drivers we have high hopes for our debut at Long Beach in April. If finances allow it we'll be doing our best to attend almost every round next season.

The S15 might get to stretch it's legs before then at D1USA depending on when the first round is. The S15, my Chaser, and our D1GP S13 democar from RYO will be in the US by mid-December where all three will be receiving Formula D spec cages.

We're still finishing the competition motor but tomorrow the back-up motor is going in and we'll heading up to Bihoku for test/tune and to get Kawabata some seat time on Tuesday.





































Cheers!
www.drivingsports-na.com

[Bebop]

If I had those choices i would have picked a FD

But damn that car is hot, one more thing to look forward too next season.

[P.Haire]

Kawabata in Formula D? Sweet! Are any other MSC/D1 drivers going to compete next year?

[SDARsupertuner]

it needs a vqswap.com kit in it

[Johny5]

sweet christ thats gorgeous, impressive aero selection

[Slapshotnerd]

any word on who the driver will be?

[Mike Peters]

Kawabata (owner of Driving Sports Japan) will be behind the wheel of course. As a MSC, D1SL, J-Cup, BM veteran and one of Western Japan's best drivers we have high hopes for our debut at Long Beach in April. If finances allow it we'll be doing our best to attend almost every round next season.

[slideways2004]

did you stitch weld the chassis? car looks great. according to his text, Kawabata will be the driver and they hope to attend every FD event

p.s. that is THE BRIGHTEST/LOUDest red i have ever seen. its indoor and the paint looks badass

[Slapshotnerd]

yeah, i'm an idiot

[cfrost]

ohhhhh my it's beautiful

[hatebbobbarker]

why formula D? most of your sponsors dont have a presence in the US, or is that why, to promote driving sports in the US and such?

Originally Posted by Slapshotnerd

yeah, i'm an idiot

duh

"why formula D? most of your sponsors dont have a presence in the US, or is that why, to promote driving sports in the US and such?"

We were actually planning on sending a car over for D1USA as Kamimoto and Kawabata are good friends. They actually went to school together and he only lives about 20 minutes from our shop.

A few months ago we were out at lunch and Kamimoto told us about Formula D which sparked out interest. After some research and watching a number of episodes of the Drift Zone we contacted Jim @FD and found out what we needed to do to get Kawabata a license.

All the companies supporting our car will have a presence in North America next year as we will be distributing for them among others.

"did you stitch weld the chassis? car looks great. according to his text, Kawabata will be the driver and they hope to attend every FD event

p.s. that is THE BRIGHTEST/LOUDest red i have ever seen. its indoor and the paint looks badass"

The chassis isn't stitch welded. We still have a commitment to run in D1USA so scheduling conflicts may force us to miss a round or two of Formula D. The red we spray all our cars actually has a bit of yellow in it which makes it pretty damn bright.

[UNITEDMASTER]

Hello ,man that car is soooooo clean. Quick question where is the cage,or will you be doing the bolt in thing.

The cage is being done when the S15 arrives in the US. For Formula D next season bolt-in cages aren't going to be permitted.

[slideways2004]

Originally Posted by UNITEDMASTER

Hello ,man that car is soooooo clean. Quick question where is the cage,or will you be doing the bolt in thing.

+1. i knew the interior was missing something

The car looks SHARP!! Hope to see some action shots w/ Kawabata!!

Keep us updated!!

The car looks SHARP!! Hope to see some action shots w/ Kawabata!!

Keep us updated!!

[Brian]

All the cars will get Formula D spec cages because drifting in USA is serious business.

[Mike Peters]

yah, they putting a rollcage in after they do the turbo piping on the ka-t setup in the engine bay. they are running the exhaust thru the car so they have to do that before the cage, dont you guys read the internet?

[Edgar]

Great looking car guys!

[CHEAP_SEX]

Pease post the rest of the build on ZIlvia!!!
I’m sure they will love the fact that someone is finally distributing these sought-after parts !!

[EverythingDrift]

love the rear wings

I found a vid of the first start up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mtrqGsd-PA

[Jhonda]

Originally Posted by Driving Sports

We are currently in the process of building an S15 here in Japan which we will be running in Formula D during the 2008 season. We've been working closely with our sponsors (Make an Wake of Art RYO, Works9, Supermade, Driftworks, Work) to bring the Silvia up to a very competitive level.

Originally we were planning on running an ex Time Attack R32 built by Sun Line Racing modified by us for drift use then Works9 came on board and it changed our plans a bit. We needed the car to be running display of all the parts we will have available and when one of your title sponsors doesn't make a kit for the R32 it shakes plans up a bit. :-?

One of the major attractions of the R32 was the fact that it would be the only one (that we know of) running in Formula D next season. With our choices now limited to an S13, 180SX, S15, S15, or FD we decided an S15 was the best platform to go with as they're few and far between in the US although there are a few in FD.

After the decision was made we immediately went out and picked up an S15 Spec S as all we really needed was the frame and there was no sense in spending Spec R when we already had a motor and mission arranged.

The suspension is made up of amazing RYO RII Hi-Max Coilovers (Crazy Night Special), Driftworks adjustable front/rear lower arms and 4 link setup, and some bits from Uras including tie rods, subframe spacers, etc.. Okuyama will be supplying some chassis bracing as well.

The aero is from Works9 of course including the front fenders and rear overs. Supermade was nice enough to supply a rear wing and roof spoiler and the bonnet is coming from D-MAX.

Currently the motor is nearing completion and is an S15 SR20 base stroked up to 2.2L utilizing Tomei rods, crank, pistons, rings, bearings, etc. We're still waiting on the head from NAPREC which features Tomei cams, springs, retainers, lash killer, valves, etc..

We're running a full HKS GT3037 turbine kit along with all the necessary supporting mods. The intercooler/radiator is a v-mount setup which we are nearly done building. We'll be mapping with an A'PEXi Power FC DJ and when all is said and done it should result in around 550PS. At that power level a standard mission wouldn't last a round so an HPI 6 speed dog mission will be thrown into the mix.

We've been debating on what wheels to run for a while now and Work Emotion XD9s were on the top of the list. Work recently came on board which confirmed the choice and now we just have to decide on a color!

Kawabata (owner of Driving Sports Japan) will be behind the wheel of course. As a MSC, D1SL, J-Cup, BM veteran and one of Western Japan's best drivers we have high hopes for our debut at Long Beach in April. If finances allow it we'll be doing our best to attend almost every round next season.

The S15 might get to stretch it's legs before then at D1USA depending on when the first round is. The S15, my Chaser, and our D1GP S13 democar from RYO will be in the US by mid-December where all three will be receiving Formula D spec cages.

We're still finishing the competition motor but tomorrow the back-up motor is going in and we'll heading up to Bihoku for test/tune and to get Kawabata some seat time on Tuesday.





































Cheers!
www.drivingsports-na.com

That is the coolest S15 I have ever seen.

found a video of the "shakedown"!!! kawabata blows the #3 cylinder, but still manages to kill everyone else on the course!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGTZXLEsHK8

check it out!! the car looks awesome!! (even if it was running on three cylinders half the time)