I have been trying to go to a Final Bout event in any of the stages since it’s inception in 2014. The event is organized by young OG’s of US Drifting Simba (Grip Gambler) and Ilia (Formerly Risky Devil) along with some staff of Club FR. The event captures the true essence of the automotive sport because it was created by drifters for drifters. They felt that Club FR events were becoming used as a platform only for those that want to go pro. Cars were no longer up to standards and people were drifting their missile cars. Final Bout was then created. This event is a must-attend if you love motorsports or are a fan of Japanese Automotive culture. Style and speed are a must. Every time cars drifted by or I walked by a parked machine, I could not help, but feel appreciation for the number of countless hours it took to take their machines to where it is currently.

The event is truly something special for me on a personal level for a multitude of reasons. Despite all the video and print media, I consumed of drifting throughout the years, I never physically attended an event. I am thankful that my first drift event I attended happened to be Final Bout Special Stage Central. I got to personally make the trek to US Air Motorsports Raceway where it all first happened in Shawano, Wisconsin. Going to where something first all started is always meaningful. To stand the ground where an event first takes place and to witness and see what you have seen in media or read happen right in front of you is a full circle of awe. I am thankful as a fan that events like this exist.

With where drifting is now, we have to first give credit and respect to what the city of Chicago did for American drifting. I will dive into the why with Risky Devil & company in a separate post, but that era from 2007-2013 has paved the way for where we are now. I just remember how cool it was to see a team from Chicago and their affiliates have nice show quality cars and drive the hell out of them. From memory, I recall the only other huge shift in car culture this big was when Hella Flush first started.

The day was divided into four parts. The first being, the open run where drivers can go out and warm up. After the open run, it was lunch and a personal close up for fans to interact with the drivers and their cars. After was the actual event where judges ranked teams and drivers based on their drifting. The winners were announced and a final open run was allowed for drivers to freestyle in the track.

Below is what I want to share with you all of my first time at the beginning where this all took place. Special thanks to the organizers Simba, Ilia, 3LLL, along with USAIR Motorsports Raceway staff, and the four teams that competed in the second day of Special Stage Central, which is Ghost, No Minds, Rough Break, and Vanish. I cannot forget to mention some of the drivers in teams that ran during the free run from Gleam, Bayside, and Bobby’s crew.

The final standings of the day were as follows:
1st place: No Minds
2nd place: Ghost
3rd place: Rough Break
4th place: Vanish