Staff

Dan Perlenfein, General Manager

The whip: 1992 Turbo LS Lexus SC300

The story: I became part of Staff in 2018 when I started helping run grid. The following year I started helping with tech inspections as well as general track operations. In 2020 I started handling driver registrations, "backend" office type work and the front gate with help from my Wife Lynn. In 2021 I was also put in charge of the organization and operation of the 10th annual No Star Bash. An enormous task with tons of pressure from Edgar, I did the best I could at setting up a huge event which I have never done before! At the end of the 2022 season I was promoted to General Manager.

Derek King, Drift Indy Street League Announcer, Clinic Instructor

The whip(s): AE86, FD RX7, Porsche 911... you name it

The story: I went to Drift Indy's first official event in 2006? I ended up as staff to be a driver coach/instructor and that carried onto other general responsibilities and eventually DISL microphone work. Being a part of Drift Indy is being a part of a family that cares about teaching what drifting is supposed to be about and keeping it on the right trajectory for the younger generations to get to experience. My life is heavily evolved around motorsports with drifting being the anchor of it all, I would say I fit into the life of drifting, not the other way around.... am I a f***ing dork? Probably yes.

I've finished top 16 in D1GP and FD ProAm Nationals, I hold an FD license, I've won a Drift Indy series, been top qualifier in Midwest Drift Union, won overall in NASA endurance racing, have multiple class wins in SCCA Hillclimb and SCCA AutoX and have finished in the top 20 in GridLife GLTC.

JB Guillotte, Judge, Instructor, General Jack of All Trades (Not to be confused with Dan of All Trades...I'm not THAT good)

The whip: 2JZ-GTE-Powered 1990 Mazda RX-7 Convertible

The story: I started getting into drifting by watching Option videos and Team Orange demos in 2001-03, and then I attended D1 versus USA in 2004 at Irwindale Raceway in California. I loved the sport so much that I got my first drift car right after that event and started driving on the East Coast. Through my drifting adventures across the US, I first met Edgar from Drift Indy at an event in Texas in 2009. We hung out, partied, and kept in touch. Later, in 2017, I moved to Ohio from California for a job. In the middle of the move, I called Edgar to see if there were drift events close to me, for which he told me they were fifteen minutes away from my house and invited me out. So, I came out to the MDU BroAm that year, drove a few laps, hung out with the crew, and the rest is history. The amazing friends I've made from drifting over so many years are what keep me in the sport, and it's what will keep me in it till the end.

TR Scrivner, Co-Founder/Day Laborer/Mid Driver

The Whip: Black C5 Vette on reps

The Story: I met Edgar in 04 after wandering into a local import shop inquiring about making my car faster (Mazdaspeed Protege, yes, the worst Mazdaspeed). A few weekends later we met up at Slamology, think Indiana hot import nights, but with minitrucks. We shared a bottle of Sailor Jerry, talked shit, slid down a hill naked (not me), wrestled a 400 pound man named Bubba, and became best friends. At the time, I knew very little about drifting, but Edgar was very passionate about the sport. Drifting was different from my perception of motorsports. The cars and driving allowed for so much personal expression, something not seen in autox which I was familiar with. About 6 months later we hosted our first event at the Speedrome. Even though we could barely fill this event, Edgar and I were both invested in trying to build a home for drifting in the Midwest with Drift Indy (a name we came up with via aim). Fast forward to today, we have an amazing community, incredible cars, and overall something to really be proud of. In those almost 20 years, I've built and driven over 20 cars, met some lifetime friends, and hopefully helped shape a few lives for the better.

TJ Walker, Grid and Operations

The whip(s): E46s

The story: After being in the crowd at Street Life Tour I had to try my hand at drifting. I drove every event Drift Indy held at Kilkare for 5 seasons. Helping out with track setup and towing wrecks off track here and there turned into an opportunity to run grid. Now all spring and summer I get to drive and hang out with friends and make new ones at the track.

Shawn Allgood, Media

The whip: Anything a 2.0 Ecoboost will fit in

The story: My first Drift Indy event was the season opener in 2021 with the Bobby's Crew guys. From there I attended both DISL events and No Star Bash. I was brought onto Staff at the end of 2021 because of the vibe and style I brought to the video game. I always try to capture and present the unique vibe from each event as well as showing the fam driving their balls off (ladyballs too, I don't discriminate). In a way there's an allure in drifting video that can't be found elsewhere, the violence of bashing limiter, roasting tires and fat turbo noises juxtaposed to the delicate balance of grip vs spinout within a foot of a fellow drifter. To me, drifting is both a hobby and a lifestyle, a sort of counterculture movement in motorsport where it doesn't necessarily have to be about the quickest lap times or the highest power. Its about having fun with your friends, enjoying the machines that you build, occasionally competing for bragging rights and of course absolutely decimating any tire in the tri-state area. Coming from doing Karting, SCCA and NASA its an absolute breath of fresh air where all the trash talk about being the quickest falls away.

Jonathon Waters, Media

The Whip: 2019 Fiesta ST

The Story: I started going to Drift Indy events more than a decade ago (I wanna say probably 13 or 14 years ago now?) with my brother who introduced me to drifting. The first event I filmed at was in 2017. Technically an MDU x Detroit Drifting Co. event called 'Back to Basics'. Edgar saw some of the stuff I was putting out and asked me to come on board. I did all of the video for DI for two years and have taken more of an auxiliary role since then. Drift Indy events to me are the pinnacle of Midwest grassroots drifting. I've seen so many dudes progressing as drivers while still having fun because of the emphasis put on seat time and the dedication to teaching new drivers with things like the clinics. As far as how drifting fits into my life, it's something I've loved watching since the first time I saw it and I love that I get to capture it for an org like DI and inspire others to pursue automotive media as a hobby/career.

Sam House, Media

The Whip: Dailies a Honda Fit, E30s for projects

The Story: I found out about Drift Indy while I was searching around on Facebook for a car event to photograph for a multimedia project while I was a student at IU. Mario Johnston showed me around Kil-kare during a Sunday Funday and I interviewed a few dudes that were kind enough to sit down with me for a few minutes. That was either late 2017 or 2018, and I've barely missed an event since then. I fully became staff midway through the 2022 season, joining the team as a writer and getting the Drift Indy blog up and running. It's a real privilege to get to be part of such a special grassroots community of drifters.

Isaac Lemley, Operations

The Whip: '01 Lexus GS300

The Story: I started drifting 3 years ago and Drift Indy was my first event. I found out about it from all the Fort Wayne homies. Fortunately, I was asked to join staff this year to help out with the events. Drifting is pretty much all I think about, as cheesy as it sounds. I love the style aspect of drifting as well as the good hangs that come with it.

Mike Skudlarek, Instructor/General Staff

The Whip: Currently - Coyote Swapped SN95 Mustang. Formerly (one day again maybe) - an LS3 powered S13 hatch.

The Story: Drove my first Drift Indy event in '08 or so at one of the first airport events. After that, I started following the DI event schedule to all the different venues, and eventually found myself competing with DI's Pro-Am events. Through these events, I was able to work my way to earning an FD pro license. Around 2013, I stepped back from Pro competition and ran with the DI family in their fun and competition events once again. Between 2014-2018 I was involved as a competition judge, tech inspector and rulebook advisor, marketing, and even partnered with DI in a joint effort with my own grassroots events brand called "Back to Basics" which I started out of the Michigan area. Drift Indy has been the catalyst to make drifting a major part of my life - taking it from a fun hobby in the early days to something that has evolved into a full-time career through my shop, Detroit Drifting Co., and other drifting-related ventures.

Dan Wagner, Cinematographer

The Whip: Acura MDX, saving up for something to start drifting

The Story: May 2023 was my first Drift Indy event, all thanks to Team Shade and Dave Whelen. It wasn't like any other events I’ve filmed; it was like stepping into a new universe. The energy, the roar of the engines, the swirl of tire smoke – it was electrifying. As a cinematographer with a background in commercials, documentaries, and action sports, discovering the drift scene felt like striking gold and i was excited to capture a new action paced sport.

I've always been that guy, camera in hand, ready to capture everything from a skier's mid-air flips to the narrative of a major brand. But filming at Drift Indy? It's a whole different level of adrenaline.

Now, as a member of the Drift Indy staff, I'm excited to play a role in the growth of this incredible community. My goal is to use my filmmaking skills to not only showcase the action on the track but also to bring the spirit of drifting to a broader audience.