LONG BEACH, Calif – November 9, 2008 – Words & Snaps by Teddy Phuthanhdanh

The Los Angeles County Police Force has been greatly decreasing its tolerance for modified street cars on LA roads. Cracking down on the street racing scene, many grants have been accepted for the regulation of canyon roads, modified street car awareness, and smog checkpoints.

It should have been no surprise to Nieko Gunther (18) and Daniel Giraldo (19) when the police arrived shortly after a session of late night drifting in an empty industrial complex. “We stayed way too long,” commented Nieko. “I drifted right towards the officer. I instantly pulled over, and waited for them to stop us.” Both Nieko and Daniel received reckless driving tickets, and had their cars impounded by the Costa Mesa Police Department. The thread can be found here:

http://www.socal-drift.com/forum/showthread.php?p=16938#post16938

“We each need to raise $1400 in order to get our cars out,” Nieko explains. “I have $850 saved up, and I need to get the rest before two weeks.”

The day brought very windy, cold weather. With water flying everywhere and a chaos of cars in the Long Beach Discount Tire Center parking lot, the day brought much needed fun. With appearances such as Jackson Yang, John Chow and Jason Kim of the 626 Drift Crew, as well as Ze Mom, the donations pot quickly grew. Nieko convinced his own girlfriend, Michelle, to come help with the fundraiser.

Everybody worked hard, determined to get the cars out of the impound yard. Cars poured in one by one, and not just 240sxs’: trucks, station wagons, and daily drivers as well. People from the Honda crowd also came to support. The fun ambiance at the Discount Tire Center helped the cold day along, and although washing cars in freezing cold weather may not exactly seem like a great idea, it truly revealed the boys’ determination.

Nieko and Danny hope to have raised enough to pull their cars out of “car hell” in time for the next 626 Drift at Willow Springs International Raceway. “It’s not worth it,” Nieko explains. “I miss my car.”