"The atmosphere at DriftCon is a hard one to match. There's a car show going on while we're drifting, which attracts a large number of people to the event. You get a kind of Fast and the Furious energy coming out to one of these events—it's quite the experience."—Lordco Racing Sponsored Driver Matt Rusiecki

Photography Credits: Darren Benz & Zack Poole

Matt Rusiecki sits in the driver's seat of his stroked 408 LS platform Nissan 350Z. To on-lookers at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington, it appears the Lordco-sponsored racing driver is taking a moment. In reality, his mind is far from quiet. He closes his eyes and visualizes the track layout—every corner, every straight section crucial for the win.

Lordco Racing Sponsored Driver Matt Rusiecki (Centre)

Matt is preparing to compete in the Double 8 Showdown and the Return of the 5/8 at DriftCon. A win in the showdown would secure his championship position in the Pacific Northwest Drift Event Series. It's September 28th, and DriftCon has finally arrived, along with Matt's chance at a first-place finish.

A fan walks up to Matt, asking him to sign his shoe. Surprised, Matt asks if he's sure. The fan replies, "Definitely," and asks Matt how he feels about the competition. Matt smiles for a moment and then answers, "Double 8 always brings out the most talented drivers in the Pacific Northwest. Drivers from grassroots up to accomplished Formula Drift pro drivers". He knows he will have to do his best to win. An announcement over the PA interrupts the exchange. It's time for Matt to head to the grid for the first round of competition.

Excited crowds turn their attention from the show cars on display to the track as the smell of high-octane fuel and burnt rubber fills the air. Light washes over the track, and hopes are high the predicted rain will hold off. Matt secures battle after battle. Then the weather shifts and the rain begins to fall. Nearly all the drivers struggle—their high horsepower drift missiles losing grip on the wet asphalt. The rain doesn't worry Matt, who grew up in Vancouver, Canada, on British Columbia's "wet" coast.

Eventually, the rain eases, making driving conditions even more complicated. Wet patches interspersed with dry spots can cause vehicles to respond unpredictably. With a little luck and much more skill, Matt secures the final battle and readies to face Formula Drift Prospec driver and Washingtonian Jayce Habich on Habich's home track.

Tensions, like the stakes, in this next match are high. Matt quickly pressures Habich, throwing his Lordco Racing-sponsored 350z hard and fast into the first corner. Matt's intensity doesn't let up, and he wins the Double 8 Showdown and Pacific Northwest Drift Championship.

The night concludes with the Hoon-Off, marked by tire shredding and the resulting massive plumes of smoke. Amercian flags billow in the wind as Canadian Matt Rusieck, his team, and friends celebrate a hard fought win.

Learn more about Matt and his PROSPEC licensing journey. Read Pro Am Driver Starts the Season Strong with a Win in Monroe, Washington or follow Matt on Instagram.