In anticipation to Formula Drift Long Beach 2011, channelAPA.com had a chance to talk with drifter Ken Gushi on drifting, his driving career, and more.

1. How did you get into drifting?
-I got into drifting when I was 13 years old. My father had introduced me to the art of sliding cars and wanted to me pursue rallying as a hobby. Soon after I began driving, we were both introduced to drifting which had made its way over from Japan to the parking lot of Irwindale Speedway. At this event, I finished in the top 3 which had surprised many people considering I was only 14 years old. My father’s 1986 Toyota Corolla was the car that started it all for me.

2. What went through your mind when you did your first drift?
-I was immediately addicted to sliding. It was a feeling I had never felt before and it was a very exciting one at that.

3. How did you get on the Formula D racing circuit?
-I have been with the Formula D Series since the very first competition they had held in 2004. I knew it was be a great series because we had no other professional sanctioning bodies at the time.

4. What’s been your most memorable race to date?
-My most memorable race would have to be my very first Pike’s Peak Hill Climb I ran with my father as the co-driver. Although we didn’t finish, I learned a ton from flying over the cliff at Engineer’s Corner. I would love to race at the peak again!

5. You are now race for Scion Racing. Tell us about your car and how it’s unique.
-First and foremost, I feel very honored to be driving for such a committed brand. The Scion brand is all about being unique, individual, different, and with that said, I cannot describe my drift car any better than saying it is unique and awesome! The first point I’d like to make is that we do not keep things the same from one season to another. The Scion Racing drift team always keeps our team fresh by leading the trends you see in the drifting community.

6. What are some of the coolest mods you’ve seen for drifting?
-When it comes to modifying drift cars, you want to have the most extravagant, loud, screaming colors, a car that yells “awesome”. Why? Because afterall, drifting is an art. Well sure you can call it motorsport but I feel like it is a blend of extreme sports, motorsports, art, and personality. You can start to see the driver’s personality to his/her driving if you know that person. With that said, I’d like to point out that wheel choice is very important. Are the wheels flush? Is the car low enough?

7. What are some tips you can give to first time drifters?
The best advice I can give to someone starting out is to overcome your fears. Believe it or not, you can do more than what you think. You gotta try first before you quit!

8. When you’re not racing what type of car do you drive?
When I am not racing, I drive a Lexus GS300. Why? Because it prevents me from doing anything wreckless!! And I enjoy the luxury and comfort while I cruise down Sunset.

Get more details on where you can see Ken Gushi drift here.

Ken Gushi drifting with a Scion tC (you get both wheel and pedal views)