In addition to cheering for Chelsea Denofa to secure the Formula Drift championship, I have been closely following two other drivers in the series as of late. Both of them managed to finish in the Top 10 out of a field of 36 competitors in 2023. I had the opportunity to conduct an interview with Kazuya Taguchi in September 2022. Despite facing some unfortunate circumstances, I firmly believe that he has the potential to claim the title within the next five years.
However, he will have to face formidable opponents in the series, including Aasbo, Backchis, Tuerck, Field, Forsberg, and Deane. There is also another name on that list that deserves recognition. Simen Olsen has been making a significant impact in Formula Drift ever since he joined the Feal Suspension Race Team at the beginning of 2023.
I still vividly recall my initial visit to Gatebil, which is why I wanted to interview Simen Olsen while he still maintained his underdog status. I am willing to bet that he has the capability to secure the crown as early as 2024. I managed to catch up with him while he was en route to Sweden for a few days of ice drifting in his Toyota Supra MK4. I could have easily spent an entire day conversing with him about cars and the thrill of drifting. This 26-year-old Norwegian resides in Hovag, approximately 186 miles (300 km) away from the capital city of Oslo. He has been involved in drifting for seven years now, and his journey may serve as an inspiration for individuals who aspire to pursue their motorsport dreams, regardless of how insurmountable they may appear.
As always, I was intrigued to discover where it all began for Simen and how he developed his passion for cars. “My interest in cars has been ingrained in me since day one. I used to play with Hot Wheels on my City Life playmat rug. Naturally, I was also drawn to the Need for Speed series, with Most Wanted being my personal favorite! I am the first in my family to possess such a strong passion for cars; my father was solely focused on work and our family business. However, one of my uncles worked as a mechanic and specialized in constructing custom cars for a living. When I was around nine or ten years old, he took my cousin and me to family-friendly automotive events, imparting his knowledge about car culture.”
“I am incredibly grateful for his support, and I will never forget my inaugural trip to Gatebil when I was ten years old. I still possess around 60 or 70 issues of Gatebil magazine, which I used to avidly read back in the day. The Toyota Supra MK4 held a special place in my heart during my formative years. It served as the wallpaper on my phone, and I consistently aimed to unlock it in video games and other related media.” After celebrating his 19th birthday, Simen made a firm decision: he wanted to embark on a drifting journey. He stumbled upon a Nissan Skyline ER34 with a 2JZ engine on an online marketplace.
Image: Simen Olsen
“I informed my father of my desire to purchase a drift car. While I had the funds to acquire it, I needed additional resources for potential repairs. Our conversation was lengthy and went back and forth. I was adamant, and he responded, ‘It’s your money, do as you please. However, I don’t believe you should invest in a non-road legal vehicle that can only be utilized four or five times a year on the racetrack.'” Consequently, Simen, like any rational individual, proceeded to purchase the Skyline on the following day. Over the years, his family has fully embraced and comprehended his passion for the sport, eagerly supporting him from the grandstands whenever he competes in Formula Drift.
It constituted a significant decision, but I will delve into that matter shortly. Armed solely with his fervor for the sport and a group of close friends lacking any specialized mechanical expertise, Simen embarked on his journey, which he recalls as one of the most remarkable periods of his life. After numerous years, he upgraded and ultimately acquired his dream car: the MK4 Supra. As his ability to execute high-speed sideways maneuvers improved, so did his understanding of the sport, leading him to attract more like-minded individuals. It was under these circumstances that the notion of a drift-spec MK5 Supra materialized.
“We searched for nearly four months, aiming to construct an FD Prospec legal vehicle. However, we went too far by incorporating a sequential gearbox, rear-mounted radiators, a custom steering column, and numerous other upgrades that were prohibited in the second division. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, I was presented with the opportunity to compete in the Pro Series if I felt prepared for the challenge. It constituted a momentous decision: twice the number of events, increased travel time, and a greater budget. I deliberated with my team and came to the realization that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one that we needed to seize.”
“We were merely friends striving to give our best in the premier series of our sport. We lacked genuine racing experience, possessed no knowledge of car setup, and were not professional mechanics.” Despite all the hurdles, Simen commenced his Formula Drift career in spectacular fashion, earning the title of Rookie of the Year in 2021. He accumulated more points that year than Adam LZ, as well as veteran drivers Dai Yoshihara and Ken Gushi. And this was just the beginning. “I vividly recall my initial FD race. I was elated as I strolled through the paddock.”
Photo: Formula Drift/Larry Chen
“I realized I was living my dream of competing in this series. It was an amazing but incredibly stressful experience at the same time, as we were unfamiliar with anyone except Aasbo and Castro or the surroundings of the venue. I received a warm welcome from everyone, and people were extremely kind to me. FD feels like a large, joyful family. There I was, prepared to race against professional drivers whom I had admired for more than a decade. I had my initial tandem battle against one of my favorite drivers, Fredric Aasbo. I went out there and gave it my all.”
“Odi is beginning to convert me into a V8 enthusiast. I was acquainted with his driving style as we had been on the ice together many times before. He emerged victorious, and I was still content.” Numerous events unfolded in 2022, and Simen’s Supra encountered several mechanical problems throughout the season, resulting in a 24th place finish out of 37 drivers after eight rounds. However, things were about to change for the Norwegian Katana (a potential fitting nickname given his precise driving style). “I heard that Odi Backchis was planning to expand Feal Suspension’s Race Team, so I reached out to him.”
“It felt like an incredible opportunity: I could focus on my job without worrying about all the logistical aspects. I can rely on Odi, who is one of the best. I trusted him, the car he constructed, and the team that would support me during the events. I wasn’t thrilled about leaving the Supra behind. However, everything changed once I got behind the wheel of the S14. It was perfect to drive straight out of the box. In terms of the engine, it’s the finest car I’ve ever driven. We made some adjustments to suit my style, but overall, Odi is starting to convince me to embrace V8 engines.”
“I still utilize 2JZs for my personal cars back home in Norway. I understand why so many people opt for LS engines in FD: they’re affordable, dependable, offer ample horsepower and torque, and deliver power exceptionally well.” My conversation with Simen was so captivating that I may need to divide the interview into two or three parts. But before you leave, I’d like to provide you with further insights into his 2023 FD campaign. “I achieved my first Formula Drift podium in New Jersey. Finishing second after battling against Adam LZ was a tremendous accomplishment.”
Photo: Formula Drift/Larry Chen
“I had a great time that weekend. And my mother and sister were watching from the stands, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. But I have many more cherished memories from 2023. I engaged in a highly competitive battle against Aasbo, where I lost after two OMTs (One More Time); it was a very close match. He’s the competitor I strive to defeat every single time; I haven’t achieved that yet, but I can feel myself getting closer and closer to that objective with each race. I also had two incredible runs against Odi!” Simen concluded the season in fourth place: trailing Matt Field by eight points, Odi Backchis by 26 points, and Chelsea Denofa by 61 points.
We all started somewhere. However, some of you may be surprised to learn that in his third year of FD, Simen Olsen earned more points than individuals like James Deane, Ryan Tuerck, Chris Forsberg, and even the driver he admires the most: Fredric Aasbo. That speaks volumes about his potential for the future, don’t you think? “It’s surreal for me to have more points than these individuals. I don’t consider myself one of them; I’m still an underdog. It’s a new situation for me, but it’s incredibly cool. Being so close to winning the championship is not something I expected to happen so early.”
Photo: Formula Drift/Larry Chen
“You always hope to perform well; my objective was to finish in the Top 10. However, we ended up in the Top 4, which demonstrates that we are not merely here to make up the numbers; we can be highly competitive. In 2024, I aim to secure my first victory and perhaps even clinch the championship.” If Simen’s story has inspired you to pursue your dreams as much as it has inspired me, I wanted to share some wise words on his behalf. After all, learning from someone else’s experience can jumpstart your career just as drifting has ignited this man’s passion:
“If you want to start drifting, go for it, even if you don’t have a large budget. We all had to start somewhere. Aasbo didn’t begin his career in a fully-prepped FD car; none of the drivers on the grid did. Time behind the wheel is crucial, and you should prioritize reliability over adding more horsepower. Power causes things to break; it will make you pay for things you’d rather not pay for.”
“Please keep it simple, reliable, and enjoyable. Practice meets talent every day.” With those words, I eagerly anticipate seeing if Simen can accomplish his goals for 2024. It would be fascinating to witness a second Norwegian Champion in Formula Drift. However, I will delve further into his life story in a future installment, as there is still so much more to share about this young driver that will surely turn you into a fan.
According to the Source autoevolution.com