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Samuel Hubinette is the O.G. drift god, at least in the U.S. of A. No matter what the drifting purists might say or add asterisks too, Hubinette is in the drifting history books as the first North American
champion. For most people, the problem they have with the “Crazy Swede” is that it’s been too easy. After all, this guy didn’t even start drifting until a few weeks before the first D1 Driver’s Search at
Irwindale in 2003. A little over a year later, he was standing at the same track (with a factory ride) as the first Formula Drift Champion – out placing plenty of other talented drivers; some who have worked
and been dedicated to the sport for a much longer time.
The truth is always hidden a little under the surface though and if you look at what Hubinette is about, you’ll see an extremely gifted driver who actually started “drifting” as 16-year old on the icy
grounds of Sweden. Hubinette is a car control fanatic and practices relentlessly to be perfect – he has to, because beyond drifting, car control is his livelihood. Read on about the 2004 Formula D champ.
(*Ed note – Samuel and J-Rod completed this before the end of the Formula D season, but a dog here on Office Pet Day came in and chewed up the story, er hard drive. OK, so we screwed up - our apologies to
Sam and J-Rod. Rhys Millen ended up the 2005 champ after Samuel was bounced from the final by an uncharacteristic performance. Still, the “Crazy Swede” put on 6 smokin’s shows during 2005 and finished second
in points. Who knows what’s in store for 2006 from Hubinette and Mopar (Drift Crossfire? Drift Charger? Drift Magnum? Man, the choices - how about a hint Sam?), but you know you can count on more smoke and
more crazy 360s from the Crazy Swede.)
1) Seeing you in Chicago with the top off the car you looked like you were having a good time enjoying the weather but I knew you were all business you had you're girl in town Mopar people to impress and
you can smell the points race heating up. Were you anxious about this event seeing how you were in the points race?
SH - There are always nerves that go along with each event, but if you're not nervous, I don't think you're truly focused on competing. The Chicago event was a lot of fun; we got an opportunity to
bring drifting to a whole new group of fans. On the other hand, we also knew that we had some serious business to attend to. Our goal is to put on a great show for the fans, but we're also dedicated to
performing as well as possible in order to represent Team Mopar. Of course, we want to repeat as Formula D Champion so each point is critical. We're focused on each event as they come knowing that the most
consistent team is likely to win the overall title.
2) Now that you've placed at the top of the podium and you seem to be getting your car more dialed, are you pumped for Irwindale and what do you have in store for us in the Good ol' "House of Drift"
Irwindale, California???
SH - I really enjoy drifting at Irwindale - it is definitely the most exciting event of the season. It is also the track where I did my first Driver Search for D1 in 2003 and then shortly thereafter
did my first competition in a S13.
The crowd at Irwindale is by far the most fun to entertain and also the most savvy as far as Drifting is concerned. Therefore, it takes some crazy driving to earn their respect. The fans on the West Coast
know the sport of drifting well, and that means you've got to put forth 110 percent to give them a great show. We're going to Irwindale with the intention of doing just that - put on a great show!"
3) You are the 2004 Formula Drift Champion and we all know you as a drifter but please breakdown what else you have done in the past racing and car wise?
SH - I got my first racing license when I was 16 and started with rally cross in a Volvo 140. I was also riding motocross with a Suzuki 250 at the same time. Growing up north of the Artic Circle with
only 6000 people in a county as big as LA gave you a lot of opportunities for fun driving. I drifted my Opel Manta and practiced my 360 turns up there. I then became a winter test driver for Volvo and got to
slide around someone else's cars. After a few years I got the opportunity to work full time and also started to do endurance racing with a team at Volvo. The cool thing was that I did stunt driving for their
commercials too. I was able to get a lot of seat time and learned a lot. Since Drifting the Viper, I've also had the opportunity to compete in some Viper Racing League events as well as begun some commercial
driving for DaimlerChrysler.
4) Ok so you've raced a bunch if cars and been around cars for some time what do you do outside of cars?
SH - I like to play video games. I think they keep your skills and reaction times sharp. I also like to do physical activities. I enjoy mountain biking, tennis and other types of outdoor activities. I
think that the better physical shape you're in, the better your driving/drifting skills will be - especially with the level of competition that Formula D presents today.
5) Sweden, beautiful country I've never been there, but would like to visit some day; all you people are so good looking it kills me. I mean you could be a model -were you ever a fashion model? Speaking
of fashion what's your favorite clothing brands and music?
SH - Fashion model. haha, yeah right. My girl could be though! I listen to random music. I basically buy what I see looks cool. But I do like the brand WE, which is available here in LA.
6) So what do you have planned for the off season while your not drifting it's coming to a close here at the end of the month I saw you raced a Viper in some series; how'd you do and do you have plans to
race in any other series for Mopar?
SH - I am working as a stunt driver in TV commercials for DaimlerChrysler and will keep working on other projects in that area. I have competed in six Viper Racing League races this season and I am
hoping to do more of that.
7) I'll be honest you've caught some flack from the purist "core" drifters I know that all the other competitors respect you as a good driver and a sincere guy is there anything you would like to say to
the negative feedback you've been getting because I love the Crazy Swede your always a crowd favorite and everybody loves the 360 turns in your intro runs.
SH - Well, having factory support from Mopar generates a level of flack that I understand and it’s because Drifting is a "core" sport. It's been this underground sport that developed naturally without
the help of big companies. In the past couple years, drifting as we all know, has really started to blow up; not only from an events and participation standpoint, but also TV, Magazines - and now companies
wishing to get involved. This creates tons of new interest in the sport which creates more fans, yet it also begins to lose its uniqueness. So if you're backed by a large corporation, sometimes you're viewed
as part of the problem and not staying true to what Drifting is all about. On the flipside of that, the big companies help make it possible for Drifting to have a professional series like Formula D. They
also help advance the sport from a technology and skill standpoint because, well, resources create progression. I think that's a good thing. If we can bring a more exciting sport to the fans and viewers on
TV, everyone wins in my opinion. Also, big companies supporting Drifting means that there are opportunities to Drift for a living. I mean, can you imagine to be able to Drift for a living?!!! It's crazy. The
support from these Big Companies help make these dreams come true and begin creating the Future Formula D Champions.
I think the American Drifting technique is also different than perhaps how they might Drift elsewhere. Here, we're judged on speed, angle, line, and style. But there is a bit more of bumpin' and grindin'
going on American Style. We're more aggressive over here I agree, but I think that also might make for some more exciting racing for the fans. Really, the fans are the ultimate judge of that.
Lastly, we're coming off a real good season from 2004. So I'm sure there were some people who wanted to see us taken out. Haha.. and they got their wish through the better part of the 2005 season.
Fortunately for us and our fans, the team has really rallied together and put us in a position to compete for the Championship again.
I really enjoy getting feedback from people because it let's me know how my driving, or how I'm being received. I think that's important. Of course, there's always going to be haters..I mean, I can't expect
to win everyone over. But if I can make them respect my driving skill, then, that's enough for me. What I do on the track is a true representation of how much I love to drift and I hope that people realize
that.
8) When you were in Chicago you were really aggressive with your car so aggressive you smacked the barrier and smashed your carbon fiber fender in pieces, I know Meguiar's will buff out a lot of damage
but there was no hope for that fender. Can you tell everybody what happened and why you were counted as a "Gauntlet" casualty?
SH - That was crazy -- I must say! A rear knuckle broke when I initiated the first feint which ended up pushing me right into the plastic barrier. The whole driver side of the Viper was torn up. So it
seemed. Yet once again, the Mopar/DC Performance/Archer Racing Crew worked miracles to get me back on the track in 20 minutes.
9) It takes a lot of work to be out here drifting for a living and making things happen event to event are there any companies or people you would like to thank for your effort being so successful?
SH - First and foremost, I'd like to thank Mopar who's provided the opportunity to drift professionally. Their influence in the sport has created opportunities that weren't there a few years ago. I'd
also like to thank Slipstream Global for creating a top notch Drifting Series. Real appreciative to Yokohama for offering the best tire available for Drifting. Archer Racing, DC Performance, Dodge
Motorsports and SRT make-up the team that has made me a 2005 Formula D contender! Sparco, Kicker, Speedwell are also on my list, as without their support, our team wouldn't be as strong.
10) Last but not least who are you fearing or looking forward to battling the finals and how do you think the points series will end and who will be crowned 2005 Need for Speed Formula Drift Champion?
SH - I can't wait to drift for another Championship at Irwindale. I am second in points and feel that the momentum we have from Chicago helps. I hope we can get that Championship trophy again. It
won't be easy, that's for sure!! The skill level this year is just insane! If we're not able to win, we'll still give the fans a spectacular show and have tons of FUN!!!...but, make no mistake, we want that
trophy! DRIFT YA LATER.
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