The couple has graduated to one of the hardest aspects of the sport, tandem drifting, in which a set of two cars follow each other throughout the track using the same lines and speed. Tandem drifting is often employed in professional competitions, where the lead driver feints maneuvers to upset the chase driver and to see how close the chase driver can get to the lead driver, where sometimes an overtaking occurs. It can also be an aesthetic exhibition of skill and technique, where numerous cars parade around the track not once colliding with the other. Benson and Nadine have an advantage in case a collision happens during a tandem drift. "I know at the end of the day, if we crash, it's going to be okay because what's mine is his and what's his is mine," Nadine laughs, "So no blame will be passed."
"But the bad thing is that if we crash," Benson adds, "That's double the cars we have to fix!" Either way, they have enough love for each other that if one messes up no penalties are incurred, like sleeping on the couch or no bumpin' uglies for the night.
One of Benson's favorite photos in their living room is of them tandem drifting. "It's like taking the `couple's picture' to the next level!" he says. It's also something that's rare in the industry because there aren't many husband and wife tandem drifters out there. This connection is why Benson and Nadine are as unique as a married couple can get, a link that creates an enduring relationship and even a stronger will to win on the track.
Fast Facts: Her
Car `89 Nissan 240SX
Owner Nadine
Hometown San Gabriel, CA
Daily Grind Accountant /Director of Drifting Pretty
Power 300 hp
Under the Hood 5zigen downpipe; A'PEXi AX53 turbo and Ex Ti exhaust system; ARC FMIC; custom IC piping by Fujita; Koyo aluminum radiator; Denso fuel pump;Fujita intake system; GReddy oil cap, pulley kit; Nismo 740cc injectors; Megan exhaust elbow; Sun Automotive HyperVoltage System and Hyperground system; OEM Z32 fuel filter and MAF
Drivetrain ACT clutch (NS1-XTR6; XACT flywheel; Kaaz 2-way LSD; NISMO motor and tranny mounts, pivot ball, clutch line and slave cylinder
Brains A'PEXi Power FC and AVC-R; Blitz FATT turbo timer
Stiff Stuff Custom 8-point roll cage by Design Craft; GP Sports GR-6 coilovers; Swift spring upgrade; Peak Performance tension rods, rear toe rods, upperlinks, rear upper camber arms, tie rods and rod ends; 5-lug upgrade; Tanabe rear subframe spacers; Nagisa Auto Shakitto plate
Rollers Drift: Enkei RP03 silver 18x9 +18 (F), 18x10 +22 (R) Show: Enkei RPF1 Type RC 18x9 +18 (F), 18x10 +22 (R)
Stoppers Stop Tech big brake kit (F); GT-R calipers (R); Taka Motorsports stainless steel lines; Axxis pads
Outside Origin Stylish front bumper, rear bumper, side steps, rear over fender (30mm); S13.5 conversion front fenders (20mm); GP Sports rear spoiler, rear upper spoiler; custom cherry blossom stickers by Fujita; S15 radiator/core support; Ganador aero mirrors; Nissan S15 headlights, Hippo Sleek LED taillights
Inside Bride Zeta III Type S bucket, Ergo, custom Bride rear seats; Nardi twinline steering wheel; Sparco pedals; custom toy shift knob; A'PEXi EL system meter
Props Benson--thank you for being one of my inspirations in the build up of my pink drift monster. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to focus and re-build this car, let alone drift it! Thank you for introducing me to the wonderful world of drifting and thank you for showing me how to be an awesome ricey dori gal; to my daughter Kristy--I love you honey, and I hope I can help you build a cute drift car in a few years; big thank yous to Richard Tang and Fujita Air for your help in the finishing touches of my car; Andy at MyNismo.com/Performance Nissan--thanks for fitting the ol' S13 with such extravagant parts--your faith means so much;farewell to Enkei and thank you Tobin, who gave me a chance over at Enkei (best of luck to you as you trek on in thisindustry with Falken. Schikane fo lyfe!!); last but not least, thank you to the wonderful, faithful members of theDrifting Pretty program. You ladies fuel my drive to keep going and strive never to leave the drifting world in this lifetime.
WWW 5zigenusa.com; advancedclutch.com; apexi.com; blitz-performance.com; enkei.com; f5air.com;koyorad.com; more-japan.com (Bride/Nagisa Auto); mynismo.com; phase2motortrend.com; stoptech.com; sunautomobile.com