Awesome story!!! I love the interviews from the drivers. Very interesting article.
Clubloose Opening Moves 2026: Season Kickoff at Englishtown Raceway Park Sets the Tone for Grassroots Drifting
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Clubloose kicked off their season with Opening Moves at Englishtown Raceway Park on April 4th, and the energy felt exactly like a long‑awaited reunion. Throughout the day, I caught up with staff and drivers to talk about the event and the year ahead. As the first of several annual Clubloose events at the historic Englishtown road course, Opening Moves gave drivers a chance to shake off the off‑season dust and get back into rhythm. With the track hot from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, there was no shortage of seat time, and the vibe across the paddock was nothing short of exciting.
While chatting with Will Moore,one of the weekend’s flaggers and a true OG within the Clubloose community,we dug into the roots of the organization and how it has evolved into the tight‑knit, grassroots drifting powerhouse it is today.
Eric Goodrich: So Will, tell me about yourself and your history with Clubloose
Will Moore: In the beginning, Clubloose held events in whatever parking lot or paddock that Raceway Park had open on Wednesday nights. I can proudly say I got to attend the first drift event held here. A few months later I built a SR swapped 240SX, and I was hooked. More and more drivers would attend the events to the point we had to move to hosting events on the weekends. Around 2008 Mike Napp blessed us with the use of the road course, which is perfect for drifting! Over the years as I kept driving and volunteering at Clubloose events, I got to see some of the “bros” turn into “pros”!
EG: With being a part of Clubloose for so many years, do you have a favorite memory?
WM: Despite having so many memories on track, I think some of my favorite memories would be the late night shenanigans that would happen after the driving stops. One moment in particular I remember, one night some of my friends decided to go up in the man lift. In the process those of us on the ground “lost” the keys to the lift, leaving them stranded high up over the track. Oh and how could I forget decorating Sneaky Petes (the on-track bar) both literally and metaphorically.
EG: Overall, how did the event today go?
WM: I think today went well, even the weather cooperated and blessed us with some sunshine. The driving was great and it seemed like everyone got plenty of seat time. I was just glad to be at the track hanging out with some of my best friends.
Overall, everyone was glad to be back at the “greatest place on earth” for another season of drifting. Another local driver, Josh Deliz from Team Front Street, showed up in Geoff Stoneback’s JZX100 while his own car was posted up at the New York Autoshow. Josh's car was on display along with the other Front Street cars for the forthcoming “Drifter.” I had a chance to chat with Josh, talk about his background at Clubloose and find out what he thought of his drift loaner.
EG: I know you have been around for awhile, when did you start drifting at Clubloose?
Josh Deliz: My first event at Clubloose was one of the many Wednesday parking lot events they hosted, 2011 to be exact! I remember having close to zero drifting knowledge, which got me quickly introduced to Will Ortega, who is Clubloose staff and typically deals with beginner drivers. That event I realized how unprepared I was when Will actually blew up my engine and caught my car on fire. I took a step back once I realized I had to be a lot more committed to drifting if I wanted to get good at it.
EG: Compared to your S-Chassis what do you think of the four door JZX100 that Geoff loaned you?
JD: Well, over the past 15 years I have only driven S-Chassis. One of the first things I noticed was the transition timing being totally different compared to my own car. During tandems I found that the car could use some more power to help keep up.
EG: What event are you driving next?
JD: Next for me is the LZ World Tour, which is two short weeks from now. Thankfully, I only needed to change brake pads, my car was feeling pretty solid at Drift Appalachia.
Clubloose splits the drivers up into three different classes; A, B and C. For this event A and B class drivers were on track together allowing some of the newer drivers to work on tandem driving. Clubloose scheduled three one hour sessions (per class) allowing for tons of seat time. The track for C class drivers is split in half allowing for two different layouts to learn on. The road course was opened during the other group of drivers allowing both halves linked together. While cruising the pits I ran into my friend Rob Kushmick, who was once media but has really progressed as a driver over the years.
EG: Tell me a little about yourself, what is your background with drifting and Clubloose.
Rob Kushmick: In 2016, I attended my first Clubloose event as media. In 2021, I got the itch and started driving myself. Since then I’ve driven every Clubloose event that my pockets allowed.
EG: Tell me a little about your car.
RK: I drive a red RB20 powered, 1989 240sx coupe with a Garrett T04E turbo and a Z32 gearbox. A healthy mix of Vertex, DMAX and Origin Lab aero round out the aesthetics. Some BC coilovers and GK Tech suspension arms paired with a set of Work wheels complete the look. Most importantly, a full cage and fire suppression system keeps me safe.
EG: Did you make any changes to your car during the offseason to help you progress your driving?
RK: During the off season I updated the car’s cooling system, with the help of Koyorad RB swap specific triple pass radiator and 13” spal race fans. In order to fit those beefier fans, I trimmed the upper radiator support to lean the radiator forward to make more room in the bay. Additionally, I changed last year's spark plugs out, performed an oil change and bolt check.
EG: Now that Opening Moves is now over, how would you say the event went overall?
RK: Overall the event was better than I had expected. We could not have asked for better weather or for a better event to kick off the year.
Raceway Park also has its own “series” for drivers of all skill levels to compete and earn some extra cash. With the first round being held the following weekend, many drivers were out practicing. The “Gambler” series consists of five rounds, with all drivers restricted to a 235 tire, allowing for an even playing field. Brian Gaughan, who competed in the series last year, was preparing for round one and performing a shake down on some changes made during the offseason.
EG: I know you did a lot of driving last season, did you do any changes to the car during the off season?
Brian Gaughan: Thursday night before this event we pulled the cylinder head off the car for a refresh. We also switched the angle kit and I am now running the FDF mega kit. So far I am impressed with how well the car drives compared to my cut knuckles and extended stock arms. Once I get the suspension dialed in I should be ready to really turn some laps.
EG: You have been coming to Clubloose for a long time, tell me about your history at E-Town.
BG: Yes, my first time out to Clubloose was in 2009. Back then, I did a few track days but most of my time at the track was spent helping out Jeff Jones and Rich Whiteman with their Formula Drift programs. Over the past two years I have really started driving and taking it seriously though.
At Clubloose, if staff recognizes that you are driving well, typically you get the bump up to the next skill level. Many of the drivers were able to improve on their driving including Cody Nichols who was able to secure his “A” group sticker due to his outstanding driving on track. Ecstatic, I talked to him about that moment.
EG: How did “Opening Moves” go for you?
Cody Nichols: The first of three sessions I spent doing solo laps getting warmed up. During the second session, Trevor, who was working on the grid, had me move over to the tandem line. I got paired up with Nick D'Alessio, who let me chase him. For being my first tandem lap on the road course, it was great. I continued that session and the following session further progressing my tandem driving. Towards the end of the day I was approached by some of the Clubloose staff (I thought I was in trouble). But instead, I was handed my A class sticker and was congratulated on my driving. I was so hyped. This event will be one I will remember for the rest of my life.
EG: Do you have any recommendations for any drivers looking to progress as quickly as yourself?
CN: I highly recommend driving one of the many clinic events that Clubloose hosts. The amount of knowledge you obtain during the event really helped me progress as a driver.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, drivers began loading up their cars and trailers after a full day of drifting. With several more Clubloose events lined up at Raceway Park throughout April, the mood wasn’t so much “goodbye” as it was “see ya next time” as people rolled out of the paddock. After hundreds of tires were turned into smoke, the season opener wrapped up, setting the tone for what’s shaping up to be another incredible year with Clubloose.
Check out the rest of Wrecked's photo coverage from Clubloose Opening Moves at the Gallery
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