Inside the Chicago Pre-Meet That Brings the Drift Community Together
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After making it through the heavily competitive Final Bout Special Stages throughout the year, when Labor Day rolls around, it’s time for the top 3 teams from each stage to start their journey to Final Bout. The phrase “reach to the summit” shouldn’t be taken lightly when it comes to Final Bout. As a spectator, you see the event dates, and by the time you get there, all the teams are in place, and everyone is settled, ready to have a memorable weekend.
The reach starts from the moment you commit to Final Bout, but once you’re accepted to the summit, it’s not just the weekend. It’s a week-long, or longer, commitment for many drivers all starting with the drive to Chicago, Illinois, for the traditional pre-meet in the Chicago suburbs. In the past, the spot has always been kept under wraps to keep it to drivers, staff, special guests, sponsors, and a few local friends of Final Bout. With the increase in social media and sharing of locations, the spot kept getting blown. Don’t be that person.
For the first time in Final Bout’s 12-year history, rather than trying to keep it from the public, the pre-meet location was shared publicly a few hours prior to the meet. As the residential streets began to fill with familiar car enthusiast vehicles, I knew I was getting close. Arriving later than intended, I had to park outside of the main lot.
Walking to the main lot of the meet, it was difficult not to smile. Taking in the irreplaceable atmosphere of old friends greeting one another, new friendships being formed, watching art being created, listening to DJ Arty setting the tone for a great night ahead. All with a blindingly gorgeous sunset to boot.
The pre-meet was again hosted with the help of Legit Manila, a group in Chicago founded in the Philippines who regularly organizes local car meets through the proper channels, contacting business owners and the local law enforcement to work together. Due to their work with the community, this meet was unlike others, with locals from the neighborhood taking up the invite to join the car meet and see these one-of-a-kind cars from across the country themselves.
When the sun goes down, it’s time for the teams to make their way through the crowd and start heading to the next spot for the night. Opening up the pre-meet to the public was in part to deter locals from following to the next spot, as this portion is meant primarily for drivers to celebrate together. A cruise on the streets of Chicago, with Chicago street legends and two-time defending Final Bout champions themselves, Proceed. This cruise always has memorable stories, good and bad. Many cars heading into competition over the weekend end up needing some repairs the following day. Many find themselves at the Midwest’s go-to drift shop, TF-Works for last-minute parts and alignments.
The second location, as always, was intended solely for drivers, staff, media, vendors and friends of Final Bout. Witnessing the cars roll in with underglow on was like all of our beloved car video games in real life right in front of me. I watched from a distance as these cars, that childhood dreams are made of, began to fill the parking structure. Even for the locals in the area, it was hard to not notice all of these bright cars rolling in and many came out to take photos themselves with large smiles on their faces. Reminding myself that this is what it’s about: inspiring and bringing joy to others.
The evening was lively, with a few repairs happening in the parking garage by the team that finally brought the cup home, Front Street Drift Club. For that full story, you can listen to their episode on the Faction After Hours podcast. From old friends greeting one another, new friends being made, to shots allegedly being had, faces being put with social media handles and arcade games being played, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, just as it is every other year.
As events like this and drifting as a sport continue to grow, events like this pre-meet can only happen as long as the community respects the boundaries of these private events. Just because you or a friend may know the details and you want to go doesn’t mean that it’s okay. Respect this community, and they will respect you back. Thank you, Final Bout, for including media in the pre-meets so that we can capture these memories for all of these people from around the world, so they can simply enjoy themselves. It’s truly a privilege that’s not to be taken for granted.
