The Fate of Ryuji Miki Is Not Looking Great [RUMORMILL]
Posted by Joey Redmond on 11 Oct 2009 at 11:19 am | Tagged as: D1GP, Formula D, International, Japanese, Rumors/Gossip
Now before you read any of this note I have not heard any gossip/rumors or have any facts to base this post off of. This is PURE SPECULATION on my behalf but I think my logic has some validity to it. If you read our last post Ryuji Miki made his return in a Silvia to the D1GP Japan series. He has been notably absent from this Japanese series since coming to the United States and competing in Formula Drift.
Even though Ryuji Miki has done better this year in the series I think most people feel he is under performing for a former D1GP champion. Especially considering the United States has a plethora of talent which would cost the team owners of that Mazda Rx-8 much less to race for a season. Something tells me Irwindale will be the last Formula Drift will see of Ryuji Miki for quite a long time. I hope I am wrong but unless he lands a podium I just don’t see him coming back. I know he has done some driving in Japan perviously outside of D1 but just call this a hunch. What are your thoughts?
I dont think so. I have a feeling Miki just replaced a driver from RYO who wasnt performing and this may only be temporary. But even if he does compete in D1GP next year, I still think he will have a ride here at Formula D. Well atleast he will be offered a ride. Will he drive in F-D? that is up to him. Im pretty sure Apex is happy with his results. If Apex had no podiums this year, it might have looked different but they had 2.
Realistically, I dont think Miki and his RYO s14 is ready to take on D1GP. Miki has a better chance winning here in FD because he has dialed in the Apex RX-7.
We’ll see what happens…
Ryuji Miki is a very talented driver. Believe me he still has the talent of a champion. I witnessed that first hand working with him the first two years with A’PEXi and especially watching him this year at Las Vegas09 and Sonoma09. I have been so proud of him podiuming twice this year. It took him some time to warm up to the RX7 but he got it done and has kicked ass the past two out of the last three FD races. He knocked out Rhys Millen in the first round last year in Irwindale and I expect him to drive phenomenal again. (But if he’s against my boy Justin you better believe Justin’s gonna rock revenge on Ryuji from Las Vegas.hehehehehehe) As far as him losing his ride, I don’t think thats going to happen.
-Ron Bergenholtz
Ryuji Miki is very talented driver and he will return in 2010 season. Yes, the 2 podium helps in any decision for 2010 and he showed his skills this year. Results are important but team atmosphere is as important for Hankook Tire. We are more than happy with all the team and we appreciate all the teamwork during the hard times and we wouldn’t change that. Unless we see something really bad or no teamwork, we rather keep it as is and possibly add more to the family.
Paul,
Thanks for the update. Glad to know you read the site and even more excited Ryuji Miki will be staying around.
Ryuji Miki is a great and talented driver who through time dialed in the APEXi RX-7. Now that it’s been overhauled with R Magic parts. It will be only better. Next to Takatori, and Yamanaka. Ryuji is one of my favorite drivers in Formula Drift. I always cheer him on. As for the D1GP R Magic should hire him for their RX-7 back in Japan. I’d be honored to meet him any day and I look forward to seeing him in 2010 onward.
Also this is for Paul Jho. Thank you reading and clarifying this whole rumor thing. I’d like to suggest that Hankook should get Takatori back with his Skyline ER34 from 2008. Takatori and that beautiful Skyline are contenders that could be in a better place right now.
Yo wrecked
You said the same thing last year when Bergenholtz signed on with JTP…
The industry might not be as cut throat as you think.
WOW! People leaving their actual names, how refreshing. Just thought I’d join the anti-anonymity party. See all of you guys in a couple of days. I read your site too Joey =)
- Jim Liaw
i think Miki is the only J driver i care about. A bunch have tried to infiltrate US drifting and have not stuck around long enough for anyone to give a shit about. Miki is a super dynamic driver with experience and plenty of tricks up his sleeve. His podium finishes this season only helps his cause.
As a true “fan” of his since his blue s14 days i seriously hope his sponsors think this through. Miki rips!
Just want to say I’ve been a friend/fan of Miki for almost 10 years. It sucks that he was ever forced out of D1 in the first place…Drifting is his thing and I doubt he’ll ever cut back unless he’s forced to (and from Paul’s post, sounds like that’s not happening) He has been doing MSC in Japan and while I was suprised to see him at D1 in the RYO car, I’m happy to see him back. As Petty noted, he’s been around a long time and he’s a die hard Silvia guy so I hope he kicks ass now that he’s back in D1 and continues to improve in FD.