I shot the Sheriff – An interview with Federico Sceriffo
Assisting to Varano de ‘Melegari training day of April 9 gave me the chance to interview one of the most iconic Italian drifters, the only Italian to race on a permanent basis in the Japanese championships, and is a loyal Gazzetta del Traverso’s reader.
Federico Sceriffo divides his sporting life between Japanese and Chinese championships. His answers show that in sporting terms his home is Japan.
Gazzetta del Traverso: We are in Varano de ‘Melegari with the famous Federico Sceriffo who honored us with some minutes of his time to answer some questions. Federico can you tell us what are your plans for 2016?
Federico Sceriffo: This year is a special year for me because many important things are getting into place. So we will live 2016 in a different way because we are developing two cars: one for Japan and one for the American championship. So it is a very unusual year. I just returned from China, where we won the first championship race and I’m very happy with this result. I’m also happy to be here today on this beautiful day.
GdT: I guess that when you speek about an American championship you are referring to Formula Drift for 2017.
FS: That’s right, for 2017 we plan to make a stop in America to close the worldwide circle between China, Japan, Europe and America. I have contacts with some local company that is interested in giving us a hand. It’s time to go.
GdT: Can you tell us more about these two cars you are developing?
FS: No – Smiles NdR- Top Secret.
At this point I decided to ask a question halfway between the provocative and playful. His answer makes us understand what is the attitude of Federico toward competition.
GdT: So you think the Daigo Saito’s temporary withdrawal form 2016 Formula Drift is due to the need to be prepared to challenge you and your car?
FS: Daigo is certainly very very competitive as we all know. Driving equally performing cars I have no fear of him. I got to beat him in Hong Kong where we raced with similar perfoming cars. Daigo is definitely an inspiring character a for many Drifters and also for me. Daigo is a diamond for the world of drifting, so without Daigo, how I use to say “No Daigo No Party”. He definitely needs to be prepared because we are going to be very competive.
GdT: Given your international experience – which is perhaps the largest among the Italian pilots – can you tell us what differences there are in the way of living the Drift between Japan, Europe and America?
FS: The major differences are the companies, not us. We always live with the same passion. I feell we aren’t dedicated enough to make drifting look more professional. This means that, if the sport is not professional, companies are not interested and the sport can not grow. This way we remain behind other countries where there are companies who can spend and invest money in what we do. So, in my opinion, we are in a situation where there’s enough people to make companies curious here in Italy.
GdT: Watching the commentary of the various D1GP , Formula Drift, etc. I noticed a difference between the set-ups used in Japan and the ones used in America and especially in Europe. TV images from show us that D1GP cars seem to have a softer suspension set-up and allowing a greater pitch of the car. What is your analysis?
FS: It’s a right impression. You see much movement because we have the set-ups granting more grip than Americans. The Americans have huge engines with great amounts of torque and they like to race always “pedal to the metal”, overheating their tyres, but they focus more on the cornering speed. We use to focus more on the entry speed and to initiation angle. Their focus a bit ‘less about this, but pay more attention to cornering speed. For us the cornering is juast a transit from a curve and the next one. It’s a little ‘different even though it’s all pretty similar.
GdT: When I interviewed Mike Procureur last December, has told us that it is working with the FIA for the drafting of an official Drift regulation . What do you think about the involvement of the FIA in the Drift world?
FS: The FIA involvement in our world is important because it may give a “seal” of formality to the category. We have been FIA for a long time, so Mike is not doing anything new but is committed to the growth the sport in its own way. I think in 2017 or at most for 2018 certainly it will be all under FIA control. D1GP is already FIA and Formula D is followed by FIA stewards.
GdT: What can you tell us about the wonderful Toyota GT 86 you are drifting today?
FS: It is the GG 1 is a project which has reached the end of Step 1. We added a turbo with a Greddy kit, we opened the engine reducing the compression in order to be able to use more of turbo pressure. We mounted a Rocket Bunny kit and Öhlins shock absorbers. It’s a very nice car to drive though a bit nervous. We are very happy. Now we are preparing Step 2 when we will install a 6-cylinder 2JZ Toyota and we’ll be able to further improve performance.
GdT: Apart from drifting which you have practiced for many years. What other categories do you follow or would like to try, Formula 1, Rally, Tourism …?
FS: I frankly in the soul I am a rally a missed driver, because when I started I did not have a track record that could make companies interested in helping me out. Today I just want to complete my career in Drift, but if I had the opportunity I would immediately race in RallyCross .
To learn more about Federico Sceriffo activities you can follow him on his website losceriffo.com or on his facebook page
Drift Long & Faster
