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Full Name: Joe Willis Beard
Nick name: most people call me that crazy E30 guy
Age: 20 ... one more year to go
Residence: Richmond Va
Web Site URL: www.lookoutdrift.com
# of Years in motor sports: That’s almost hard to answer because I started in "motorsport" when I was 12 yrs old . I raced lawnmowers (go ahead laugh now) but it’s a legit series and it was on speed vision a few times back in the day. When I got my license I became more interested in the car autosport realm, first autocrossing and now drifting.
Automobile: 1986 BMW 325t, 2 door coupe, 2.7L inline 6

Modifications
Suspension: Intrax suprer sport springs, with koni adjustables, suspension technque sways 25 mm front, 22mm rear, both on full stiff. Poly bushings on the entire rear of the car and poly control arm bushings in the front
Interior/Cosmetic: gutted to hell
Exterior/Cosmetic: no bumpers and custom front grill
Any sponsors? soon to be RedBull ... hopefully

When and how did you get into drifting and/or other motor sports?
I got into motor sports as just a kid . I was tired of cutting the grass with a slow lawn mower , so I modded it to go a lil faster

What was the first car you used for drifting?
A BMW 325

How did it work out for you?
Well my skill wasn’t as it is now and I used to blame a lot of the mistakes I did as a driver on the car and my setup .... but now that I’ve become better the same setup I used to have works wonderfully

What was your most practiced technique?
Feint , I wanted to know how the car reacts while sideways and how to predict what the car will do

What is it now?
Probably shift lock, I want to learn to use it a lot better, I feel it will help me piece together large sections of track

Where are you looking to improve?
The 3rd gear sweeper turns, I’ve only done one event with enough power now and it makes a large difference, that’s what I’m going to have to work on getting better at

What types of events have you participated in?
Each and every Lookout Drift/US Drift event held on the east coast, along with the Hyperfest events at Summit Point and Lowes Motor Speedway

What do you find challenging?
Tandum runs, because not only do you have to pay attention to where your car is and will be in a second, you have to watch the other drivers to make sure they don’t spin out lose speed, or anything really

Who are your influences?
My friends in the drift community, all the people from LKT: Dan, Mike, Collins, Jedd, Nate; the list it too long to put on here, but everyone is an influence to some degree.

What modifications would you like to have in the future?
A roll cage is a must, maybe some coilovers from H&R

What are your future plans in drifting?
I would love to do formula D. I think that It would be great fun to tour around the US, but I am happy with where I am at now drifting. I’ve only been doing it for 2 yrs and I believe that I’m progressing quickly

Your thoughts on the future of drifting?
Hopefully it will not die out like everyone says, I do wish for the hype about it to die down, I mean every kid with a 240 thinks he can drift .. but can’t at all, and it’s people like that who give us a bad name in the motorsport realm

Anything else you would like us to know about you?
I’m a Taurus, I love laying around in meadows, music and romantic dinners by moon light ... who am I kidding I think the smell of burnt rubber and race gas is the best smell in the world!