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Full Name: Matt Gehr
Nick name: Matt Panic
Age: 25
Residence: Seattle, WA
Web Site URL: http://www.panicmodedrift.com
# of Years in motor sports: 3
Automobile: 1989 Nissan 240sx coupe – KA24E

Modifications
Engine
Custom intake
Pacesetter Header
Custom Cat-Back exhaust
Magnecor 8.5mm plug wires
Denso Iridium spark plugs
Custom voltage stabilizer
Electric fan
Custom catch tank
Drive Train
XTD Stage 1 clutch
OBX short shifter
ATS DeftForce 2 way LSD
Interior/Safety
Sparco Sprint racing seat with custom bracket and sliders
Sabelt 3 point harness
SPW Type 4 steering wheel with BOSS hub
Signal Auto shift knob
Suspension/Chassis
Tein HE coilover system
Tein tie rods, tie rod ends, and spacers
Project Silvia rear upper control arms
Tanabe Sustec Pro tension rods
OBX front strut tower bar
Pilot Motorsports rear strut tower bar
Energy Suspension bushing set
Brake
KVR carbon/kevlar brake pads
Tire
Front – 205/50/15 Hankook RSII
Rear – 205/50/15 Hankook HRII

Any sponsors?
I don’t have any official sponsors. But, I would like to thank Kicky Fast, XATracing, and DriftOffice for their help and support.

When and how did you get into drifting and/or other motor sports?
I became interested in drifting about 4 years ago. At that time I owned a 1989 240sx hatchback. I was just getting into cars and motor sports. Then some Japanese friends of mine introduced me to drifting. I decided to go visit Japan and while I was there I actually got to witness drifting in person for the first time. About a year later I decided to try drifting for myself.

What was the first car you used for drifting?
All of my drifting experience has been in my 240sx coupe. This is my current car and daily driver.

How did it work out for you?
At first it was slow and difficult. I didn’t know any drifters in my area and my car was still stock. At the time I thought that I needed heavy modification to start drifting. Looking back, I’m glad that my car has been built up slowly. I met some local drifters and started participating in events. After that things came to me a lot faster.

What was your most practiced technique?
I used to use clutch kick all the time. It was very effective at slower speeds and helped me get used to getting sideways. I still use clutch kick when I need it but not nearly as much as before.

What is it now?
I use feint or throttle off most of the time now. Sometimes I use feint combined with a clutch kick if I need to a lot of angle on entry. I have also been practicing using the foot brake to adjust my line in decreasing radius (fish hook) corners.

Where are you looking to improve?
I would like to increase my speed. This year I want to hit an entry speed of 100mph.

What types of events have you participated in?
Drift and AutoX
Drift:
TS Skillzday (WA)
Drift Fest (WA)
Drift Day hosted by DriftOffice (WA)
Kicky Fast (OR)
Drift Association - DDay Oregon
Drift Showoff (Canada)
VDS (Canada)
DGtrials @ Ocala GP (FL)
Private events
AutoX:
Torque Steerers – Oversteer/Understeer

What type of events have you competed in?
Drift Showoff (finished best 8)
Friendly competitions at most local events

What do you find challenging?
Myself.

Who are your influences?
My twin brother Mark, My team, and all the local drifters who stay one step ahead of me. You are the ones who keep pushing me higher.

What modifications would you like to have in the future?
More power
Roll cage
Paint and Aero

What are your future plans in drifting?
I would like to take it as far as possible. Compete in a professional series. Travel to other countries. I’m having too much fun and I can’t see myself ever quitting.

What are your thoughts on the future of drifting?
At this point I think that drifting is an established motor sport. However, to the general public drifting is still fairly new. Whether or not they accept it, we will have to wait and see. Either way, I think it will always be a drivers sport.

Anything else you would like us to know about you?
I plan to travel to NorCal for drifting in the near future. A big thanks to my wife for being so supportive.

-Thanks
-Matt

Hell yea PM.

Thank you for featuring me! If anyone wants to chat, my AIM is Drift Future.


-Matt-Panic!

Matt is an amazing driver and a good friend glad to see him get some recognition!!

I like his taillights

Easily one of the best in the Northwest.

check out the "good luck co-pilot"






Big ups to Matt and to all of Panic-mode!

Props to Matt! one crazy driver, one crazy future.

Big ups to one of the best in the NW and the most humble driver I know!