08/25/2026
Meet Austin! He is the SUNY Erie Hunter Engineering Company Sales Rep.
Q1: The Origin Story
I traded my old Miata over the winter for a 2003 Nissan 350Z after hitting up Big Indian Drift Pit in summer ‘25 and realizing I wanted to participate, not just watch. People might also know me from my work ride: my 23’ Ford E450 Hunter Engineering demo box truck, fully loaded with a Maverick Tire Changer and Road Force Balancer to visit local shops!
Q2: Specs & Favorite Mod
The Z has a fully upgraded suspension (angle kit, coilovers, sway bars, toe arms), welded diff, new cooling hoses, and a lightweight pulley. My absolute favorite mod is the Momo Racing Bucket Seat—it keeps me locked in so I can actually focus on driving instead of sliding around the factory leather. Plus, I added neon underglow for total Need for Speed Underground 2 nostalgia.
Q3: Personality & Quirks
Right now, I’m working through some front-end suspension clunks and harshness. Since I’m towing the line between a street car and a drift track machine, normal drivability gets compromised. Tuning it to be decent around town while performing well on the track is always a balancing act!
Q4: Local Spot & Vibe
I’ve been spending a lot of time testing and practicing at Big Indian Drift Pit this summer. It’s an awesome, safe resource to slide around without risking run-ins with the law, accompanied by some high-energy tunes.
Q5: Origin & Advice for Young Builders
My passion started young with Lego, Hot Wheels, and R/C cars. My advice? Start simple and inexpensive—you can’t go wrong with a Japanese car or a Miata. Building gets pricey fast, and in racing, owners often wrench more than they drive (which is why I rent my race cars instead of buying!). With drifting, since no one rents them out, I built this Z to hit both the street and the track.
