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Michelle Yeo Yu
Holding her own
Drift Queen Michelle Yeo Yu isn't scared of taking on the big boys in the latest auto craze to hit the world. Better get ready or she leaves you in a cloud of smoke
Words by Paulo Rafael T. Subido; Photography by Chino Acosta; Hair and makeup by Ria Gamboa for NARS; Shot on location at Motorsports Alley
"I'm a guy in a girl's body," laughs Cebu-based Michelle Yeo Yu while being dolled up by our stylist. "I don't know how to wear a dress, do makeup or fix my hair. Zero. No kidding!" Doing a photo shoot is obviously a new experience for her; she can't stop blushing.
She takes comfort in knowing that her blue Nissan Cefiro is close by—her drift machine that was specially prepared by David Feliciano of DMF Motorports. When she stands beside that monster of a car, her confidence shines through. By the looks of things, the male drifters will have some serious competition at this year's Lateral D championship.
What started as a fascination with car audio in 2000 has become a full-on passion. After stints in drag and circuit racing, Michelle has found her home in drifting.
"This is my seventh car that was built for me," says Michelle. "I got into drifting because I love it. I took my first drift lesson at the prodding of a friend from Hotwire TV. I have my own business now and I'm old enough, so I told my mom that this is what I want to pursue. I don't shop and I don't buy clothes. I just like buying parts for my car!"
Only 24 years old and already rising quickly as the only competitive female driver in the sport, she has a very sage advice for the younger kids who want to get into one of the most exciting (and entertaining) automobile disciplines to hit the planet.
"It is hard if you are still dependent on your parents," she says. "I spent close to P500,000 on my car, but luckily I have sponsors that helped out with a big chunk of that." She has the support of Rota, DMF, Prodrive, Motul and Mother's—proof that she has what it takes to make it in the drift arena. "I'm very lucky," she adds. But as we all know, luck isn't everything. Practice and perseverance make a winner, and she knows this, too.
The drift scene in the Philippines, she says, can still use more support. Michelle is also an advocate of safety and keeping racing off the streets. "If there was a proper venue," she shares, "kids, instead of doing it on the streets, would invest time and money to do it where it is safe. In Japan, they encourage drifting clinics and lessons, like at the Ebisu circuit."
She also has a message for the detractors of the sport and loyalists of the time-attack format: "Hey, if it is a waste of tires and money, why did drifting become so popular in Japan and the rest of the world? Iba ‘yung entertainment na makukuha mo, tapos ‘yung skill level needed to keep the car sideways is already an achievement. I think it is more of an entertainment than a sport. ‘Di matatanggal ‘yung judging aspect."
Michelle wants to show everybody that the girls can do what the guys do. "It is my passion. It is a different high. I keep coming back for the high I get when I'm going sideways. Five years from now, I want to still be doing this," she concludes with conviction.
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Top Gear Philippines - April 2008
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