Tokyo drifter
10th May 2008 12:00 AM  Jason Tobin starred in the movie, Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift and is on the Coast to help his dad Tony Tobin promote an internet search engine BigRoo.com. Photo: Che Chapman/N20473
The drifting which actor Jason Tobin is better known for is his role in the 2006 hit action movie Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.
But Jason also likes to drift along the serene sands of Noosa when he’s in town – like now.
The star is on part-holiday, part-helping out on the Coast, mixing enjoying a few good reads while working with his dad Tony in promoting a unique concept.
Tony runs the www.bigroo.com Australian search engine – and he has come up with a truly win-win idea.
“We wanted to do something innovative, to put something back to the community,” he said.
So he got a hold of some quality cars and is prepared to lend them out to people in genuine need for three-to-six months – free.
“Our aim is to help those who are in genuine need, someone who’s trying to get back up on his or her feet, but finding it tough,” Tony said.
“It’s intended to be a hand up, not a hand out”.
In return, the user drives around, advertising the search engine, whose livery adorns the car’s body.
“The cars are Suzuki Swifts which are small and zippy,” he said.
“But we’re not attached to that brand.
“It’s a win-win."
Jason was only too happy to be part of the promotion – he loves the locale.
“I’ve been here two weeks with one more to go,” Jason said yesterday. I’ve been to Australia about 20 times and I know the Coast well – it’s a really nice place.”
As for driving, being born in right-hand drive Hong Kong and Britain, he has driven local cars before, even if he has spent the last 10 years in Los Angeles.
“Funnily enough, I don’t drive that often,” Jason said.
“A couple of times I’ve had to remind myself which side to drive on.”
Jason’s fans will no doubt like to know he has two more movies in the pipeline – but they are a little different, with shooting starting on an art house movie called Jasmine in August.
And there’s no partying on this Coast break.
“No, I like to relax here and read books,” he said. “It’s a change of pace – and the beach is really nice.”
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