Next to drag racing, drifting is often similarly enjoyed among a wider audience of petrolheads. While straight-line action isn't bereft of action, seeing performance cars destroy their rear tyres and create plumes of smoke while negotiating a drift is nothing short of spectacular.
The latter is what enthusiasts got to experience at the fifth round of the Shiftbox Driftmasters show that took place at The Rock Raceway in Brakpan, Gauteng, on 6 August. For those unfamiliar with the event, Driftmasters is a drift racing championship in which racers battle it out in tandem drift battles. The car show has been added as an extension to the championship in an effort to get the car community of South Africa more involved and grow drifting as a sport.
In terms of participation, there are various categories for car owners to enter. All car show competitors get the opportunity to show off their car by participating in parade laps in front of the crowd before the final 16 battle in the drifting championship.
The latter is what enthusiasts got to experience at the fifth round of the Shiftbox Driftmasters show that took place at The Rock Raceway in Brakpan, Gauteng, on 6 August. For those unfamiliar with the event, Driftmasters is a drift racing championship in which racers battle it out in tandem drift battles. The car show has been added as an extension to the championship in an effort to get the car community of South Africa more involved and grow drifting as a sport.
In terms of participation, there are various categories for car owners to enter. All car show competitors get the opportunity to show off their car by participating in parade laps in front of the crowd before the final 16 battle in the drifting championship.
Overall, the event was well planned, and also the level of preparations by the competitors where participants set up their cars and took part in the warm-up. It was also a nice time for families to enjoy the day and revel in the bustling environment under the gazebo while sizzling some food on the braai. There were also several car clubs present, and attendees could interact and also apply the knowledge shared on their own vehicles.
Unique cars like the rotary-powered Mazda RX-8 and stanced Toyota 86's were on show, but the drifting was undoubtedly the main attraction around The Rock.
Nationally, South Africa has a solid contingent of drifters, with the likes of Jim McFarlane, Shane Green, Juan Stemmet, and Tommie Beirowski all competing for the local bragging rights. Events like Driftmasters provide other aspiring and veteran drifters with a platform to showcase their skills to the masses, and, who knows, SA might unearth its own Keiichi Tsuchiya.
Now that you’ve got the knowledge, it’s time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android) and don’t forget to use your location settings to find local automotive vehicle information close to home.
