The Greatest Drift of All

The relatively new motorsport known as drifting, whose championships have been reported on these web pages recently, is about to get its own track days thanks to Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire. Emerging from its origins as an underground recreation, drifting is now described by the track’s administrators as “a mainstream art-form,” boasting its own championships, computer games and dedicated Scalextric set. Thanks to Santa Pod, becoming a drifting virtuoso, or at least being able to hold your car in a controlled slide, has become a much more attainable goal.

Learning to drift can be quite tricky and expensive, particularly when a learner gets it wrong. Santa Pod states, “Drift competitions require a pretty high standard before you can enter, most drift-schools add a considerable cost, and neither the local constabulary nor your local Tesco will appreciate you doing it on their turf.”

The track’s new series of ‘Drift What You Brung’ events in 2009 aims to attract newcomers to the sport with a relatively low-cost track day. For £60 drivers looking to learn or improve their drifting can hone their technique in a safe and legal environment and with Santa Pod’s long tarmac stretches, newbies can afford to get it wrong with nothing to hit.

Santa Pod says that DWYB events will be suitable for all skill levels from beginner to expert: “For beginners, tuition is included starting with basic donuts and figure-of-eights before progressing to full drifting techniques. Entries are limited to 50 people per day to ensure each driver has adequate track time and cars can be kept a long way apart.”

DWYB days will take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with gates opening at 8.30am, tracks open from 9.30am through to 4pm and the site closing at 5pm. Since drifting can be tough on rubber, tyre changing facilities will be available and the company recommends the addition of a spare set of four to participants’ boots.