Cars & Motorbikes Drifting - any drifters on here?

I would be thankful that it was a car and not a motor bike ... my thoughts as the mother of 3 sons.

 

At 15 Dad gave me a small Dodge truck as it wasn't roadworthy as a paddock bomb. We would drift around hay bails during summer. Dad lost a few hay bails.

Lots of fun, but looking back it was incredibly dangerous. The floor was so rotten with rust that you could see the front wheels through the holes. The tyres were completely bald which actually made it slide well. We'd do this whilst we had 2-3 mates on the back tray hanging on for dear life. Seatbelts? This was the 80's in a truck built in the 70's.

We never had an accident, but I know examples where things did go wrong. My sister had a boyfriend in high school who was killed when his paddock bomb rolled.

 

He became interested in drifting at about 14. We're not from a racing background but took him to a few events. At the race track he came across Riccarodo's Racers courses, each course was a one day intro to racing, drifting, etc and he did all three. Being under 18 he only had the option to take up Excel Racing, so he's been doing that for the past 2 years, so we've already got the care trailer set up. My son paid for the car and modifications himself. (probably $12,000 plus) My husband and him built the race car. We bought the tralier, probably $8000. Yep, I know about the $$$ He's won heaps of awards, Top Rooky, Burson Future Star, and heaps of Trophies 2nd, 3rd, as well as coming first in a Time Challenge. (need to nominate a time to do each lap consistantly). So the next step is to get professional racing lessons if he wants to take it further, but he wants to just race for fun, and do drifting on the side for fun. (unless he changes his mind once the season starts again). He is 18 now. He has one sponsor for racing, and a few smaller sponsors that give discounts or complimentary work. He has heaps of spare tyres from racing, which he has already paid for. He got pushed into a wall at 80k's an hour late last year and had to do a complete rebuild. So I've told him I won't be watching him drift at all, nerves are already shot! Yes I'm glad it's not motor bikes, my cousin had a bad accident champion side car racing recently and just went through surgery, not good!

 

Where did you get this? My son would absolutely FLIP over something like this!

 

Wanneroo Raceway, he's made up a calender of all the drift events and race events over the next few months already! He just sold his mini-car, lol.

 

I bought mine from Japan. The brand I went with is called Yokomo. But there's a lot of brands out there.

 

Wow, what a childhood, I bet he appreciates everything you have done for him!!

If that's the case, you're ready to go, it just comes down to the car. To keep it under $15,000 I'd suggest a 350z, or even an old r31 Skyline with a solid engine.

Another option is to buy a car that's already had the hard work done (let's say $30,000). Jump in and have fun .

Very fun and it's very addictive (the cost isn't though).

 

Thank you for your help! Yes he's living the life.

 

Relax Propin. Your son will be fine. I've had a long unnatural passion for motor vehicles, smokey tyres and driving sideways in car parks. Look at me, I've turned out OK.

 

Haha, thanks, you are right. At least he's at the age now that he doesn't need to go grocery shopping with me. Drifting the trolley around the isles and carpark always kept me on edge!

 

I started thinking: how do you counter steer on a trolley? Then I realised: I'm getting way too absorbed in this conversation.

 

Haha, you'll have to give it a go

 

Oh gosh, done deal now

 

It's a good starter drift car.

This is my son's from a couple years ago - he's sold it since & then started doing up a Hyundai Excel class - but just purchased his first house @ 23yo & don't see him getting to compete for a while.

 

Such a neat car! Is he planning on doing Excel Racing? Which state?

 

Hahah this is great. Nice R31!

I was going to suggest skidpan, rally or even indoor gokarts (can go to tracks specifically for drifting and they are FUN) - but it seems he has already jumped in with both feet!
Wish him all the best and dont forget to upload videos for us.

 

Drifter?

 

Thank you!! Yes he’s no slouch! He did his first drift event on Saturday at Wanneroo Raceway, then Drift School on Sunday! He’s having fun!

 

Thanks heaps for the encouragement also! It’s quite a different environment being thrown into this not being from a racing/drifting background in the past but so much positive encouragement in this field of sport. I’ll check with my son what I can post.