DRIFT City Race Report

For the first time ever a world class motorsport event was given the green light and hosted on one of Cape Towns most historic landmarks, The Grand Parade. DRIFT City, a mix of Drifting and Gymkhana gave spectators more than they bargained for.

24 of the countries best drivers competed on a technical. Mirrored course filled with tight 360’s, long sweeping drifts, and figure eights. During qualifying drivers were under pressure to lay down the best time possible by running the course with as much speed and flare as they could, without picking up any infringements, like knocking cones or obstacles, which would ad time penalties to their final time, or score. The Top 16 best times would advance through to the next round.

The Top 16 hit took to the course and the atmosphere was electrifying. Drivers gave it their all, pushing themselves and their cars to the absolute limit on the physically gruelling DRIFT City course. Only the Top 8 would advance from here.

The Top 8 is where things really got heated and the difference between runs was literally 1 second in certain cases. This is also where the tables turned drastically. The biggest upset was for the regional drift champion, Daniel Blaser, who had to retire after a steering mechanical mid-run, putting his Nissan 200sx squarely into the tyre wall.

Advancing into the Final 4 was Shane Green, Jason Webb, Jason Gorman and Izak Van Zyl. All with the same intention, winning the inaugural DRIFT City event. The final run was an all out battle of skill between Izak Van Zyl and Shane Green. Their first time out was so close, the judges called a 1 More Time. The second time out, with the crowds losing their minds, it was all or nothing. They lined up, were counted down, and when the flag dropped it was pandemonium. Both drivers launched their cars with split second reaction times ready to attack the course for the final time. Shane Green entered the first obstacle flawlessly. Izak Van Zyl however made the one mistake of the day that cost him dearly. He entered a little bit tighter than he should’ve and took a cone along with him. This cost him a time penalty and threw him off his driving line, costing him precious seconds.

In the end the spoils, and R10 000 prize money went to Shane Green, 2nd place to Izak Van Zyl and 3rd place to Jason Gorman. Driver of the day went to Raymond Hearn.

Photos by Eric Palmer and Grant Mclachlan