BURN my dust. Eat my rubber” or-er, was it the other way around? Now, that is not Chevy Chase’s line in the 1989 movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—wherein the American comedian’s silly antics made him a global household name during that time.
Rather, it captures the experience of every motoring journalist, who attended Hyundai’s media drifting challenge held this week on the Megatent Events Place parking grounds.
Sadly, vertigo had kicked in and no amount of prescription drugs could save this writer after one session after another of going “sideways” around the make-shift track. Even instructors were left with nothing to do but nod, raise their arms and flip their thumb up.
“This is the opening salvo of the Hyundai Lateral Drift Championship Series, which will officially start on the CCP parking grounds this Saturday. We wanted to get the media to be really involved,” said Giuseppe Morta, marketing head, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (Hari).
“We wanted these journalists to really get a firsthand experience of the Hyundai Genesis coupe and how well it performs in this sport,” Morta explained.
Drifting is a driving technique that originated in Japan, wherein the driver intentionally oversteers the car, causing loss of traction in the wheels, while maintaining control from entry to exit of a corner.
A car is said to be drifting when the rear slip angle is greater than the front slip angle to such an extent that the front wheels are pointing in the opposite direction to the turn.
Japanese motorcycling legend-turned-driver, Kunimitsu Takahashi first initiated drifting techniques in the 1970s. This earned him several championships and a legion of enthusiasts, who loved seeing a spectacle of burning tires.
Keiichi Tsuchiya, aka the “Drift King”, became one of the students of the drifting genius and even helped popularize the sport. In 1987 “DK” became a hit through the produced video “Pulspy” and inspired many professional drifting drivers on the circuits today.
This year marks the 10th season of the Lateral Drift Championship Series, which was organized for the purpose of introducing drifting as a motorsport to Filipino enthusiasts.
Since 2005, drifting in the Philippines has come a long way. The number of amateur and professional drifters has grown by leaps and bounds and continues to do so.
“We’re happy that drifting in the country has grown. And we want to show everyone that the sport is safe,” Lateral Drift Productions President Charlie Cruz stated.
With the support of Hari, a partner for the third-straight year, the vision of Lateral Drift Productions has become a reality. For a decade now, drifting enthusiasts have not just expanded the motorsport discipline but have also upgraded their skills to a level worthy of the global stage. Hyundai, meanwhile, understands the serious sport of drifting, and has provided the Genesis Coupe as the answer to heavy drifting needs.
“The Hyundai Genesis coupe is one of the leading sports cars in its class. It’s unmatched. It’s unrivaled. With its powerful engine, distinct fluidic design, styling and performance, it’s the best value for money that one can have,” Morta shared.
Japanese drift duo Hiromi Kajikuma, and Kimihiro Obata, who will again serve as judges in the competition, can attest to the Genesis Coupe’s excellent handling, performance and style.
Spectators can expect more excitement as they welcome familiar faces led by last year’s judge Jason Choachuy, who will now be pitted against other pro drivers, which include back-to-back Hyundai Lateral Drift Champion Gio Rodriguez of Team A-toy Customs. Catch all the rubber-burning action on these dates: March 21, April 18, May 23, June 20 and July 18, with a sixth round to be confirmed.
Image credits: Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes