2014 Will it Drift - sideways is the right way

  • Dec 3, 2014
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India's only drifting event - Will it Drift was held in Mumbai to give automotive enthusiasts some sideways action

Gautam Singhania drifting in the BMW M3

Drifting as a sport is in its nascent stages in our country where motorsports is still considered as an entertainment (that’s what the Government of India thinks about F1). But Hollywood blockbuster, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift has made drifting popular among the masses. To promote drifting as a sport, Gautam Hari Singhania, a self-confessed petrolhead, Chairman and Managing Director, Raymond Limited organised the Will it Drift event in Thane, Mumbai. In fact, Gautam Singhania has won at the AllStars European Drift Championship held at Malta in September, 2012 and is the only Indian to achieve this feat.

Gautam Singhania drifting in the  Nissan Silvia

The Will it Drift event was held over a period of two days, where the first day was reserved for the participants to practice and better understand the track. The drift race was held on the following day and over 25 participants from across Mumbai attended the event and were briefed about the guidelines to ensure complete safety before going onto the track. One of the novel features of Will it Drift drifting event is the fact that entry is free, so basically the participant just needs a car to compete.

The biggest hurdle faced by participants was the fact that most of the cars sold in our country are front-wheel drive ones which means the task on their hand was even more challenging. But in an interaction, Gautam Singhania he had mentioned that they were trying out polycarbonate tyre covers that fit over standard car tyres which should make drifting in front-wheel drive cars much more easier. 

Winners of 2014 Will it Drift

Coming back to the race, it was Kartik driving a Maruti Suzuki Swift who was adjudged the winner thereby maintaining his crown as he had won the last year’s Will it Drift event also. Second place was shared by Bhanushali and Arvaan Joshi while Farhad Kutty took the final step on the podium. Gautam Singhania also did a few runs on his drift-spec Nissan Silvia and BMW M3 to keep the crowds entertained and it was sheer to treat for many to see a pro drift driver in action. 

Speaking about the event, Gautam Hari Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director, Raymond Limited and Founder Chairman, Super Car Club said “I have always been passionate about drifting and have supported this sport thoroughly. The sport is still in its nascent stage and seeing so many young enthusiasts participating in ‘Will it Drift’ makes me really happy. It’s quite encouraging to see the number of participants going up each year. Cars in India are front wheel drive and are not apt for drifting, however there is a technology that is being tested which can enable these cars to drift.”

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