MPMC member Ian Hammond is a Drifter. He explains what attracted him to this spectacular new sport....
In 2000 I has working in the motor trade when I heard my manager speaking about this brand new form of motorsport called "drifting" and how a BMW M3 was the best on the day. Well, I had never heard of this and was intrigued, I asked the question "what is drifting?" Well it all began there...
Drifting is said to have been developed about 30 years ago in the mountainous regions of Japan. Young people would meet in the "Touge" (mountains) and race through the hills in their rear wheel drive cars. It is not confirmed where it originated from but some believe it was an area called Hakone, others say Negano, and I know that it took place a lot in Osaka, but wherever it happened, it was in the Japanese Alps.
In 2007 I had decided that following this sport that looked so interesting was just too much to handle and I just had to have a try. I already owned a Toyota Supra twin turbo and had a blast around a kart track in Lydd, Kent. Well, the feeling was great, 3 litres and two turbos later I had found my hobby and something I actually enjoyed doing.
Most people in drifting drive Japanese performance cars such as Nissan Skylines, 200sx, 300zx, Toyota corolla's and Supra's amongst others. There is the odd BMW but that’s about it. I wanted to do something different, and after extensive research, I discovered a list of cars that had never been drifted in the UK, one such car was a Porsche 924. I found a 924 Carerra GT and I was drawn to the bright sunshine yellow paint job. A few modifications later and it was ready for the track, first being drifted at Lydd in August 2007 making headlines on various drift forums. This car soon developed engine issues due to the high rev abuse it endured so I moved my attention to a car that I could "Fix Or Repair Daily" myself without massive cost. Yes, I bought a Ford Sierra for £200. This drifted for a year at various events in the south east from Lydd in Kent to Arena Essex and Santa Pod. The vehicle liked the tight bends of Lydd on a very technical track and also like the high speed entrances at Arena Essex on the dampened track but lacked power on the wider sweeping dry tracks. In January 2009 the Sierra eventually blew the engine so I set about my next ambition, to compete in the British Drift Championships (BDC) and Pro Drift.
I took my plight to a motorsports firm specialising in cosworth engines, who agreed to build a custom race engine for me. The vehicle is still being built with an estimated completion day getting closer. It has undergone a new paint job and will be advertising new sponsors. The intention is to use this car to qualify for the BDC licenses as an amateur to compete in the 2010 season. I have a long way to go before I compete at pro level but with the right car, and right support, everything is achievable.
For updates on my progress and future dates members can visit www.pure-carma.co.uk
Ian Hammond
Update as promised..
The car is now finished and running. We currently have 282bhp at 8psi boost which is quite low, this is just until the engine is run in a little. Estimated bhp on full boost will be approx 350bhp!
I would like to say a public thank you to the following people that have helped and sponsored me...
ABC Motorsports (www.abc-motorsports.co.uk)
Dan @ StickR for the new graphics (www.stick-r.co.uk)
and Chris Sheldrick @ www.cms-servicing.co.uk
New pictures to follow shortly as the car has now changed colour and been re-finished with new sponsors.
Ian is currently competing in the Open Drift Championships.
Next Event - Essex Arena 5th June 2010.
If you join the Facebook Group - Pure Carma, they will send you a flyer to print off for discounted entry.