With about 5000 fans milling around, some of the hottest metal on four wheels slammed low and Drift builds laying down rubber hard on the paving, Bobby Nitro could hardly think of a better use for the Grand Parade.
Drift City 2018 rocked the CBD on Monday as Cape Town’s kwaai multi-attraction event promoted the motorsport of Driftkhana, a unique format that combines the adrenalin-fuelling thrill of sideways action of Drift with the more technical tight turns of Gymkhana.
On one end was Ready D with Dr1ft Squad in their element pulling willing passengers into cars for hair-raising demo drifts, while on the other, the main competition saw 40 entrants pit their wits and skills against one another and the clock in a tight and technical course set out with cones. And there were surprises.
Through the middle there was a static display of note, with some of the Cape’s best known Stance and show vehicles sitting pretty, as well as industry stalls, food and Kenilworth Karting running a small track off to the side. Something for everybody.
Vic Pardal, globe-trotting motorsport entertainer and emcee with Zaid Kriel for the day, says: “Drift City is one of my top events of the year, and I get to go to a lot. It’s got that international feel and the fact that it’s right there in the iconic scenery of the CBD, rather than a track, made for an awesome vibe.
“It was good to see more drivers from around the country, though I must say the people’s champ of the day was definitely Isak van Zyl.”
Isak has made podium two years running and was gunning for top spot this year. His drift machine having recently had a makeover, including
making it 250mm wider.
Vic continues: “When he hit a cone, people were devastated and, yes, that car has been working out at Virgin Active.”
Jim McFarlane from Joburg took top spot, followed by local boy Bronnie White and Patrick ‘The Rookie’ Tuson in third, also from upcountry and driving a 350z. Apparently it was Patrick’s second ever competition, hence the nickname.
Of course, keeping your car on the track is half of every event and the day did see many competitors suffering breakages. Other big surprises were Sean February taking last year’s winner, Otto Graven, to the cleaners. Then the top four drivers from 2017 were knocked out, some quite early, which made for an exciting finale.
Drift City media man Jason Williams says: “Danny, our international competitor, drove a Nissan Silvia S14, but the motor gave in. Graven Motorsport, however, stepped up to the plate and lent him their Toyota Soarer Missile to continue in.”
Vic adds: “What made the event so special is the organisers made the drifters feel like rock stars. Even if you were knocked out you felt appreciated, which goes a long way.”
TPDZ media representative Shahiem Bell adds: “I personally would like to thank the Clippin’ Point crew for putting together such a sterling event. As a fellow event organiser, I can only imagine the work put in behind the scenes to put an event of this magnitude together.
“This event surely has all the correct aspects and will soon be one that will attract motorsport athletes from all over the world. Danny Cross, in fact, flew in from the UK to compete.”
And the punters were right in there as the action unfolded. One patron, Reece, remarked on a WhatsApp group: “Not sure if you guys know it, but the crowd really gets into it. They pay attention to things like track layout, drivers’ names and who’s in the lead, as well as the rules around knocking cones and deviating from the track. It feels like I’m in a crowd at the rugby stadium sometimes the way they go on.”
On the static side, there were some fine vehicles. Vic says: “In the Cape, you can see the Stance movement is the leader, it’s the bread and butter. Capestance was on point with some of the freshest cars in SA.”