There’s a new force to be reckoned with on the Drifting scene, a movement that has come out of the Drifter’s yearning to get more track time, to get back to basics, to hone their skills and do it locally.
Here’s how it began. Bobby went to a top-secret meeting last August. The big names in local Drifting were there. The excitement was thick as Raziek Rajah of Razor Customs spoke about getting Cape Town Drifting on the map.
There were huge ideas spoken about, mention made of upping the game, of getting more track time, and importantly, of giving sponsors some real return on investment with TV exposure and more. Bobby would have loved to tell you about it back then, but he was sworn to secrecy.
EXCITED: Raziek Rajah. Photo: SHAHIEM BELL
Now it’s nine months later and Outlaw Drifting has organised and hosted four competitions and many practice sessions at the old Fisantekraal airbase, a venue that has just been waiting for shredded tyres.
Bobby (now ungagged) spoke to Raziek about the Outlaw Drifting project, managed under the auspices of Razor Customs Car Show and GHC Racing. He says: “It all started when my younger brother Zaeed and myself felt the need to get the rawness back into the Drifting world, to get something different going.”
That “rawness” he speaks of, consists in the fact that in Outlaw Drifting there is a certain reduction in rules, and more of the personal grudges taken to the track that made Drifting such a jol in the beginning.
GROOVY: Zaeed Rajah initiating and readying himself to race. Photo: SHAHIEM BELL
Well known Drifter Sean February describes an Outlaw Drifting event like this: “It’s a lekker fun vibe, getting away from the pressure of competition. The rules are not so heavy so there are less barriers to entry; so long as the car is safe, you can drive it. And there’s lots of banter on the sidelines so everybody is enjoying it. Plus you can get track time every month on a track that has about five lekker corners and fast straights.”
Raziek continues: “In a nutshell, that plan we started out with last year has been amplified and we’ve achieved our primary goal, to get SA Drifting on TV.
TRY IT: Armand brought out his S14 for a first-time drifting experience
“As of now, we’ve been picked up by a broadcaster for the first home-brewed reality car series in Africa.”
That’s kwaai news, and one that sponsors are sure to enjoy, what with the exposure that a TV show can bring. Sponsorship is always an issue in any motorsport, especially with guys who run engines hot and obliterate tyres.
REPAIR: Breakages are common but crews spring into action. Photo: SHAHIEM BELL
Raziek continues: “Cape Town has been crazy for Drifting, and we’ve not had a dedicated track. At Fisantekraal, we’ve laid out an exciting and technically challenging track, so skill among drivers is growing.”
LATERAL THINKING: Keanu takes his old Sierra sideways on the track. Photo: SHAHIEM BELL
Bobby asked about the vision of the project, like what was the main gedagte behind it. Raziek says: “On normal grid Drifting, you don’t always get the right cars challenging one another. In Outlaws, you have the right to challenge the guy directly above you on the ladder, and ultimately we have a scenario here where the best guys will go up against one another, battling their way up the ladder to top spot.
“We’re also trying to get the politics out of it, bring the rawness back. If an ou runs his mouth on the sideline, Outlaws gives a driver an opportunity to settle it. We call those Grudge Days.”
HEAT IS ON: Yaseen Damon, back, navigates through clouds of smoke churned by Stemmet’s tyres. Photo: SHAHIEM BELL
A typical day out at Fisantekraal looks like this. A bright and early 7am start, with the out in the wild rural vibe adding to the sense of serenity and calm. Then, says Raziek: “The engines start and all hell breaks loose, and it doesn’t stop until the day is over. If you want to know what rubber smells like, this is the place.
“We’ve had some serious squabbles out on the track, but they’re all worked out and the guys leave on good terms. At the moment, we don’t encourage spectators, as it can take away from the focus on driving. With spectators, you can get stuck in the ‘who knows who’ vibe.”
AANIE BRAND: Bronny White slaughters rubber throughout the course. Photo: SHAHIEM BELL
Raziek has this advice for aspiring Drifters: “Now we have a safe space to Drift, buy a car, lock the diff. and come and play.”
Real back to basics stuff.