It has been coming for some time now, from the backyards and garages of the Cape, from those hours on the track, seizing every opportunity to hone their skills, as SA drifting gets a moment on the international stage.
Cut to the big story - in a first ever achievement, local drifter Juan Stemmet has been elected to participate in this year’s FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup (IDC) in Japan. For real.
Bobby Nitro spoke to Juan about his entering the big leagues. Juan says: “At first I thought this was out of our league and that Raziek (deal maker) was talking k@k. Then we had a meeting and I heard it was me who had been selected and I was super surprised.
“After starting drifting as a hobby, it has gone way bigger than I thought. [It] hasn’t really sunk in yet. It’s not easy getting here as a privateer, with no sponsors. My car has been built by myself, in my garage, and now I’m upgrading to the international specs, including new roll cage, seats, belts and more. A sponsor would be nice.”
PLATFORM: Drift Outlaws top drifter Juan Stemmet en Raziek. Picture: Supplied.
Bobby Nitro spoke to Raziek Rajah, the founder of Drift Outlaws, an outfit that has given local drifting a regular track and kwaai runs, about how this amazing opportunity came to be.
He says: “First off, I had to actually pinch myself when I heard the news. It started when a mate of mine called me from Europe, he had been the main guy behind Drift All Stars. He was impressed with the social media presence we’ve had with Drift Outlaws and GHC Racing, reaching over 14 million people.
Raziek’s friend recommended that they submit for the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup (IDC). He says: “I was not sure we’d survive the test against these major organisations, so I didn’t say anything to the guys yet in case nothing came of it.”
Apparently the international guys were intrigued about Outlaw Drifting’s race-up rule versus the usual grid system. Outlaws set things up where drivers can race against close competitors instead of unequal matches (grid system).
RECOGNISED: Raziek Rajah. Picture: Supplied.
Raziek says: “It’s very different, and the grid guys were very intrigued, as we create a competitive exciting track day. In the end, pitting number nine against number 10 is a lot more competitive than 10 vs number one.”
About Juan Stemmet, Raziek says: “He was Drift King, so I submitted our number one driver. He’s taking his Nissan S13 200SX to Japan. He’s over the moon, initially I don’t think he believed it.
“I said to him ‘Juan if you perform on this global platform you might not drive in Drift Outlaws again. If you do well at intercontinental, the global guys might just offer you a deal. If you beat the top guys, you have an open entry into any series worldwide’.
“Juan’s competitors have come forward to back him, as he has stood tall season after season. When he loses, he comes back stronger. He has big match temperament and is able to remain calm, and that’s something you can’t teach people.”
MEAN: Juan will compete with his Nissan S13 200SX. Picture: Supplied.
And his skill is undeniable. At the top, the guy who is able to remain composed is the guy who is able to deliver at the end of the day.
Juan says having started out in drifting just a few short years ago, his hobby turned into something more serious.
What has dawned upon Juan, is that he is driving with the world’s best. He’s also carrying the flag for South Africa, as the first local driver to get to this event. It is a stepping stone for the entire SA drift community. It also creates a new platform for local sponsors, in that now they can get access to a world stage.
In December, 31 competitors converge on Japan’s Tsukuba circuit to determine who will be crowned the 2019 champion, to receive a trophy at the FIA’s end-year awards ceremony in France, alongside racing competitors like Lewis Hamilton and Marc Marques.
EQUAL: Drift community appreciates the local strength versus strength duals. Picture: Supplied.
To add to the thrills, the FIA event takes the top 15 from the qualifying rounds, and they stand one side. Then the bottom 16 battle it out in tandems, and the top driver fills the last spot in the top to make it a top 16.”
Bobby remembers attending the first meeting of Drift Outlaws, where Raziek spoke about his vision of ultimately getting SA drift onto the international stage. It was big dreaming at the time, but hey, if it’s never dreamt it will never come to be.
Raziek adds: “What was humbling, was the FIA saying we are good enough to come overseas. They also looked at the way we have managed to stay clear of local drift politics.”