Drift Matsuri 2013: no competition, no egos, no pressure – just maximum fun. That’s the statement that they made in the run up to the event and without a doubt they delivered.
It was held at Anglesey Circuit, UK where they had setup three tracks to be used over the weekend. We arrived around sunset on the Saturday night to be greeted by some of the UK & Ireland’s best drifters.
Some were still working on their cars with minutes to spare!
After everyone had setup their pit areas for the weekend the pro drivers hit the track for the Driftworks Night Fight, held on the fastest of the circuits available and only lit by a couple of floodlights.
The crowds went wild as Alex Law wore the tyres down to the wire.
On every run the drivers were gaining in confidence, many of them had never driven the circuit. It wasn’t long before there were almost continuous trains, much to the excitement of the huge crowd.
After the drifting finished, the circuit didn’t fall quiet. It was time for the party! With DJ Fenton Gee on the decks and fueled by Monster Energy & alcohol, it was a late night for many, drivers included.
The following morning a quick walk around the paddock before the day got under way with all three circuits open.
The drivers were released onto the circuit one at a time to get a feel for the conditions.
After the morning sessions finished the circuits were open to anybody, allowing the drivers from all skills and series to drift together. The high speed circuit being very popular for large trains of cars….
and backwards entries. This was one of the more extreme attempts from Ed Coley, which I should add was successful!
The other circuit featured an uphill S bend before dropping through a few corners before a sharp right to finish, giving it a touge feel.
Anglesey Circuit provides a unique view as its within a couple of hundred feet of the coast.
The cars were varied with a Ford 100E….
a BMW E30…
the British Drift Champion, Michael Marshall’s BMW E36 Touring…
even a Ford Escort.
The full gallery will follow soon, until then here are a few more photos.