The smell of burning rubber filled the air last July 13 at the Megatent grounds in Libis, Quezon City as cars slid and skidded in the second round of Hyundai’s Lateral Drift Championship. The event saw 30 amateur and pro drift drivers competing for the podiums in this year’s series.
Drift couple Japan D1 Grand Prix drifter and race car driver Kimihiro Obata and wife Hiromi Kajikuma were present at the event to encourage racers. Since last year, these two drift masters have been the forerunners in establishing a new global standard for the sport. This year’s drift championship was no different as the couple surprised riders by changing the track layout, pushing the drifters to do better in order to cope.
For the Amateur division, Adrian Jonsay of Team GMW bagged 1st place; Karr Montaner of Drive Hard Crew finished 2nd; and Patrick Hesse of Team Drift Mob completed the podium at 3rd.
The Pro division saw newcomer Jowil Lazaga from Team GMW earning 1st place by wowing judges and spectators with his sideways driving action. He cites slalom races and GMW team leader Boddie Dabasol as his experience wells. Pilipinas Got Talent drift tandem Gio Rodriguez and Ralph Tan, both from Team A-toy Customs, finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Round three of the Hyundai Lateral Drift Pro-Am Championship Series 2014 will be on August 23 at the Quirino Grandstand. It is powered by the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and is sponsored by Saffiro Tires, Dickies Clothing, and Aguila Glass.
For more details, you can visit the Hyundai and Lateral Drift Production Facebook pages.