Drifting returns to Dover

After a scintillating performance at the Dover Raceway a few months ago, the internationally famed drifters team will be back at the St Ann track for the Heroes Day event next month.

Named Heroes of Drift and Race Meet, it will be held on Monday, October 20. Five US-based drifters who operate under the banner, Ter-Tech, were at Dover in May.

"We have been communicating with Harri Tervola, who has since confirmed that he and members of the drifters group will be here for the October event, which promises to be the most exciting race meet for 2014," president of the Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC), Charles Chen, told Automotives on Friday.

Chen stressed that it is planned that the meet will be filled with non-stop action, as seven cars from Florida are expected to arrive in the island in time to compete.

NEW RECORD TO BE SET

"These cars will be driven by some Florida-based Jamaicans who have expressed an interest. It is clear that our local talents will be tested, but we will stand up to the challenge," said Chen. "These cars are likely to compete in the Modified Production and Thundersport classes. The drivers are already claiming that they will set a new track record," Chen said.

According to driftworks.com, drifting is a driving style in which the driver uses throttle, brakes, clutch, gear shifting and steering input to keep the car in a condition of oversteer, while maneuvering from turn to turn. Drifters emphasise car control by co-ordinating the amount of counter steer (or opposite lock), along with the simultaneous modulation of the throttle and brakes, to shift the weight balance of the car back and forth through the turns.

Furthermore, they strive to achieve this while adhering to the standard racing lines and maintaining extreme slip angles.

Chen pointed to keeping Dover fans satisfied as a major reason for the repeat showing by the drifters. "We took the decision to bring back the drifters because a significant number of motor sport fans missed out on the opportunity to witness drifting for the first time at Dover, so we have provided another opportunity for them," said Chen.

Looking back at the season, Chen believes that the JRDC has accomplished a lot this year.

"We have been working very hard to get things to another level and ensuring that our sponsors get their money's worth. If you make the environment right, then everything will fall in place," the JRDC president said.

The JRDC will be having another track day next Sunday, where motor sport fans are invited to come with their regular cars and go on the track.

"For this day, we will be bringing down an instructor from Florida, who will educate persons about the features of their cars because there are so many people who are driving around town and don't even know how the anti-lock braking system in their car works. This instructor will demonstrate how they can better manoeuvre their vehicles," Chen said.