Drifting
The best of the burnt rubber from Drift Shifters
Watch a drift racing masterclass, as the pinball wizards wow the crowds at Red Bull Drift Shifters.
1 min
Burning rubber at Red Bull Drift Shifters 2014
Check out the best of the burnouts, as the drifters hit the custom-designed course in Auckland.
Going up a gear for 2014, this year's edition of Red Bull Drift Shifterssaw a 20,000-strong crowd gather to watch the drivers take on the unique pinball-machine-inspired track on the streets of Auckland, New Zealand. You can watch a cut of the best action in the player above.
In the end, it was Kiwi drifting legend and course co-creator ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett who took the crown, after posting a strong total of 4,012,088 in the final. Matt Powers of the USA was the only driver to beat that score on the day, registering 4,101,229 in the quarter-final, but he couldn't replicate that form in the next round and finished in fourth place overall. Powers’ compatriot, new Formula Drift champion Chris Forsberg took second, with NZ driver ‘Fanga’ Dan Woolhouse in third.
That was as hard as I could go – full throttle and the car was overheating ... I’m pumped we cracked over four million points, it was a tough battle.
– ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett
The USA’s Chris Forsberg sealed second
© Miles Holden/Red Bull Content Pool
Whiddett on his way to the win
© Miles Holden/Red Bull Content Pool
‘Fanga’ Dan Woolhouse (L) completed the podium
© Graeme Murray/Red Bull Content Pool
The event format, unique in drift racing, sees a break from the usual head-to-head race. It allows individual drivers to take centre stage, racing against the clock, with additional focus on speed, angle and proximity – all of which are picked up by automatic sensors, making the whole thing almost literally like a giant game of pinball.
This was unlike any other drift event in the world ... using sensors in downtown city streets really brings people in right up close to the cars. It’s the ultimate show of car control.
– Chris Forsberg
Whiddett, who has played a key role in making the event a reality, was understandably delighted with how it all went, "The biggest thing I’m stoked about is how much interest we had from the best drivers around the world," he comments. "To have the likes of Chris Forsberg, Daigo Saito and Ken ‘Nomuken’ Nomura come along and say that it is an amazing event, shows just how much potential Drift Shifters has. We’re not trying to reinvent the sport of drifting, but just package it in a way that is accessible and easy for spectators to follow. I really think the format has succeeded in doing that.
“My dream for this event is for it to hit all of the major cities around the world. We have a great concept here, so there’s definitely big things to come for Drift Shifters.”
Missed the event? Watch all the action on demand from Drift Shifters on Red Bull TV.