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By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, July 2: Kuching Drift Crew member Benny Chin believes that the motorsport of drifting is the second most famous after Formula One racing.
He said drifting is getting popular in Kuching, and for him, it is the excitement of controlling the car on the track which makes it an attractive sport for many.
“I first loved the sport when I was in school, but I got more fully involved in the last four years.
“It is also because I am now in a motor-related business in selling tyres and services and this has supported my interest further,” he told reporters at the Street of the Street 2023 event hosted by Hock Seng Lee at La Promenade Mall here today.
The event saw ten competitors taking part in the drifting competition as well as various other related side events like drift taxi king, drift king, King of the Street, best outlook and best exhaust.
Chin said despite drifting being popular in Kuching and Sarawak, it is an expensive sport to be involved in.
He revealed that there are about 20 motorsport drifting drivers in Kuching and about 60 overall in Sarawak.
“It is expensive as you have to custom build the car and pay the cost to maintain the vehicle. It can reach RM100,000 or more.”
According to Chin, only a rear-wheel drive car could be used in motorsport drifting, citing the Nissan Silvia as among popular choices for drifters.
He shared that most of the rear-wheel drive cars used in motorsport drifting has a power of between 2,000 cubic capacity (cc) to 3,000 cc, and there is no category limit during the competition.
“Winning in the motorsport of drifting is not based on the power of the vehicle but the skill and capability of its driver. We have such talent here.
“The motorsport drifting car is only prepared for competition use, not to be driven on the road.
“The vehicle is safe as the car and its driver are well protected. The car has a special inbuilt protective ‘cage’, the driver wears a fireproof suit, and there is always a fire extinguisher ready in the event of an accident,” he added.
Chin hoped the local drifting scene could rise higher as there are already drivers from Sarawak competing in Kuala Lumpur.
He disclosed that one team alone could spend up to RM250,000 to participate in a competition.
“This is just probably to enter a normal competition in the country and we are not talking at the international stage,” he shared.
“We have high hopes for the drivers here in Sarawak to excel and join international competitions.
“Women here also compete in this sport and they are very bold drivers and very competitive compared to men,” he revealed.
Chin said drifting drivers could become professional, but support is needed from the government and sponsors.
He also said the motorsport of drifting is continuing to innovate, especially in mechanical technology, and is also getting more expensive.
“Despite that, we are not deterred by it as we believe we have a chance to be competitive drivers in the sport. Sarawakians are enthusiastic about the sport, and we have the talent.”
Chin said their team is also ready to participate in the National Drift Series Borneo 2023 in August in Miri.
“The best drifter will be sent to Kuala Lumpur, and then a competition in Oman. So we hope the government or big sponsors can be found and assist us,” he said. — DayakDaily
