INITIAL DRIFT AUSTRALIA // PRACTICE DAY @ ORAN PARK

Last weekend saw some of the best cars and drivers converge on the streets of Long Beach for the Formula Drift season opener, which showcased to thousands of fans the sport known as drifting. But did that truly show what the sport is about? Behind the glitz and glamor of the professional drift series around the world, is all the average Joe's in their beaten up street car, which to me exemplifies the true meaning and passion behind the sport. Its all about frying tyres, big angles, sharing good times with mates and expressing ones individual style, not prize money and trophies...

With Drift Australia pulling the plug on the national series, the sport has in some ways gone back to its roots, when it first came to Australia. This idology has been displayed by Initial Drift Australia, who has been at the forefront in promoting practice days and comps in Sydney, Australia right from the start.

While thousands of people watched Formula D on the streets of Long Beach, Initial Drift held a practice day at Oran Park North Circuit, where around 30 drivers turned up. The event saw a wide range of cars, to include a primer coated KE70 Corolla, a WRX rally car as well as an ex–Drift Australia car, and an even more diverse mix of driving ability. The days normally consist of practice session on a few different layouts in the morning to help the novice drivers develop their skills, then after a small lunch break the full circuit layout is used. To end the day at around 3:30 a small knockout competition is run, which consists of two car battles until a winner is crowned. I personally believe IDA has a perfect recipe for a great day behind the wheel as well as from a deck chair in the spectator area (obviously with an umbrella for this particular day)... [read more]

The storm was brewing when I first arrived in the morning...

and then it rained for most of the day and the drivers where doing so well with very little stoppages for cars going of in the sand trap.

This shot just shows the spirit of Aussie drift, it all about having a good time even though this is kind of creappy!

Ex - Drift Australia driver Matt Porter was killing it all day long!!

This rear wheel drive WRX is a regular at lots of time attack event, good to see him out giving drift a go.

Apparently the owner of this car just recently purchased it. He must had done some practice days before in another.

For a look at more shots from IDA's practice session at Oran Park, click here

Photo/Editorial: Matthew Mead