MANILA, Philippines - There’s something especially charming about the art of drifting—perhaps due to the visual spectacle, or simply because in some countries like ours, it has not yet gone mainstream. There’s always something cool about participating in something out of the ordinary, especially when it involves hot cars, tire-burning and some heart-stopping action. Thus, it is truly with much excitement that motorsport enthusiasts welcome drifting competitions, such as the Hyundai Lateral Drift Pro-Am Championship Series.
Now on its 8th season, the Hyundai Lateral Drift Series is the first and only drift series in the Philippines. And as a special treat this year, all six competition legs will be graced by Japanese celebrity-drifter-couple Kimihiro Obata and Hiromi Kajikuma as guest judges. Kimihiro Obata is a D1 Grand Prix drifter while Ms. Hiromi Kajikuma races in Formula Drift in the USA. Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, is the title sponsor of this drifting championship series.
The Hyundai Lateral Drift Series kicked off rounds 1 and 2 last August 31-September 1 (Sat. & Sun.) at the Megatent in Libis, Quezon City. The mornings were reserved for practice while the official amateur rounds were held at 1pm and the professional rounds from 3pm onwards. Bagging 1st, 2nd and 3rd places on the first day were Cedric Cabanyero, Robert Tan and Mark Bernardo respectively, in the amateur competition; and Gio Rodriguez, Tintin David and Audel Sison respectively, in the professional category. On the second day, the winners wer: 1st – Robert Tan, 2nd – EJ Malibiran, 3rd – Mark Bernardo in the amateur competition; and 1st – Gio Rodriguez, 2nd – Alex Perez, 3rd – Boodie Dabasol, in the professional category.
Also, among the notable participants in the event were Rad Albano, the youngest drifter in the series, and his partner from team Autocraft Drift, both of whom just changed from amateur to professional status after their many wins in the amateur division last year. This year they are competing as professionals for the first time. Another standout is Tintin David, who has been the only female participant to make it to the winning podium so far this year. She, too, has recently changed to professional status after participating in the amateur division last year.
For more information about the competition and its upcoming legs, you may check out the HyundaiPH and Lateral Drift Productions Facebook Pages. Spectator admission to all legs of the competition is absolutely free.