Unleashing the Beast: My Thrilling Drive in the World’s First Production Drift Car
When I was a teenager, I dabbled in the arts and religion, pondering life's big questions. While my quest for divine answers led me to atheism, my passion for speed and motorsport became my newfound faith. Come Sundays, my sanctuary wasn't a church, but the racetrack—a place where I could free my soul and let my inner speed demon loose.
Drifting: My True Religion
Motorsport has always felt like my true calling, and drifting, in particular, holds a special place in my heart. The sheer exhilaration of drifting—its sights, sounds, and sensations—has taken me around the world, allowed me to meet my idols, and become skilled in ways I could never have imagined. My passion culminated over a decade ago when I graduated from MyWay Drift School in Tokol, Hungary. Recently, I had the opportunity to return to this hallowed ground, and what I found there brought tears of joy to my eyes.
My friend and former instructor, Adam Frank, has spent the last ten years crafting the world's first production drift car, a project known as It Is What It Is (IIWII). The MyWay Drift School, situated on a 40,000 square meter parcel of an ex-Soviet airport, provides an ideal playground for refining drifting skills with its safe and exhilarating track.
Photo: Andrei Minzu
The Awaited Moment
Our reunion took place on a crisp morning as my team and I arrived at the school. The drift cars came into view, their silhouettes cutting through the early mist like ghosts of motorsport's future. These machines might initially remind you of an Ariel Atom or a KTM X-Bow with their tubular chassis and minimal body panels giving an exoskeleton-like appearance. But believe me, these are unique beasts built specifically for the art of drifting.
Then came the symphony of V8s—three roaring IIWIIs equipped with BMW-sourced 4.0-liter engines. One plan for the future even includes switching to Chevrolet powerplants. I was fortunate enough to sample 300 horsepower in a lightweight 1,720 lbs (780 kg) chassis. Picture the Polaris RZR Pro R with its 225 hp and 2,187 lbs, or the Lotus Elise with less than 200 hp—neither compares to the raw, unfiltered power of the IIWII.
Behind the Wheel
Adam handed me the keys to a red IIWII, and the anticipation was palpable. Climbing into the simplistic yet functional cockpit, it was all about harnessing oneself, flipping the power switch, and hitting the Start button to awaken the beast. The instruction was simple: “Start in second gear and keep it in third for the whole track.” As the car roared to life, it felt as if I had been waiting for this moment my entire existence.
Despite nearly a decade away from drifting, I soon realized how straightforward the IIWII was to drive. Feeling the raw wind against my face, I was reminded of riding a motorcycle, with a sensation strikingly similar to when I tested a CFMOTO side-by-side vehicle. The low seating position mirrored that of a go-kart, and the car’s eager rear end was quick to slide out with just a nudge of throttle.
Feeling Like a Drift God
My apprehensions vanished after two practice laps. The IIWII’s power-to-weight ratio and handling capability made me feel like a drifting deity within mere minutes. By the end of my session, I couldn’t help but feel that this car is a game-changer. It's engineered not just for performance but to keep drifting enjoyable. Easy maintenance, affordability, and sheer fun? That’s a winning formula.
Photo: Andrei Minzu
Adam mentioned that the car performs even better on semi-slicks, and I had the chance to find out as we tackled new layouts each day of the event. Anxiety crept in initially, but the IIWII’s balanced chassis soon instilled confidence. As drifting legend Keiichi Tsuchiya says, balance truly is key.
The Dance of Drifting
With guidance from experienced drift instructors like Nicolo Rosso, I improved with each lap. Their tips were invaluable, making the IIWII feel even more controllable. Drifting became a hypnotic dance between man and machine, where time seemed to slow down as I embraced each slide and smoke-filled turn.
Intriguingly, IIWII's exoskeleton design offers robust protection, making it perfect for tandem battles and training newcomers without risking chassis damage. This ingenuity could redefine how we approach teaching drifting, swinging the balance towards enjoying the sport rather than worrying about damaging expensive body panels.
Before wrapping up my time at the school, I had the chance to try a blue IIWII. This model boasted a slightly larger, more modern BMW V8 and semi-slick tires, delivering a more aggressive feel. It took a few laps to adjust, but the thrill of drifting this beast, with its precision and sheer grunt, solidified my belief: the IIWII is set to revolutionize drift culture.
Some students who participated were supercar owners yet were floored by the IIWII’s sheer joy factor. Faces lit with ear-to-ear grins were testament to the car’s ability to revive the essence of fun in drifting. For me, the It Is What It Is drift car symbolized the beginning of an exhilarating new chapter in my drifting journey, one filled with promise and limitless excitement.
