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• Muhammad Rajah is a 12-year-old drifter from Cape Town.
• He was seven-years-old when he first got behind the wheel of a drift car.
• Muhammad drifted around one of Japan's most famous drift tracks.
• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za
Muhammad Uzayr Rajah may only be 12-years-old, but he has quickly made a name for himself in South Africa's drift circles. His name is not only familiar in Cape Town, but across the country, as well.
Muhammad was seven-years-old when he first saw his father, Raziek Rajah, tackle a drift car. The bug bit him immediately, and so began a gradual increase of his skill and confidence behind the wheel of one of the most dangerous sports cars in the world. The youngster, born and bred in Cape Town, South Africa, soon took up drifting under the watchful eye of his father and Atlantis' drift hero, Shane Green.
What was just a dragon that needed to be fed quickly spiralled into one of the biggest thrills of his young life, and Muhammad would soon realise big dreams that he never thought would become a reality so soon in his career.
Muhammad Rajah getting involved with Juan Stemmet's preparations in Japan (Supplied by Raziek Rajah)
Making history in Japan
In 2019, Muhammad and his parents flew to Japan with Juan Stemmet - the Cape Town drifter who represented South Africa at the FIA-approved Intercontinental Drifting Cup in Tokyo, Japan. Muhammad didn't realise it from the off, but the event opened his eyes to what drifting could be. Alongside his father, the two met and socialised with numerous international personalities in the drifting world. Muhammad got to spend several hours in the company of one of drift world's most famous athletes, Mad Mike, too!
But it didn't stop there for him. Muhammad became the youngest drifter ever to venture out on the Ebisu Drift Track in Tokyo. This was a definite feather in his cap, but the moment had him at a loss for words and struggling to contain his excitement.
This kid has talent; there's no doubt about that. And with his trusted BMW E30 box shape, we can be sure to see a lot more of him in future.
Watch the video below:
