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- Cape Town spinning and drifting specialist Yaseen Damon is firing on all cylinders.
- He's prepared a special car; a custom Nissan 200SX with BIG turbo and gas for battle.
- He also drives a BMW E30 as a spinning car, but the SX is considered his winning choice.
- For motoring news, go to Wheels24
Yaseen Damon hails from Grassy Park, and he has been drifting and spinning cars since he was 14 years old. He has since gleaned driving experience from World Rally Championship drivers and has travelled worldwide as a stunt and precision driver. We had the fortune of meeting him at Red Bull Shayi Moto (a spinning competition) a couple of years ago, and we have experienced his talent first hand. Damon is, undoubtedly, one of the best drifters and spinners in the country.
The young yet veteran driver takes on an exciting new challenge; Red Bull Car Park Drift. The event takes place in Durban in April, and Damon has been preparing a secret weapon that he's finally ready to talk about. We caught up with the professional spinner and drifter to learn more about the vehicle he's taking to the competition and what drives him to succeed in this fast-paced world of adrenaline and horsepower.
Custom-built Nissan 200SX built to thrill
We've had the fortune of seeing Damon take his BMW E30 3 Series to the limit and beyond when spinning at the Shayi Moto event in Gauteng. We thought he'd be taking this car to the drifting competition, but he tells us he's prepared a secret weapon for Car Park Drift, a machinegun, if you will.
"Many people who know me will immediately think of my E30. I'm confident that I can compete in a drifting competition with it, but for Car Park Drift, if just won't have the legs to keep up with some of the big guns that the guys will bring to the table. When I started in this scene, the top guys were all using the Nissan 200SX and the 240SX, and that's the car that I will be using to drift this time. The SX is built to drift, and I'll be able to put in a good performance with the right suspension and engine setup," he says.
Read: Rock your handbrake! Red Bull Car Park Drift brings the sideways action back to Durban
He explains that his 200SX features a custom-built drift-tuned suspension system without giving too much away. "The engine is a Nissan RB unit, but we've gone for a big turbo setup. I'm not looking for huge horsepower because, with the right suspension, the SX will slide whether it has 100kW or 500kW. But I am playing to win. There are 50 of us competing this year, and all of us will want to take the trophy to go to the World Finals. I just want to make sure I have the right engine and suspension and that everything is hooking up nicely," he expounds.
The Nissan 200SX that Damon has built that he admits isn't made with immense power in mind is nitrous-fuelled. He's one of a handful of drifters who activate nitrous oxide during a drift for even more tar melting performance at the limit of adhesion. After all, Red Bull Car Park Drift is all about speed, slip, angle, and style, and of course, you have to impress the judges with some eccentricity.
Car prep is one thing. The mindset is another
Damon says that although the world of spinning and drifting stands slightly apart, the passion comes from the same place. "We all started out as youngsters. We learned to build a strong mind to focus on driving when we are performing. I am a huge advocate for road safety, and I hope that events such as Shayi Moto and Car Park Drift attract more youth to get into motorsport in a safe environment. There are opportunities to go pro, and yes, it does cost a lot of money to be involved in motorsport, but it's a great way to find discipline and focus in life," he notes.
He says that his experience as a professional driver and access to mentors such as Ready D in the spinning and drifting worlds has given him an edge to stay motivated. "I know I can perform at the very top of the game, but it's [drifting] challenging, and I must admit that there are so many talented drivers in South Africa. As much as I am looking forward to the Car Park Drift, I am still focused on keeping my mind clear. The goal is to represent South Africa at the World Finals, which I know I can accomplish," he concludes.
If you want to experience the Car Park Drift
South Africa's 50 leading drifters will collide in Durban to face off in what's been described as the country's most prestigious drifting event, the Red Bull Car Park Drift South Africa National Qualifier.
The event will occur at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino on April 9 2022. Last year, Red Bull Car Park Drift made its way to South African shores for the first time. To mark its first event, Guinness Record holder and judge Abdo Feghali was drifting a Nissan 350Z through the streets of Durban and some of its most famous landmarks in a unique clip that celebrates the city, titled 'Durban Drift'.
Drifting is one of motorsport's most exciting and fastest-growing disciplines, demanding the perfect balance of speed, style, and fearlessness from its drivers. The aim is to set the car into sideways drift through a corner by intentionally oversteering to initiate the controlled loss of traction.
Read: SA car spinning is a real sport - Shay’ iMoto's first-ever national champion is crowned
In South Africa, the sport goes back to around 2004 with pioneer drifters such as Faheem Salie and legendary DJ and TV host Ready D - they kicked off the drifting scene in Cape Town with the Nissan 200SX S13, which paid tribute to Japanese styled drift cars. The crew was known as 'The Drift Squad' and were known to drift in various parking lots around Cape Town.
Red Bull Car Park Drift South Africa National Qualifier will take place at Suncoast on 9 April 2022. Have what it takes? Get your entry in today. https://t.co/K4vNvJKWTS
— Red Bull South Africa (@RedBullZA) March 3, 2022
You can meet Yaseen Damon, the rest of the drifters, the judges, including Ready D, and soak up some of the rubber and adrenaline for yourself this year. If we're willing to drive, Durbanites and the rest of us will be able to get in on the tyre-screeching action live as spectators are invited. Tickets are on sale, and you can learn more through Red Bull South Africa's social media channels.
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