THE GAMES.
THE GAMES.
Three drivers must complete four drift challenges by precisely steering the BMW M4 Competition Coupé „Drift 25“ of BMW M Driving Experience Signature Series at the highest possible speed and with spinning tyres in a sideways motion to different points on the track without hitting any of the many obstacles – or to hit them, depending on the type of challenge.
THE REFEREES.
THE REFEREES.
British automotive influencer, presenter and content creator Becky Evans acts as the host and referee of the BMW M Games of Drift. The task receives prominent support from Elias Hountondji of the Red Bull Driftbrothers, ambassador for the fascination of ‘controlled oversteering’.
BMW M4 COMPETITION COUPÉ "DRIFT 25 ".
BMW M4 COMPETITION COUPÉ "DRIFT 25 ".
- High-Performance M TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder-engine
- Max. output: 375 kW (510 hp)
- 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds
- 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic
- Rear-wheel drive with Active M differential
- Livery designed by artist Andy Werner for the BMW M Driving Experience Signature Series
JOE ACHILLES.
JOE ACHILLES.
- Profession: Automotive Content Creator, International Petrolhead
- Passion: his BMW M2 Competition F87 and his BMW M5 Touring G99
- Best Funride: his test drive in the BMW M3 CS Touring
Joe, tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you, what do you do for a living and, of course, where does your passion for drifting come from?
Hey guys, I'm a full-time automotive YouTuber based in the UK. I love watching professional drifters like the Red Bull Driftbrothers, but I've never really had the opportunity to try it myself in a safe environment.
At the BMW M Games of Drift, we saw It wasn’t your first time drifting – how would you rate your level of drift experience?
I do 6-8 trackdays every year, this has certainly helped me understand the basics of car control, but actual drifting experience is minimal.
Drift Spiral, Donut Dunk, Proximity Game, Ball Tap Challenge – which of these tasks was the most challenging for you and why?
Haha, for both the Drift Spiral and Ball Tap challenge., my “drifting” ability and lack of practice meant I did really badly compared with Zandara and Rob.
And which one was the most fun?
I enjoyed the Proximity Game, think we all did well and got really close on our attempt.
How would you rate the difficulty level of the BMW M Games of Drift?
I haven't participated in any other drift events, I would definitely rate BMW M Games of Drift as extremely hard!
For a track tool, they handed you a BMW M4 Competition Coupé with 510 hp and Active M Differential – how does the car handle as a drift tool, and which of its driving characteristics do you particularly like?
The M4 Competition was a great car for the BMW M Games of Drift: radical, long wheelbase and plenty of power!
You own two BMW M models yourself. Can you tell us a bit about the cars, what you appreciate about them, and why you chose those rides?
I bought a manual M2 F87 Competition new in 2018 and still have it today. It has been modified to work better as a track car nowadays, I love it and will keep it forever. I recently traded in my M3 Touring G81 for the new M5 Touring G99, it's a good daily and our Labrador loves the boot space …
Which BMW M would you like to take on a drift challenge?
The new M3 CS Touring would be fun and look incredible going sideways.
ZANDARA "ZEE" KENNEDY.
ZANDARA "ZEE" KENNEDY.
- Profession: stunt woman, precision driver, automotive content creator
- Passion: sharing her dedication for drifting with others
- Best Funride: competing at Formula Drift
Zandara, tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you, what do you do for a living and, of course, where does your passion for drifting come from?
I am a professional, Stunt woman, Stunt Driver and Coordinator - I've had the privilege of working on a broad range of Tv and Film productions like Deadpool, X-Men, and fear the walking dead, as well as precision driving for many car commercials, meaning I've had the opportunity to tes and push cars from every major manufacturer.
I got into drifting as a part of training for stunt driving, which included race school, rally schools, stunt driving schools and, finally, drift training, where I fell fully in love and ended up quickly buying my own drift car, and eventually starting to compete, earning my formula drift pro-spec license, and competing in formula drift for two years.
At the BMW M Games of Drift, you clearly brought some drift experience to the track – is drifting simply a part of your everyday work as a stuntwoman, or is it a passion that you also pursue on your own time?
Drifting is a bit of an addiction for me - I'm lucky to be able to have considered my entire competitive career in drifting as "work training", but the reality is that drifting and drift culture is a big passion for me - I do my work on set to pay for tires and I love to share my passion with as many people as possible.
You started your drift driver career in 2019 and quickly achieved professional status, becoming the first Canadian woman to compete in Formula Drift in 2023. You have also launched numerous initiatives and programmes related to drifting. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
I think the world of motorsport can be intimidating for people that don't see themselves represented in the space, but I've found drifting in particular to be a very friendly and welcoming space, full of people that want to share their passion , and I wanted to share that experience and help as many people as possible fall love with drifting- I launched two initiatives during formula drift - the first was the "Women of Formula drift" tour, which invited women of all ages and backgrounds behind the scenes to learn more about the careers that might be available for them in motorsports and to meet women who were doing those careers and learn about their career paths as well as to connect with one another.
It was an excellent way to create community and what I learned was that there are many more women interested in motorsport, car culture and automotive aftermarket than one might think, and certainly more than companies and their marketing departments realize or acknowledge. Generally speaking, attendees of these tours each owned at least two cars and worked on them themselves. Many of these women are still in contact and have been a part of supporting one others further journeys into motorsport.
The second initiative that I launched was called "you are welcome to Formula Drift "and the purpose of this event was to create a VIP space to introduce members of the LGBTQ community to the world of Formula drift and to learn about it from me. This event, which was supported by some great partners, including Formula Drift, created a welcoming environment for existing drift fans and the drift curious alike, and I was able to teach attendees all about the rules of drifting, explain how it worked, give them a personal tour of my car and a track walk. Feedback from this event was also very positive, with many people saying it made them feel less alone, connected them with other LGBTQ+ Motorsport fans, and inspired them to get more deeply involved in drift fandom.
Great. Now, let’s talk about the BMW M Games of Drift: Drift Spiral, Donut Dunk, Proximity Game, Ball Tap Challenge – which of these tasks was the most challenging for you and why?
I found the Drift Spiral the most challenging because it was the first challenge we did and I'd had pretty limited time in the car with no practice of the challenge - I was actually feeling pretty great until I managed to shift the wrong way. It was a very cool experience, drifting this automatic BMW. It was challenging for sure to be missing two of the tools that I use frequently to adjust the car – handbrake and clutch – but the cars are so well balanced and have tons of power so they were a lot of fun and fairly predictable. I wish I'd had more time to drive them and I hope to get more time soon!
And which one was the most fun?
It's a tie between the Drift Spiral and the Ball Tap – obviously I like a challenge! And getting to smash a giant ball with a BMW is simply not something you get to do every day!
For a track tool, they handed you a BMW M4 Competition Coupé with 510 hp and Active M Differential – how does the car handle as a drift tool, and which of its driving characteristics do you particularly like?
The car is an incredible machine! Lots of power, and really well balanced – being a longer wheelbase car it's definitely something to contend with, but I love the power and the adjustability of the settings. I would definitely pick this as a daily driver that I have some spirited fun in the appropriate places with. Also, the drift mode is super cool!
Which BMW M would you like to take on a drift challenge?
I think I will need to try them all before I commit! Just let me know when and where!
ROBERT CAMERON.
ROBERT CAMERON.
- Profession: Automotive Content Creator, Creative Director, founder of Heel and Toe
- Passion: Drifting, Drifting, Drifting
- Best Funride: Fast Lap with his BMW M3 E46 on the Nürburgring Nordschleife
Robert, tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you, what do you do for a living and, of course, where does your passion for drifting come from?
I’m an adult who still plays with cars, but now in 1:1 scale instead of 1:43 like when I was a child. Though unfortunately, playing doesn’t quite pay the bills – so I am lucky enough to be creative director in an independent creative agency in the field automotive culture to the community. Alongside this I own a Brand & YouTube Channel called Heel and Toe, celebrating the purest form of driving.
At the BMW M Games of Drift, you clearly brought some drift experience to the track – how much work did you put in to get to that level?
In all honesty it’s nothing I ever intentionally put work into. It just grew on its own – beginning with sim racing after school (instead of doing homework), which gave the foundational instincts to then put to the test on real cars. I would say the biggest contribution has been to always owning rear wheel drive cars and practicing as much as I can.
Drift Spiral, Donut Dunk, Proximity Game, Ball Tap Challenge – which of these tasks was the most challenging for you and why?
The ball tap was definitely the most challenging. With changing corner radiuses, and having to intentionally hit a large object with the rear of the car goes against all natural instincts.
And which one was the most fun?
The drift spiral was super enjoyable – I mean, it’s like a kid’s dream to drift a massive spiral in real life. It required a lot of anticipation of how to place the car with a constantly changing corner.
You have already participated in many drift events – how would you rate the difficulty level of the BMW M Games of Drift?
It’s up there – from having to place a car very precisely and gently close to a wall, to throwing the car full force at a massive ball – multiple times. Definitely one of the most challenging but fun things I’ve ever done with 4 wheels.
For a track tool, they handed you a BMW M4 Competition Coupé with 375 kW (510 hp) and Active M Differential – how does the car handle as a drift tool, and which of its driving characteristics do you particularly like?
It’s like having a great dance partner - the communication the car gives you as a driver, of what it’s about to do is what I like the most. I mean it’s no secret that BMW M cars are natural born drifters, however it still is impressive how well the car works out of the box.
You own a BMW M3 E46 yourself. Can you tell us something about the car, what you appreciate about it, and why you chose that ride?
The E46 M3 holds a very special place in my heart. My particular one has been fully converted to a Nordschleife Tracktool – spending most of it’s time between Bridge and Gantry, and the occasional spirited countryside drive. Being a 90’s kid, it’s kind of my childhood poster car. To this day it has aged gracefully, with such a timeless design paired with a raw analogue no-nonsense driving experience.
Which BMW M would you like to take on a drift challenge?
I’m in love with the new M2 G87 – I think the short wheel base would make for a fun little drift-machine.
THE ART AND FUN OF DRIVING SIDEWAYS.
THE ART AND FUN OF DRIVING SIDEWAYS.
Drifting is fun, drifting is addictive. In the words of Elias from the Red Bull Driftbrothers: “As soon as you approach the first corner and put the car sideways, it goes ‘puff’!” For fans of spinning tyres, sliding rear ends and controlled oversteering, the BMW M Drift Academy offers numerous exciting experiences.
