Hankook Tyre are proud to announce their renewed partnership with the Prodrift Series for the 2008 season. As an official tyre partner to the Prodrift Irl Series, Hankook will build on a successful 2007 Series Partnership, working hand in hand with the Prodrift Series to deliver a comprehensive presence across all Prodrift events and activities.  As per 2007, Hankook will supply on site tyre changing facilities to the Prodrift field of competitors courtesy of their custom built articulated tyre service vehicle managed by a team of experienced motorsport tyre engineers. 
Gary Waugh, Motorsport Manager for Hankook said “Hankook recognise the Prodrift Series as one of the most professional in the world and are delighted to have such a close working relationship with the Series.”
Karl O’Sullivan, Prodrift added “we are delighted to extend our relationship with Hankook Tyre into our 2008 series. Hankook have shown unrivalled support for Irish drifting since 2006 and we wish them and their team all the best for another successful year as part of the Prodrift events.” 

It’s a cool Sunday morning in March as we pull into the crowded Mondello paddock. The area is swamped with mechanics and drivers doing final preparations for the first race day of the season. Just out of sight of the many Fiat Abarths, Lotus Exiges, Minis and Global GT Lights sits the unmistaken combination of electric yellow and baby blue of Prodrift Series Competitor Martin Ffrench’s 2008 Prodrift Series car. The yellow Nissan Silvia S14 with S15 headlight conversion sits indiscernibly amongst other entries to the first round of the Time Attack series. However, there is no drift demonstration planned here today and Motorsport Ireland takes a dim view on drifting or what they perceive it to be at least. Martin has brought his car here not to drift, but to time attack. To see what can a well setup drift car can do against the clock.

It is a common misconception that drift cars are setup to have the least amount of grip possible. If this were the case, it would be impossible for the drivers to do what they do, round in and round out of each Prodrift Series event. 100mph entries into turn two reversed at Mondello park would not be possible, rubbing the Rosebowl wall would only be fictitious and every run would end in spin after spin after spin. Some drivers religiously run the rear tires with zero camber, ensuring that there is full contact between the tire and the track. Not many drivers will reveal their exact setups and in most cases it won’t matter, as the cars are setup to personal preferences. It can be noted that most run negative camber on the front, for extra grip at the front mid drift.

It’s closing on 11a.m. when the Time Attack cars pull out for their first practise session. The pit wall starts to crowd with eager mechanics and assistants watching on, to see if their hard work from the hours, days, weeks and months previous will hold up. The yellow 14 waits behind the works EP Honda Civic of Brendan Stone as he pulls out of the pit lane. ‘Christ that fasts’ someone to my left observes. It was fast; it was the first time I questioned that maybe a drift car wouldn’t be competitive in a timed series. After all Martin was still running the same tires, let alone setup that he used to place second the previous weekend at the inaugural JDM Allstars event. Little over a minute passed before the Civic reappeared coming out of Dunlop, the last corner at Mondello, with a yellow Nissan lodged firmly behind it. It would be easy to get excited but that was only a warm up lap, how would Ffrench keep up when Stone opened the Civic up. It took only another minute to find out that Ffrench was still keeping into the Civic. Hopes were high as we returned to the paddock as the session ended.

Ffrench was a little unhappy about the lack of traction the car had. Due to the nature of the National circuit, it consists of mostly second and third gear corners. With 435bhp going through the rear tires, it was proving difficult to get grip coming out of corners. Two weeks earlier, Ffrench had taken part in a Trackday on the International Circuit, which he found to have more speed because of the faster corners. It was going to be a struggle to find the extra grip he needed.

For the second session, I picked up a spot at the end of Honda, gaining a perfect view down the main straight. It was a surreal experience to watch all these Abarths and other classes coming in two and three cars abreast into the first corner, really shuffling for positions. Sometimes it’s easier to be a snob and brush aside other motorsports as boring just because we are used to something else. It is this attitude that holds back motorsports in this country. Regardless if your first preference is drift, rallying or a grip series, everyone needs to support every motorsport here if we want it to continue to grow and expand. A true car nut will never turn down the experience of seeing a motorsport of any shape or form in the flesh.

As the Marshalls checked the track for any debris after the Saloon Car Challenge, the Time Attack cars once again waited to be released. Ffrench was second out the gate, manoeuvring the car viciously from side to side to get the tires up to temperature. Second lap round and the 14 came into view, getting hard onto the brakes, the back of the car was squirming. Through the viewfinder I could see the yellow tape on the steering wheel that indicates the wheels direction moving quickly from left to right before dropping out of view to my left as the 14 turned in hard right, easy on the power and back out wide before turning left and heading back out into the countryside. Lap three and he comes in nice and wide again, just inches from the grass, turns in right and the back steps out. He effortlessly applies some opposite lock and lets the car slide smoothly through the corner. The marshalls beside me are gobsmacked. ‘I was sure he lost it’ says one ‘That’s some serious car control’ says the other. It’s lap four and Ffrench has resorted to more natural ways of getting the tires sticky. He arrives into Honda, wider again and turns in hard, releasing the rear tires before powering on through second gear, smoking the two Works 18” wheels, before transitioning back and out into the countryside. A veil of tire smoke rises from above the ditch that obscures our view. The marshalls are in pure admiration of what just happened.

On returning to the pits, the bonnet of the 14 is up. ‘Its over for today lad’ he greets me. He points to a cracked exhaust manifold and shrugs. ‘After running 1.2bar for twenty minutes, I’m delighted to know that the weakest link gave up. At least the car can be readied in confidence for the first round next month. New exhaust manifold, new clutch and new box and she will be some weapon come April.’ Crowds of people are now gathering around the car they ignored all day until Ffrench demonstrated its potency. ‘The marshalls loved it!’ He exclaims, ‘I was coming into Dunlop getting a little crossed up. The first time they were just about to reach for the flags thinking I was gone but when I caught it and held it they were amazed. The next time around I was getting cheers and thumbs up from them. Savage!’ Talk reverberated around the paddock of the Wexford man who could get a car sideways like they had never seen before. The commentary team praised his professional level of drifting and his on track courtesy to other drivers.

Ffrench had left his mark on them. He even ran the car in the final session to record the fastest 2WD time of the day and a very respectable 5th overall. ‘I’m going to get the car sorted, some stickies on the back, maybe a 1.5 way diff and come back again and set some real pace.’

The Time Attack world has been warned.

Words & Photos by paddy@prodriftseries.com

For the third year in a row, Prodrift European Series will headline the Live Action Arena at the S.I.T.C.A exhibition hosted by Maxi Tuning Magazine Portugal. Travelling with some of Europes top drifting talent, the Prodrift team will once again perform to the capacity Potugese audiences visiting Portos Exponor venue.

Returning for his second year in a row will be Prodrift Champion Eric O’Sullivan driving his famous VTEC86 Corolla. Joining Flat Eric will be Prodrift Rookie of the year ,and 16 year old drift superstar James Deane (Nexen Tire Nissan Silvia S14A) as well as Team Hankooks number one Irish driver Alan Lenihan (Nissan Sillvia S13.5). With more exciting cars to be added to the line up, the 2008 prodrift spectacular at Porto will kick off the 2008 Prodrift European Season in style. For further information visit http://www.maxituning.com.pt/

2007 Prodrift Porto Demo

2006 Prodrift Porto Demo

Anyone who has previously attended Prodrift at Mondello will understand that the 1200 seater grandstand is always full by 11am.  To counteract this inconvenience, this year Mondello Park are selling reserved grandstand seats in advance. Online ticket agency Ticket Lord will now allow you to choose you seats in advance of the April 19/20th curtain raiser and enjoy the best in European Drifting from the comfort of your reserved space. Arrive late, wander around the pits and take your seat for what could be the greatest drift show ever staged in Ireland. For more information on ticket prices and online bookings visit the Mondello Park website, www.mondello.ie or www.ticketlord.com .

Name : Kenneth Moen
Age: 28
Home Town: Fetsund, Norway
Car: Nissan Sylvia S15 V8

Kenneth Moen is one of the most established drivers in the Prodrift European Series. Kenneth first met the Prodrift team at Silverstone in 2005 and has since represented PD in France, Germany, Holland, Spain, Ireland, Finland and of course his native Norway. During the last 2 years we have also seen Kenneth compete and drive some of the most spectacular cars in the Prodrift European Series. From his 2006 Sylvia S15 to the Sharifs R34 Skyline of 2007, Moens fleet of immaculate machinery have always been of the highest quality.

For 2008 competition Kenneth is preparing a very special Nissan Sylvia S15. Since he started building Japanese performance cars, Kenneth has always had to steer from the right hand side of the cockpit. In 2008, Kenneth, and his team of Norwegian spanner men, have transfered the controls to the more familiar left hand side which will give Moen a massive advantage in 2008 drift battles. We took some time out to ask Kenneth how this build has progressed and what he can expect to achieve with this one of a kind Sylvia.

PD. Where Did you get the shell for the new car?

KM I bought a complete car from Japan Auto in Norway. The car was from Tokyo originally.

PD When did you start working on the new car?

KM. I started on the car late 2006. The car was supposed to be raedy for the 2007 season, but we had to wait a long time for the shell to be acid dipped and when the car returned it was too late for 2007.

PD.What has been the most difficult part to create?

KM. I think the most difficult part was to choose the engine. I was first thinking about Lexus v8 with 2 turbos. Then we thought about an AMG V8 with Kompressor. These engines probably would have been more powerful but we eventually settled on the Chevy engine because it has no turbos no compressor and less problems. I think we can now get the reliability to drive a whole seson with no engine problems.

PD. What will make this car different from all the other S15’s?
KM. I think the big difference will be the engine. No turbo lag and big power from 1500rpm. The weight balance should be like a stock S15. The Engine is 20cm more back than the SR20 and the engine weight only 165kilo. And in this car I drive on left side offcorse;) when is the corect side for me hehe.

PD.Why Did you choose the V8?
KM.I was tired of broken SR20 engines, And turbo lagg of course. Its a really powerful engine when working from low rpm and its very reliable.

PD. What is the expected power/torque?
KM. Well it’s a 420 7.0 litre chevy aluminium engine with all racing parts. I think we get between 600-700bhp and 700nm Torque.

PD. Where are you looking forward to driving this car in 2008?

KM. I looking forward to drive everything with this car. Prodrift, Gatebil, Powerdrift and Nordic Drift Series. Most off all i like demos so I hope to continue to travel around Europe with Prodrift demonstrating to new crowds. I also want to do a 4 hour race with this car on nurnbergring if I get time.

Kenneth is now in the final stages of this build and we’ll keep you right up to date with the installation of the Chevy V8 prior to this car unleashing all 700 horses as part of the 2008 Prodrift European Series.

Cllick below for Kenneth Moen Video>>>>>>>>>

24 year old female drifter Deborah Lopez (Drift Angel) recently collected the prestigious Red Bull Young Star trophy at the international Racing Show Liege, Belgium.

Following a successful 2007 whch saw Deborah compete in numerous countries at high profile events and demonstrations, the Red Bull Young Star trophy was awarded to Spanish Drift Angel because of her dedication to drifting in the past and her commitment to improvement in the future. Furthermore, the commitment of Red Bull to top level motorsport adds credibility and stature to this award; a prize that no other Prodrift competitor has ever received.

Also on displsay at Liege was the first look at the new Xtreme Racing Parts Nissan that Deborah will once agaain compete in for 2008. With a new colour scheme, some cosmetic modifications and a very special engine en route from the USA, Deborah’s 2008 machine will be a completely different setup to what she has competed in previously.

 Speaking about her new award Deborah said :
“I’m really happy to receive this trophy as a RedBull young star. The past 2 years where very rough and getting a trophy like this is a great feeling and great reward for all the hard work.
RedBull is so respected in Xtreme sports and Drifting that I have to say this really is the best start that I can have for the 2008 season. With my new car being built like I want it, I will try and really battle hard this year. I’ll be pushing 110% for a high finish to the 2008 season, for my team Xtreme Racing Parts and also for all the female drivers and supporters“.

Deborah remains as Europes only female competitor in Prodrift and will be competing as part of the 2008 Prodrift European Series. With just two months to go before the season kicks off, drift fans can follow all of Drift Angels progress right here or alternatively check out: www.driftangel.eu or www.xrp.be  

As the 2007 drifting season came to a close, Korean tyre manufacturer, Nexen Tire Corporation, confirmed that they will enter the 2008 drifting market as a partner to Europe’s leading drift series, Prodrift.

Recently, at a high profile sponsorship signing ceremony held at Mondello Park Circuit outside Dublin, General Manager for Nexen Tire London Bong-Wan Lee and General Manager of Nexen Tire Europe John Bosco Kim met with members of Prodrift management and the drivers of the 2008 Team Nexen to confirm the details of this exciting 2008 drift programme.

Included as part of the 2008 partnership is a selection of high profile European drifting demonstrations as well as tyre support to a three-car team competing across both the Prodrift Irish and Prodrift European Series. The Prodrift team are now famous for their promotional and demonstration activities in Europe. From the Paris Tuning Show to DTM and major tuning festivals, Prodrift drivers regularly entertain motorsport and tuning audiences with spectacular live action drifting demonstrations. On top of these demonstrations Team Nexen will also compete as part of the most fiercely contested drifting leagues in Europe, the Prodrift Irish National Series and the new and international Prodrift European Series, which travels to Ireland, U.K, Sweden, Belgium and Finland and contains Europe’s best drift drivers and teams.

Making up the 2008 Team Nexen are three young, exciting and competitive Irish drivers with a proven track record in drifting competitions and international appearances. Leading the team is Europe’s newest drifting star and one of the youngest drift competitors in the world, 16-year-old James Deane. In 2007 James was awarded the Prodrift rookie of the year prize due to his amazing performances driving his Nissan Sylvia S14A and enters 2008 as a favourite for the Prodrift Ireland title as well as a contender for Prodrift European Series honours. Joining James Deane is another Irish talent, Dennis Healy. Dennis also scored highly in the 2007 Prodrift Series and will aim to improve on his 10th place finish to the 07 season. Finally, Miguel Marini will make up the third place in the 2008 Team Nexen. In 2007 Miguel travelled across Europe promoting the Prodrift brand & performing at events such as Paris Tuning Show, Galiexpo Spain, Tuner GP, DTM Zandvoort, Xtreme Drift Finland and Belgium and the Nurburgring 24hour. Awaiting delivery of a new car from Japan, Miguel’s inclusion as part of the team will guarantee high profile exposure of the Nexen Tire brand at Europe’s most exciting tuning and motoring festivals as well as branding on one of Europe’s most amazing drift cars.

For 2008, Team Nexen will compete on the Nexen N3000 tire, a product with proven event winning potential. In 2007 Prodrift Ireland Champion Eric O’Sullivan used the N3000 product to win 2 out of 6 Prodrift Championship events. Next Nexen Tire will launch N6000 at the beginning of 2008.

Commenting on the 2008 partnership agreement, Prodrift Sales & Marketing Director Karl O’Sullivan said “ We are delighted to partner with Nexen Tire Corporation for our 2008 activities. Nexen Tire is a progressive global organisation with a professional and exciting reputation, and products with a proven track record in drifting success. I am confident that with this strong team of drivers, for 2008 Nexen Tire will make an extensive impact on the European drifting scene. We look forward to welcoming Nexen Tire Corporation into our 2008 Prodrift events and are excited by the promotional partnership that will commence with immediate effect”.

Welcome to the new online hub for the Prodrift European Series. Here you will find all information relating to the events, drivers, teams, gossip, rumours and news releases concerning Europes premier drift league.

Over the coming weeks and months we will be busy adding new content and features to the site so please check back often for updates. Better again, please take the opportunity to register with us by entering your email address into the designated field at the top of the page and you will be guaranteed to receive all news, promotions, offers and information from Prodrift as it happens.

 If there is anything that you would like to see more of, less of or if you feel that you have a great drift story suitable for Prodrift please contact us with all the juicy details.

With just over 4 months until the official launch of the Prodrift European Series things are going to take shape rapidly. Ensure that you are first to hear about it all, right here, www.prodriftseries.com.

The Dutch have been driving sideways for some time now so it was inevitable that from this crop of talent a driver of particular significance would emerge. Hailing from Rotterdam is a young man with no fear, big power, great sponsors and an uncanny ability to laugh his ass off whilst pitching a DBM R34 Skyline Sideways at 100mph. We talk to Lennard Wanders about his experiences so far.

Name: Lenard Wanders
Date of Birth: 05-nov-1985
Hometown: Rotterdam, Holland
Website: www.lennardwander.nl

Car: Nissan Skyline ER34 GT-T
Engine: RB25DET
Transmission: Osgiken 5-speed
Year: 1998
Power: 510 BHP
Powerband: 3500rpm => 7500rpm

PD When did you first start drifting and why?:
L.W The first time I started drifting was about 3 years ago. When some friends from street racing came up with the idea to beat up some old sierra’s , and after a while someone came up with welding the diff… from that day on I got that disease , that I had to go sideways around every corner….

PD. Previously you drive the DBM Firenza R33 Skyline, how does the R34 Compare?:
L.W I had that R33 for 2 years and built it myself… I did stupid things to the car trying to make it better but I wasted too much money on stupid parts that I didn’t really need. The car was ok to drift and it was a nice car. After that DBM built the engine for it and the car was pretty good.
But that R34 is so much better in every way. DBM has a lot of experience in racecars so they are taking the drift car very seriously.

PD.What’s your favourite part of the R34?:
L.W The looks of the car, and the sound of the screaming external waste gate!

PD Explain why your car has the biggest spoiler in the world?:
L.W.hahaha, Mitto (UK Drifter) Olaf (Falken Team Mate) & I started the battle of the spoilers… and I won

PD This year you have competed and done some Prodrift demos, what were the best bits?
L.W The shows are always really cool and when you travel to countries like Spain and Portugal the spectators just go crazy for you. I could hear them above all the crazy sounds the driftcars make.

PD Who is your favourite Prodrift driver and car?
L.W Buttsy, he’s funny and really dumb at the same time…
And that Bee-R Skyline looks awesome!

PD Which Prodrift driver would you least like to battle – why?
L.W Eric O’Sullivan, he’s just to good with that Corolla… that car is so light with so much grip.. and then I come with my heavy tank skyline..

PD Which Prodrift Driver would you most like to battle – why?
L.W Miguel Marini in his BN Sports Supra, his car looks so crazy!! I would like to have some pictures twin drifting with him…

PD What in drifting always makes you laugh?
LW.Just everything (exept having a broken car)…
Travelling with the guys, making the show, going crazy in our ridiculous fast cars…
And the best thing about drifting, there’s no rules about BHP. If you want to put 3483bhp in the car it’s allowed. That puts a smile on my face.

PD What has been the funniest moment when travelling with Prodrift?
L.W The show in Porto at maxi tuning was the funniest…. Eric, Buttsy and I were walking around the Show in our race suits on the show.
I said to guys..: ‘it’s weird man.. People here think we are heroes … but we are just a bunch of monkey’s with racing suits doing stupid things with cars’…
Eric: “speak for yourself”
Buttsy: he almost died laughing

PD What was your Highlight of 2007?
L.W The event ‘’NIGHT FIGHT UK vs IRL,
It was supposed to be a big fight between the Irish an de English… but I knew the organizer and he invited me as well.. and brought my team mate Olaf with me also..
The first time for me competing with the UK and IRL guys!! Promised to be an awesome weekend.. hoping to end up in top 16…
After qualifing 14th a was a bit scared, scared of the Irish an English…
But yeah, when the battle starts the thinking go’s away and the will to win is there..
After sending 2 Irish guys home and even mr BonBon, I was in the final.. against Brett Castle..
And even Brett needed a re-run to win! Brett was awesome.. and I really happy with the 2nd place, and my team mate Olaf in 3rd place…….

PD What are your plans for 2008, events, car upgrades, travel?
L.W We keep working on the car.. DBM is building an RB28 for me @ the moment.. so in 2008 I should have about 700-800BHP, that should be enough to make some crazy smoke @ the PRODRIFT events!

PD What are you looking forward to the most about next season?
L.W Hanging out with all the crazy people of PRODRIFT, always good fun!

DBM Nissan Skyline R34, Specification

Engine modifications:
Greddy TD06 Single turbokit
Greddy Polished intakeplenum
Greddy Throttle adapter
Greddy #8 iridium
Greddy Billet Fuelrail
Greddy injectors 550cc
Greddy Timing belt
Greddy Airinx luchtfilter
Greddy Aluminium Radiator
Greddy Breathertank water
Greddy catchtank
Greddy twin oilcooler
Greddy waterpipe sensor kit
Greddy Type-R Dumpvalve
Splitfire coilpacks
Transmission:
Osgiken 5 speed Close ratio gearbox
Osgiken reinforced centre plate
Carbonetics Carbon twin plate clutch
Carbonetics 2 way Carbon LSD
Custom rear propshaft
GTR R32 rear Diff. conversion
4.4:1 Ratio differential

Suspension:
Tein tierod/ends
Tein Tension rods
Driftworks Front lowerarms
Driftworks Rear lowerarms
Cusco Rear Traction rods
Whiteline Rear upperarms
Whiteline upperbush
Whiteline swaybar V+A
Whiteline difflock bushings
Whiteline front camber bushes
Racing Logic complex Suspension

Braking:
Greddy 360mm 6 pot front brakes
Greddy 360mm 4 pot rear brakes
Racing logic Hydraulic handbrake
Willwood brake balancer
Driftworks line locker

Interior:
Defi BF Watertemperature
Defi BF Oiltemperature
Defi BF Oilpressure
Defi BF Fuelpressure
Defi Link meter Turbopres. 115mm
Defi Link meter Tacho 115mm black
Defi DF Indicator II
Defi Controlunit II
AEM air/fuelmeter
Blitz SBCIII boostcontroller
Apexi powerFC + commander
Sparco steeringwheel
Sparco EVO seat
Sparco 3″ harnass
Sparco seatmounts
ATL fuelcell
Wiechers rolecage
FIAA Carbon Batterycase
Fire exthinguisher

Sponsors:
Dbm engineering
Falken
Greddy
ceemo
wiechers
kosei wheels
de wild bestickering
TW Steel watches
Wim hofland
autostyle
whiteline
Racing logics
driftworks
silcolene
coronel
YamYam