What in the world?! Did someone drift a Mack truck?

J.A.
By J.A. Ackley
Oct 10, 2022 | BMW, Mazda, Nissan, Miata, Drifting, Nissan 350Z, Nissan Silvia, East10Drift, Mack Trucks

Photography by J.A. Ackley

A capacity car count celebrated East10Drift’s 10th anniversary show this past weekend at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. Among the event's many entrants included the LS-swapped BMW driven by recently licensed Formula Drift Prospec driver Connor O'Sully and … a Mack truck? Yes, you read that right.

If Nissan Z-cars are your thing, this show had plenty of them, such as this one wheeled by Kabott Cardoso. Many were LS-swapped, providing plenty of power to smoke the tires off the rear wheels.

Love JDMs? How about this Nissan Silvia steered by Kari Kitts.

Mazda Miatas get in on the action, too, such as this one.

The Rad Era imports were well represented by entrants like this Toyota Supra.

Bikes, such as the one that adorns this BMW 1 Series, make cars cooler, right?

Not everything has an LS under it. For those who clamor for the Blue Oval, this Nissan carries a Ford 302 powerplant, just like the Mustang has next door.

Here's a fine example of American Iron courtesy of Justin Napiera 1970s Chevrolet Monte Carlo powered by a traditional Chevy 350 small block running on alcohol.

What does Formula Drift Prospec engineering entail? Well, when the Nissan of Hooman Rahimi got hot, he went to the local home improvement store, grabbed some HVAC ducting material, and crafted this solution. He says the car now keeps as cool as the driver known by his team's name, "I'm only Hooman."

The event wasn't restricted to cars, either. Mike Morgan hauled this Mack truck around the course. More on the truck soon. 

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Comments
David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/10/22 1:50 p.m.

I can't remember if any photos were taken–this was in the '90s–but we once had both a Suburban and a Dually "autocorssing" at a test day. I put autocross in quotes because it was after we were done for the day.

As I remember, one of the trucks towed a race car to the day and the other was hauling a mobile dyno. I also remember lots of downed cones. 

JG, you were there, right? 

stafford1500
stafford1500 GRM+ Memberand Dork
10/10/22 3:23 p.m.

Years ago at the Martin autocross, we did a night event and a Ford 250 or 350 series did quite well. Mostly because he had A LOT of light on the roll bar and could actually see where he was going.

slefain
slefain UltimaDork
10/10/22 4:03 p.m.

I remember the Bandag Bullet tossing it sideways:

03Panther
03Panther PowerDork
10/10/22 9:31 p.m.

I once saw an article on Semi - Truck Ice Racing in Europe. That requires some mad smoooooth skill. 
Yes, I took my first tractor to a big parking lot in the snow, and did a few donuts. Big fun. 

bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter)
bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
10/10/22 9:43 p.m.
03Panther
03Panther PowerDork
10/10/22 10:04 p.m.

In reply to bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) :

It's been said of me, that I have big brass ones. But I know my limitations!!!

Thats one way wicked build!!!

bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter)
bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
10/10/22 11:29 p.m.
bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) said:

Drifting in a parking lot is a lot more forgiving than doing Pikes Peak in a truck.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjvnZmAhdf6AhXGAzQIHab8DBQQwqsBegQICxAF&url=https%3A%2F%2Fm.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpUM-YNHdZWM&usg=AOvVaw1JsXDJMUcRSHIEIT7xJYLB

 

The complete in cab footage of the run is on Youtube somewhere and he is visibly shaky when he is done. As I would be. A narrow road must seem like a ribbon in a vehicle twice the size.

racerfink
racerfink UberDork
10/10/22 11:51 p.m.

'Drifting' a city bus can't be all that easy. Notice the water on the road to help ease the back end around.

fidelity101
fidelity101 UberDork
10/11/22 9:29 a.m.

In reply to bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) :

I was up there for pikes peak that year seeing him and Seb Leob was AWESOME!

Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter)
Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
10/11/22 11:02 a.m.
racerfink said:

'Drifting' a city bus can't be all that easy. Notice the water on the road to help ease the back end around.

That looks like a Detroit bus.  This a scene from Beverly Hills Cop?

Wally want to weigh in on bus drifting?

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