Just a couple of drifters

Azrina and Ariff say the sport demands nerves of steel and lightning reflexes

THE roar of the souped-up Nissan 180SX is deafening as it thunders at high speed through a marked course in the empty car park and just when you think it is veering out of control, the driver manoeuvres it into a controlled sideways slide, raising a huge cloud of dust and smoke along the way.

The smell of burning rubber is intense. The car comes to an abrupt halt and as the smoke and dust settles down, the driver, pint-size Azrina Jane Abdullah, steps out.

“That was exhilarating,” she says as she catches her breath. Sporting a healthy tan, Azrina removes her helmet and shakes loose her hair that is tied in a pony tail, wiping the sweat off her brows.

“I’m on the roll and I can keep doing this again and again. It’s a healthy form of addiction,” she says, flashing a megawatt smile. The Penang-born mother of an 18 month-old daughter is the only female drift driver in Goodyear’s team of four. The others are her husband Ariff Johanis, Michael Gan and Johan Norman.

The team will compete against more than 50 participants from across the Asia Pacific region for the Goodyear Formula Drift Malaysia title to be held on December 19 and 20.

The youngest of four siblings, Azrina, 32, a semi-professional drift driver for the past three years, was introduced to the sport by her husband.

“I got her in as my co-driver but she was dying to get into the driver’s seat when she realised how exciting the sport was,” says Ariff, 39, who has been a semi-professional drift driver since 2002. He races in a Nissan Silvia S13

“Initially I was a bit apprehensive but once I got the hang of it, I began to enjoy it. What I find most challenging is that my driving skills are put to the test at all time. To control your high powered machine, you really need nerves of steel and lightning reflexes,” says Azrina who enjoys outdoor sports – the rough and tumble kind of games, as she calls it.

“But once you have mastered it, you’ll find this a thrilling sport. I’d encourage more women to take it up if they are into motor racing.”

Formula drift racing, Azrina is quick to tell you, is considered the safest of all motorsports. Drifting is often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

Her modified car has all the standard safety features necessary so she isn’t afraid that she may lose control of the car and seriously injure herself.

“You are racing in a controlled environment. You are judged on execution and style and how you control and manoeuvre the car to the limits of the tyre traction, rather than who finishes in the fastest time. That’s the beauty of the sport,” says Ariff who took third placing in the Formula Drift Singapore ProAm Series 2009 in July, the first leg of the three part Formula Drift Series. The second leg of this series will be held in Thailand in early November.

Azrina and Ariff admit that the sport can be expensive. “The tyres are the killer. It’s unbelievable the number of tyres we wear out in a day or two during practices,” says Ariff who used to spend more than RM3,000 a week just to replace tyres.

“With two of us racing, you can just image the dent it makes in our finances,” adds Azrina. So it is a relief now that Goodyear is sponsoring them for the races.

The couple met in 2002 on the race track when Azrina, then a local television sports reporter, was covering a motorsport event. They now run their own business, dealing in car components and accessories, as well as conduct classes for those interested in drifting.

“We have a good mix of students – young, old, retirees, guys, girls, executives, non-executives. Our youngest student is 15,” says Ariff who learned to drive when he was still a minor.

Their work schedule is so tight that they’ve not had the time to go on a proper holiday. “Holiday? What holiday? I am still waiting to go on our honeymoon!” says Azrina.

Between them, Azrina and Ariff have 11 cars, the oldest being a 1963 first generation model Nissan Skyline. “I love collecting old models and yes, they are all in good working condition – 100 per cent road-worthy,” says Ariff with pride.

Where are the cars kept?

“All over the place – three in our driveway, some at my parents’ place, his parents’ place and some with a couple of friends.”

When the couple aren’t preparing for a race or conducting drift classes, they spend time with their daughter as well as pursue their respective interests. Azrina is into fixing broken toys, appliances and even computers while Ariff prefers to practice his guitar skills.

“She is a champion at fixing broken things,” he says.

Will they be introducing their daughter to drifting? “No reason why we would deny her that pleasure. Certainly when she is old enough we will introduce her to the sport but whether she will take to it is entirely up to her. Right now she loves her car rides, arms and legs kicking in the air and cooing with delight whenever we put her in the family car for a weekend drive,” says Azrina.

Ariff has a piece of advice for those wanting to get into Formula drift-racing. “As with any other motorsport, it’s about getting as much feel as possible. Get a good instructor and learn the right techniques.

“It’s very important that you keep it off the streets and main roads. It’s good to start slow with some cones and doing circles – two cones and a figure eight and move on to 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear. Oh yes, and a good set of tyres too will help,” he says.

Ariff says that many road tragedies can be avoided with a little self-control. “If you want to drift, do so in the safest environment possible – on the track or in an empty parking lot. Traffic tickets are expensive and life is precious.”