Cooper Drift Team strive to grow the sport of drifting in Limpopo
Cooper Drift Team in Mokopane has been going all out to get the sport of drifting better known in the province.
POLOKWANE – Cooper Drift Team in Mokopane has been going all out to get the competitive sport of drifting better known in the province.
The team is made up of well-established drifters who have won many trophies and prizes over the years. The team also boasts one of the youngest drifters in South Africa, a 16-year-old, who started drifting when he was 14.
Dennis Palm, Cooper Drift Team representative, said their aim is to not only create awareness but to grow the sport in Limpopo. He added that they are planning to get tracks where they can teach those interested in the sport to drift.
At the moment, the majority of drifters are located in Mokopane and they need to travel once every month to take part in drift events held at the Rock Raceway in Brakpan.
“People should not confuse drifting with spinning… drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels or all tires, while maintaining control from entry to exit of a corner,” Palm explained.
He further said a car is drifting when the rear slip angle is greater than the front slip angle, to such an extent that often the front wheels are pointing in the opposite direction to the turn. Drivers are judged according to the speed, angle, showmanship and line taken through a corner and or set of corners.
Palm said people who want to join the team should have their own cars. “It takes a bit of time for one to master the sport. One should be patient and willing to learn in order to get to the top. Drifting is a bit dangerous as well that is why we encourage people to wear safety gear,” Palm concluded.
