Drifters are coming back into town

The drifters are coming to New Plymouth.

Not the musical group of the 60s and 70s, but the tempo will be right up there.

Thirty-five drifters from around New Zealand and Taranaki will have their pedals to the metal as they race their cars around the Centennial Dr circuit in New Plymouth tomorrow.

Drifting is basically a controlled slide around a corner.

"It's the art of sideways driving," said Taranaki Car Club president Keith Finnerty, of New Plymouth, this week.

"The car club has traditionally been into events like rallying and hill climbing. But with more and more young guys getting into drifting, we put on an event in New Plymouth last September. It was a huge success."

Three-time New Zealand drifting champion Carl Rudiman, of Pukekohe, is among the starters, as is Tauranga's Cole Armstrong and North Shore's Curt Whittaker.

Both Armstrong and Whittaker are regular top-five competitors at national events.

An interesting starter is former Crusty Demons bike rider Luke Smith, of Auckland, who has swapped back flips for burning rubber.

Heading the Taranaki list of drivers are Hawera's Mark Burling and New Plymouth's Chris Trundle.

Racing starts at 10am, with an expected finish time of 4pm.

- © Fairfax NZ News