THINGS are expected to go sideways at the Pier 1 parking lot in Montego Bay, St James, as the Racezone Plaza Drift series takes over the venue on Saturday, May 14. Action is set to begin at 7:00 pm.

“The Racezone Plaza Drift series is the amalgamation of the most successful dexterity and drift event organisers,” Dean Corrodus, co-organiser, told the Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine.

While drifting has been part of local motorsports in one form or the other, it has never had an official series until now. According to Corrodus, the practice of the Montego Bay Motoring Club (MBMC) wetting down their dexterity events to equalize front- and rear-wheel drive competitors became a popular formula copied by other dexterity events. In addition, the MBMC was able to move dexterities into more urban confines, increasing spectators.

“Out of this came the club’s signature Wet ‘N Slide events,” said Corrodus.

One such known event has been the Slippery Wen Wett series held in Pines Plaza, Junction, St Elizabeth, by fellow organiser Kingsley Scott and the even more recent Farmkhana series, spearheaded by Ian Wright and Marcus Barnes.

“The individual promoters have decided to pool their talents and resources to stage an explosive series of entertaining and competitive events,” Corrodus said.

At the opening round in April in St Elizabeth, Montegonian drivers swept the podium, with Nicholas Barnes, Cleve Ottey and Chris John Addison completing the trifecta. For round two at Pier 1, they all have a home court advantage and intend to put themselves on the top step and get in enough practice for the very important third round.

Corrodus explained that there will be nine events for the year. However, the third round scheduled for Catherine Hall Stadium in June is part of the international Red Bull Car Park Drift series, which is making its debut in the Western Hemisphere after being started in 2015 across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and South Africa.

“The winner of the Jamaican leg of the Red Bull Car Park Drift will represent the island in the world finals to be held this year in Saudi Arabia scheduled for November 30,” Corrodus said.