As local drifting continues to evolve, Kar Kraze hoped to capitalise on its rising popularity when it held the Car Show & Drift Exhibition on Sunday, October 27, at Vernamfield, Clarendon.

“I wanted to see if I could blend a car show and a drift event together. I also didn’t want to make it a drift competition, so that everyone could come out and show their skills,” co-organiser Jelani McFarlane told the Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine.

The changeable weekend weather saw rain put a pause on activities, but by mid-afternoon it had played to their advantage. Patrons were greeted with cool weather, instead of the usual Vernamfield heat, allowing them to browse the constantly arriving convoys of vehicles.

All were welcome to showcase their machinery, and those bearing more confidence could enter into one of the many categories, from Best Engine Bay to Crowd Favourite.

Cars moved orderly to the judging cage and were visually poured over by several judges while being informed by event host Sami Joe.

For those wanting a bit more interaction, the drift exhibition took place on the drag strip, leading to plenty of high-speed and tandem drift action. It was an abundance of stars of sideways as former and current Red Bull Car Park Drift champions Nicholas Barnes and Cleve Ottey were present alongside local Slippery Wen Wett series winner Sheldon Johnson.

“I’m happy with how the event went. It took a lot of effort to execute it living overseas, but I hope to make it an annual event as it grows,” said McFarlane.

— Rory Daley