Alongside the release date announcement, fresh gameplay footage gives us another exciting look at what’s coming to mobile platforms.

PC, Xbox, and PlayStation fans will have to wait a little longer as we’re still waiting on an official release date for these.

If you want further information on the game, be sure to take a look at our in-depth CarX Drift Racing 3 guide, which gives you everything you need to know about the upcoming release.

For now, let’s take a look at what we’re treated to in the latest reveal trailer, teasing what we’ll get to enjoy when the official December 5 release date arrives:

The clip opens with an intense tandem battle between a widebody Nissan Silvia 180SX S13 and a MKIV Toyota Supra.

The attention to detail is immediately apparent, with the Supra’s anti-lag system spitting out flames as both cars line up at the start, surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

We also get further confirmation of the legendary Ebisu Circuit Complex being in the game, showcasing the iconic entrance and area map, suggesting we’ll get access to all seven tracks within the complex:

• Minami: The legendary South Course, famous for its challenging jump
• Nishi: The technical West Course
• Kita: The North Course
• Higashi: The East Course
• Drift Land: Dedicated drift circuit
• School Course: Training facility track
• Touge: Mountain pass
• KuruKuru Land: A skid pad typically used for practice and testing

Alongside Ebisu, the game will feature various other locations, including the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Dominion Raceway, Kami Road, ADM Raceway, and an all-new custom track creator feature.

In the next scene, a widebody Nissan Silvia S15 appears before launching itself over the famous Minami jump – a piece of drifting history that sadly no longer exists in real life.

The sequence ends with the all-too-common sight of the S15 meeting the concrete wall, showing off CarX Drift Racing 3’s incredible new damage modeling system.

Unsurprisingly, the environment variety looks promisingly varied, with the next scene shifting to rural Japanese “Kami Road” streets lined with cherry blossom trees and traditional architecture.

Next, a clean Toyota Mark II JZX81, sitting on what appear to be Work Emotion Kiwami wheels, touches onto the street drifting and touge features by heading out for some streeto.

The trailer closes with a modern tandem battle between a Subaru BRZ (or Toyota GR86) and a new Ford Mustang at ADM Raceway, a track well-known in the Russian Drift Series (RDS). Both cars sport aggressive widebody kits and serious angle mods while going door-to-door.

We’re more hyped than ever for CarX Drift Racing 3, and you can download it on the Google Play Store or iOS App Store on December 5, 2024.

Thanks to the CarX team’s typical short-notice announcements, there’s not long to go! If you wish to keep up-to-date with the latest CarX announcements, head to the CarX Technologies official website.

The post CarX Drift Racing 3 Set For December 5 Release Date first appeared on Drifted.com.

In recent years, CarX revolutionized the drift game landscape as we know it, establishing itself as the go-to arcade drifting simulator for enthusiasts seeking a more focused, track-based experience without the steep learning curve of realistic simulators like Assetto Corsa.

The original CarX Drift Racing mobile game amassed over 30 million downloads, paving the way for CarX Drift Racing Online, which debuted on Steam for PC players in 2017. The game later expanded to Xbox and PlayStation consoles in 2020, with a Nintendo Switch release in 2021.

While mobile gamers have enjoyed a variety of new titles from CarX Technologies in the meantime, including CarX Racing 2, CarX Highway Racing, CarX Rally, and CarX Street, PC, and console players have been limited to CarX Drift Racing Online, eagerly awaiting a new installment.

True to form, CarX Technologies is building suspense by slowly teasing information about what CarX Drift Racing 3 will offer, much to the frustration of impatient fans who often joke that GTA 7 will arrive before the new CarX game.

For those unfamiliar with the series, CarX Drift Racing Online offers an experience comparable to Forza Horizon 5, focusing on track-based drifting rather than the open-world offering of FH5.

Many fans argue that CarX provides a more authentic drifting experience of the two. Its impressive physics engine balances realism and accessibility, which also makes it more convenient and often more enjoyable to jump in and shred tires than hardcore drifting simulators.

Recent developments have revealed exciting new details about CarX Drift Racing 3. The team promises to build on its predecessors’ success with improved graphics, enhanced physics, and many incredible new features.

As CarX Technologies continues to push the boundaries of drifting games, here’s what’s (hopefully) coming soon. It’ll certainly be worth waiting for if they deliver on their promises! Here’s everything we know about CarX Drift Racing 3 so far.

Release Date & Platforms

CarX Drift Racing 3 will be released on iOS and Android devices on December 5, 2024.

The announcement on November 22, 2024 maintains CarX Tech’s tradition of short-notice reveals, mirroring their approach with CarX Street. Not that we’re complaining!

What’s up, drivers!

We are happy to announce, that CarX Drift Racing 3 launches on iOS and Android on December, 5!

The wait is almost over!https://t.co/XzDSMxWMIQ

— CarX Technologies (@carx_technology) November 22, 2024

Along with the release date announcement, the team also delivered this stunning gameplay teaser, showcasing the game’s visuals and physics in action:

Although mobile versions are coming shortly, the game’s console and PC release dates are yet to be confirmed. However, it brings optimism that they’ll soon begin shifting towards these following the mobile releases.

The CarX Tech team initially announced CarX Drift Racing 3 in October 2023. Since then, they teased the fans with slow trickles of new updates, keeping the drifting community on the edge of their seats.

Platforms

When CarX Drift Racing 3 arrives, the team confirmed it will be released on multiple platforms:

• Mobile (iOS and Android) – Confirmed, arriving December 5, 2024.
• PC – Confirmed, expected to follow shortly after mobile
• Consoles – Confirmed, expected to be the last to receive the game

CarX Drift Racing 3 will again be free to download and play on mobile devices. Pricing for PC and console versions is yet to be announced.

Mods, Upgrades & Tuning

CarX Drift Racing Online is already renowned for its simple yet in-depth tuning system, but CarX 3 is set to take customization to a whole new level. The developers have significantly reworked and expanded the tuning system, making it more comprehensive than ever before.

This video shows you what you can expect to see within the tuning menus. Note: We recommend turning the sound off for the video. You’ll soon see why!

One of the most exciting new features is the ability to change out individual components, compared to the previous “all-at-once” approach. Based on the previews, this extends to just about every aspect of the car:

• Body Panels – Swap out specific parts, such as individual fenders, roof, and trunk
• Interior – In-depth restructuring, including the option to manually remove rear seats and upgrade front seats
• Bash Bars – Customize specific parts of front, side, and rear bash bars
• Mirrors – Replace individual mirrors, allowing for different styles or mirrors on just one side

Weight reduction enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that you can experiment by running your car with body parts removed. This feature may also tie into the game’s damage system, which we’ll discuss shortly, potentially allowing you to eliminate repair costs for body and paint damage during practice.

The paint booth also gets a significant upgrade with plenty of new features:

• Color Sliders – Access every color imaginable
• Individual Part Painting – Repaint specific components like bash bars or individual body panels
• Chassis Customization – Paint the chassis a different color from the body

The customization improvements also extend to the visual aspects, with significantly enhanced 3D models of cars and individual parts. The developers have even utilized laser scanning technology to create highly accurate engine models based on real prototypes.

Based on what we’ve seen from these early teasers, CarX Drift Racing 3 is expected to offer one of the most comprehensive and detailed vehicle customization systems in any racing (especially drifting) game to date, allowing the creation of truly unique vehicles.

Revolutionary Damage System

CarX Drift Racing 3 is set to introduce a groundbreaking realistic car damage feature to the series, offering a level of detail and realism previously unseen in the drift game scene.

They dropped this car damage demo, which got fans excited about what’s to come:

Before taking things up a notch for the second demo:

As you can see, the damage model looks insanely detailed and satisfying. Unlike many racing games where damage is often superficial or non-existent due to licensing restrictions, CarX Technologies is free to push the boundaries of realism due to the use of fictional recreations rather than licensed real-world cars.

From what we’ve seen, the damage system reminds us of physics-based games like BeamNG.drive or Wreckfest, known for their hyper-realistic vehicle deformation. In CarX Drift Racing 3, we can expect destroyed (and hopefully exploding fiberglass) body panels and progressive damage that worsens with repeated impacts. The damage will also likely affect vehicle performance, adding depth to single-player and multiplayer modes.

We’re most excited to see how this plays out in tandem battles, where the intensity will likely increase. It’d be great if a slight miscalculation could result in visible and performance-altering damage, maybe even providing the option of going to extremes with the ability to total your car. This could also mean players would need to balance aggressive driving with the potential cost of repairs. If this is the case, you’d need to manage your finances to keep the showroom-fresh vibes or bear the battle scars. We’re just hoping, at this point, though, and this isn’t confirmed.

While the damage system looks incredibly promising, such detailed destruction has previously caused controversy in the gaming industry. Developers faced potential lawsuits from car manufacturers concerned about the portrayal of their vehicles. However, with CarX using fictional cars, we hope this gives them the necessary creative freedom in this area, as it’ll be a huge victory for the fans.

Gameplay Engine Improvements

With a significant physics engine overhaul, CarX Drift Racing 3 is set to deliver a leap forward in gameplay mechanics and visuals, providing more realistic car behavior with improved weight transfer, tire grip simulation, and suspension dynamics.

Road 3.0 Feature

“Road 3.0” provides a significant advancement in replicating real-world surfaces. It uses an insane level of detail and takes into account minor bumps and deviations that will affect vehicle handling and grip levels.

Players can also expect to encounter varying levels of road deterioration, such as a blend of old and new asphalt patches on the previously repaired rural mountain roads, adding even more unpredictability and realism.

Combined with the new weather features we’ll discuss shortly, this could make the game more challenging and exciting than ever.

Audio Enhancements

The development team is also working hard to update the game’s audio, including improved engine sounds. Details are currently limited, but they’ve promised to provide more information soon.

Fresh Game Modes

CarX Drift Racing 3 will offer the biggest selection of game modes of any CarX game to date. Here’s what we’ve seen so far.

Single-Player Campaigns

The game features five distinct campaigns dedicated to a specific drifting era, providing variety while educating gamers on the history of drifting.

1980s: Time Attack Campaign

This focuses on learning basic car handling and touge runs, mirroring the real-life practices of the era. Drift is not a requirement at this point, as the races are more like classic touge runs you’d expect to see on a Hot Version DVD than typical modern tandem drifts. Players will experience time attack challenges in the style of legendary driver Keiichi Tsuchiya, offering a taste of drift culture’s early days.

1990s: Time Attack & Drift Campaign

The 90s campaign represents the transition period from touge runs to more specialized drifting, teaching drifting fundamentals with mixed challenges focusing on both speed and drift techniques, reflecting the evolution of the sport during this decade.

2000s: Early Drift Campaign

As you enter the 00s campaign, you’ll encounter more specialized drift challenges. This era marks a significant shift towards drifting as a distinct motorsport discipline, with the recognizable Team Orange vibes.

2010s: Advanced Drifting Campaign

This will further advance your drift techniques, reflecting the rapid evolution in the modern era and providing increasingly complex challenges to test your mastery of advanced drifting skills.

Top 32 Championships

This multiplayer mode allows players to compete against AI-controlled “ghosts” of other players. Implementing AI solves several issues in previous games, such as waiting times and unsportsmanlike behavior, which was a common problem.

It also introduces skill-based matchmaking and individual objectives, ensuring that every race is unique and challenging.

Enhanced XDS Judging System

The XDS (judging system) has been completely reworked to align with real-world drift competition criteria. Runs are judged based on trajectory, angle, and style. For tandem runs, the system also considers the distance of the chase run and how well the chaser follows the leader.

Fan System

Players accumulate fans as they progress through the game. The number of fans determines access to certain game locations and influences the quantity and quality of sponsorship opportunities.

Unlike previous games, fan count doesn’t directly affect race rewards, but reaching certain fan milestones provides instant rewards such as currency, cars, engines, or access to new locations and mechanics.

Contracts

Players receive rewards for completing contracts, with specific terms defined by skill level, sponsor relations, and fan count.

These contracts can include requirements like using specific cars, racing on particular tracks, or setting new records. Like in the real world, failure to meet contract terms can damage your reputation, affecting future offers.

Car Market

The game introduces an innovative Car Market feature in the series. As seen in other games, this allows you to buy and sell cars, potentially allowing you to get your hands on some unique builds at a bargain price, which can be super useful for those just getting started.

Buying & Selling Cars

Auto dealers will set a base price for each vehicle based on its overall condition, including mileage, wear and tear, and any modifications or tuning setups applied.

When selling a car, players can adjust the asking price. However, the pricing decision will impact how quickly the deal is closed. Setting a price too high might result in a longer wait for a buyer, while a more competitive price could lead to a quicker sale.

Custom Search Filters

Car Market includes custom search filters allowing you to narrow your search based on specific criteria to find the most ideal offers.

Used Car Parts

The team confirmed they’re considering expanding the market to include separate parts, but nothing definitive has been announced yet.

Tire Improvements

Visual & Wear Mechanics

There’s now a completely redesigned, realistic wear system. As you’d see in the real world, new tires have a sticker that wears off after the first few meters of use. Over time, the tires become increasingly worn, eventually exposing the cords and providing next to no grip. We’re also hoping it’ll lead to total blowouts!

Tire Replacement System

The tire auto-replacement mechanic is retained from the previous game but refined. In competitive modes like Top 32 battles, tire changes are only available before the first race, mirroring real-life drift competitions. In non-competitive modes, automatic tire changes occur during races based on a player-set percentage.

Customization Options

You’ll now have the flexibility to install different tires on different wheel axles, allowing for more nuanced vehicle setups. Additionally, basic tires are always available in unlimited quantities, ensuring players are never left without options.

Dynamic Time & Weather

In a move reminiscent of Assetto Corsa EVO’s plans, CarX Drift Racing 3 is set to introduce dynamic time and weather for the first time.

While details are still scarce, fans hope the game will include a variety of weather conditions, including snow. The possibility of snow tires and icy tracks has sparked excitement among the community, with many dreaming of recreating scenarios from Drift Hunters MAX or the real-world “Gatebil on Ice” events.

This feature has the potential to keep the game fresh and challenging, no matter how many times you’ve drifted a particular track. It requires you to adapt your drifting techniques to the changing conditions throughout a race or event.

Car List

CarX Drift Racing 3 will launch with 30 cars, and there are plans to add more after release. Each vehicle will look, sound, and feel brand new.

You’ll now be able to own multiple copies of the same car model in your garage, allowing you to create builds tailored to specific tasks or events.

There are expected to be several new additions that aren’t featured in the current game, including the Nissan 400Z.

During one of their many Q&A sessions, the CarX Tech team confirmed no plans to include SUVs, trucks, or off-road vehicles.

Tracks & Locations

It’s no secret that CarX focuses on delivering a track-based experience rather than an open-world environment. However, CarX 3 introduces an in-depth track creator feature, allowing you to design custom circuits for the first time in the series.

Currently, the game features several confirmed locations, all looking more stunning and in-depth than ever.

Ebisu Complex, Japan

This iconic drifting venue is best known for the legendary Minami circuit called the “Drift Stadium” in the game. As in the real world, the Complex offers multiple layouts and lesser-known circuits for drift fans to enjoy.

Kami Road, Japan

A reimagined version of a legendary CarX location, Kami Road once again brings the touge mountain roads of Japan while significantly expanding its size and detail. New points of interest include a radio station, an abandoned gas station, a toll booth, and a Japanese village at the mountain’s base. It’s also filled with traditional details like cherry blossom trees, Japanese road signs, and views of pagodas.

Nürburgring, Germany

The world-famous track known for hosting the real-world “Nürburgring Drift Cup” brings a taste of European motorsport, offering a variety of challenging sections perfect for high-speed and technical drifting.

Dominion Raceway, USA

Although it’s one of the lesser-known US tracks for drifting, it has welcomed drifting in the past with the likes of “US Drift Shootout” events.

ADM Raceway, Russia

Located near Moscow, ADM Raceway regularly hosts RDS GP drift competitions, and it’s been recreated with high attention to detail. Since the CarX team is based in Russia, they were able to use extensive photo and video data, laser scans, and personal visits to ensure accuracy.

With all these incredible improvements and new features, alongside what we’re sure will be plenty more announcements yet to come, it should be easy to see why we feel CarX Drift Racing 3 is shaping up to be a drift enthusiast’s dream. We cannot wait to get our hands on the PC and console versions!

While you wait, why not check out the free-to-play Drifted-exclusive browser game Drift Hunters MAX?

The post CarX Drift Racing 3 – Latest News And Release Date first appeared on Drifted.com.

Chatting with Chris Forsberg, Nate Hamilton, and Tj Hunt, LZ dives into his 2024 season, which saw him competing at the highest levels on both sides of the Atlantic.

His Formula DRIFT campaign proved particularly successful (despite tire firing at nearly every round and writing off his E36), where he secured podium finishes at Englishtown and Seattle before claiming fifth overall in the championship standings. Given that he was one of the few drivers to compete in both series, Forsberg was curious to know how the two stack up in comparison.

LZ immediately explains the technical differences between Formula DRIFT (FD) and Drift Masters Grand Prix (DMGP.) One of the most significant contrasts lies in tire differences, where they discuss sizes, compounds, and weight. This led LZ to develop a specialized BMW E36 for Europe’s DMGP series, focusing on extreme weight reduction through titanium hardware and a simplified engine setup rather than chasing maximum power.

Weight plays a crucial role in the series’ differences, with DMGP cars typically weighing around 2,500-2,600 pounds compared to FD’s 2,800-3,000+ pound machines. Due to the difference in engineering approaches required for each series, LZ explains that his European-spec E36 weighs approximately 400 pounds less than his FD vehicle.

LZ then discusses the atmosphere at DMGP events, which carry a more “grassroots feel,” which he describes as a blend of FD with a mix of Clutch Kickers. This resonated with Forsberg, who noted similarities to FD’s early days in 2004. The European series retains a strong sense of community, with local drivers often becoming essential resources for visiting teams in each country.

His historic European performance this year, becoming the first American to achieve significant success in DMGP, demonstrated his ability to adapt to both racing environments. However, Adam admitted favoring Formula DRIFT for the on-track experience while appreciating DMGP’s off-track atmosphere more when pressed about his preferences between both series.

The discussion highlighted the evolving landscape of professional drifting as DMGP makes bold moves like constructing a temporary drift layout in a 58,500-seater stadium for their final round. Meanwhile, Formula DRIFT remains much the same year-on-year.

The presence of top drivers like James Deane, Conor Shanahan, and Adam LZ competing in both series suggests a growing intersection between American and European drifting scenes.

Forsberg’s evident interest in the European series’ approach has fueled rumors about whether some of FD’s veterans might consider expanding their horizons to include DMGP in the future.

With his 20-year career in Formula DRIFT and recent vocal criticisms and frustrations of the series, combined with DMGP’s innovative approach to venues and competition formats and with him mentioning the stagnation of FD in comparison, along with the recent loss of Irwindale, could Forsberg potentially be eyeing up a visit to the European series?

If you missed what we’re referring to with Chris Forsberg‘s criticisms and frustrations this year, make sure you check out this video:

While nothing is confirmed, his keen interest in DMGP provides hope for a possible future European campaign. It’d certainly be interesting to see how he’d stack up with the different approaches to competition drifting across the pond after 20 years in FD!

The post Adam LZ Compares Formula DRIFT Vs Drift Masters first appeared on Drifted.com.

We’re delighted to announce the recently released significant update to the latest version of the Drifted exclusive Drift Hunters MAX game on 11/18/24.

With the update came many brand-new, highly requested features, such as:

• Open-world free-roam with AI traffic
• Mobile compatibility
• Cross-platform progress syncing
• Free Drift Attack mode for all users
• Improved loading times

If you’ve been experiencing any issues since the release, we’re hoping that the following questions will resolve any problems that may arise after the initial rollout of the update.

Drift Hunters MAX won’t load

In this case, you need to delete your browser cookies for drifted.com. To do this, you can follow the video or the written step-by-step process below.

VIDEO: Clearing your browser cookies at Drifted.com

STEP-BY-STEP: Clearing your browser cookies at Drifted.com

• Using the Google Chrome browser, push this button next to the address bar
  
• Scroll down to “Cookies and site data”
• Click “Manage on-device site data”
• Under “Data from the site you’re visiting” you will likely see:
  • drifted.com
  • www.drifted.com
    • Click the trash cans next to both of these options
      
  • Click “Done”
  • It will say, “Reload this page to apply your updated settings on this site”
    • Click “Reload”

At this point, the game should now load without any issues.

Not seeing the new features on your PC?

We have identified and resolved this issue with our latest patch. Simply refresh your browser page to access the new features.

Not seeing the new features on your mobile device?

A quick refresh of your browser page should resolve this issue.

Blank screen after trying to log in

This is a known issue that has now been patched. Refresh your browser page to restore normal functionality. If the problem continues, try logging out completely and logging back in.

Is your phone getting hot when playing?

With the latest update, Drift Hunters MAX is now playable on most modern mobiles, PCs, tablets, and Chromebooks.

All Unity games that can be played within the browser on your phone are currently experimental, and on older or lower-spec devices, the resources required to play the game may be too much for it to handle.

If this is the case, it might cause your device to get hot. If so, we recommend closing the game immediately and trying to play Drift Hunters MAX on a newer device with capable hardware.

For example, a fan tested the game with the following specs, which weren’t capable of producing the best results:

• Samsung Galaxy M20
• Chipset – Exynos 7904 (14 nm)
• CPU – Octa-core (2×1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6×1.6 GHz Cortex-A53)
• GPU – Mali-G71 MP2
• RAM – 4GB

For this reason, we recommend having a device with better specs than those above.

Is Drift Hunters MAX lagging on your device?

There are two likely causes for this:

• Your device may not meet the minimum spec requirements for the game. However, you can try lowering the graphics to see if that helps:
  • Click “OPTIONS” on the main menu
  • Under “GRAPHICS”, try “MEDIUM”
  • If the game still lags, try “LOW”

This may be because you have too many other windows/applications open in the background on your device.

In this case, we advise closing all unnecessary apps/windows and trying again. If that doesn’t improve things, please try restarting your device.

Page freezing when loading the new update

The first time you load the new update, your browser will download the game files, which may take a little time to complete, depending on your connection speed. We strongly recommend using a stable WiFi connection for the initial download.

Once loaded for the first time, you’ll experience near-instant loading thanks to our latest optimization improvements.

Why are there in-game button overlays on mobile menus?

Our development team is actively working on fixing this UI issue.

For now, please use precise touch inputs on the highlighted areas to navigate the buttons behind the overlay. We’ve confirmed this workaround allows access to all game functions.

Why are the VIP cars not unlocked?

Players who claimed Drifted VIP accounts on the previous Drift Hunters MAX version will have these vehicles automatically unlocked in their garage.

New Drifted VIP members must purchase these vehicles using in-game currency, though this may be revised in future updates.

If your issue isn’t listed above

Please contact us through our website’s Contact Form or join the Drifted Discord server for prompt assistance.

When reporting issues, please include your device specifications and a detailed description of the problem for faster resolution.

The post Drift Hunters MAX Latest Update – FAQ & Troubleshooting first appeared on Drifted.com.

I’m sure we’ve all been there; you’re scrolling through YouTube when you stumble across a video that blows your expectations out of the water. That’s exactly what happened when I found this video from SkuraWeekly of a perfectly built Toyota JZX90 Mark II laying down fresh rubber through mountain passes.

Not only is the JZX90 an absolute stunner, but the autumn Washington (sorry, I meant “Mexican”) scenery creates the perfect backdrop that needs to be seen to be appreciated. Check it out here:

What makes this video even better? The team dropped a behind-the-scenes video showing exactly how a shoot like this comes together. For anyone into automotive videography or looking to step up their game, it’s a must-watch to see what goes down and the unexpected issues that often arise on a project like this.

For the crew, the day kicks off at 5 AM when most of us are still sleeping. (Pro tip: if you want to shoot cars, get used to these hours – they’re usually the most incredible time to film.) By 6, the crew’s assembled at their location, in “the jungle of Mexico” (if you know, you know!) Here, the fall colors are in full effect, creating the perfect backdrop for what’s about to go down.

As they get ready to go, the team realizes that even something as simple as condensation in the headlights becomes a challenge that needs to be overcome. Most 90s JDM car owners will be able to relate to this struggle, and I often have the same problem with my S15. However, these little hurdles are always good to know how to overcome on the day.

As the team preps the gear, they show off the weapons of choice for the day. A Sony Alpha 7S III gets paired with a Sigma ART 24-70mm f/2.8 on a DJI Ronin RS2 Pro gimbal, then switching to a Sigma ART 35mm f/1.2 later on for those dreamy, video game-like depth effects that make the car pop. The lenses are paired with a circular polarizer (CPL), to cut out glare, and ND filters to help reduce light without compromising ideal shutter speeds.

With the shoot in full swing, the videographer is strapped into the trunk with a harness (the perfect, safe way to get “the shot”) while the JZX90 throws down on the touge.

From on-the-floor stills to that epic over-the-bridge drone shot, every angle is carefully planned and executed while battling constantly changing light conditions. Each 10-second drift sequence in the final video takes nearly an hour to nail.

After more than twelve solid hours of work, they wrap up the shoot without any crashes or major drama, both of which can throw a huge spanner in the works during projects like this.

But the work’s far from over, as it’s time for them to head to the editing studio to work the final magic you’re treated to in the finished video.

If you want to give (much less risky!) touge drifting a try for yourself, nothing beats the free online drifting game Drift Hunters MAX.

NOTE: The roads were closed during this project. Don’t try this at “home”; keep it to the closed tracks (or touges), guys!

The post Behind The Scenes Of A Touge Drifting Video first appeared on Drifted.com.

The team at CboysTV answered that question by building any drift fans’ dream track – complete with banked walls and technical corners.

And, because safety barriers are too mainstream and boring, they decided to use the surrounding forest as nature’s guardrails (or clipping points.) I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

Discussing the decision to keep the trees, they explain, “Everyone that we’ve told this idea to is like ‘do you really need to have trees incorporated into the drift track?’ and we’re like ‘absolutely not, especially being novice drifters, it’s the last thing we should have'”.

I guess sometimes the craziest ideas make for the best entertainment. Right? But, uhh… let’s just say it caught up with them later on. Ouch.

With the help of a world-class track builder, fresh from creating Supercross courses in India, they transformed their farm into an asphalt paradise.

What started as a simple skid pad evolved into something much more ambitious, featuring a massive banked wall perfect for high-speed skids.

Unlike these guys, if you have a spare $250k, a drift car, and a bunch of land, we’d recommend wearing a helmet, especially if you intend to throw trees into the mix!

“This is the most fun thing I’ve ever done in my whole life – the track is perfect!” Jake exclaimed after the first test run, where he didn’t hold back.

His enthusiasm might have been slightly dampened later by Mike’s Nissan 350Z catching fire, and a crashed Mazda Miata. With that said, it’s just a normal day for these guys.

Want to see these hoonigans living out their drift track dreams while destroying cars and narrowly avoiding trees? Check out the full video at the top of this page – it’s just as chaotic and entertaining as it sounds.

After all, the best content usually starts with “Maybe this isn’t the smartest idea” and ends with broken drift cars… Right?

The post Creating An Insane $250k Backyard Drift Track first appeared on Drifted.com.

When Irwindale Speedway recently announced its closure after 25 years, it was much more than simply losing another racetrack for drifting fans.

Affectionately known as “The House of Drift,” the Southern California circuit has been the spiritual home of American drifting since Formula DRIFT‘s inception.

The Birthplace Of American Drifting

When the Japanese D1 Grand Prix (D1GP) series first arrived as an exhibition event at Irwindale in 2003, nobody could have predicted its long-term impact on U.S. motorsport. The event proved that American audiences were hungry for professional drifting, drawing record crowds, and inspiring the later creation of Formula DRIFT.

Despite being significantly different from the typical Japanese tracks in the D1GP series, Irwindale’s unique configuration proved perfect for drifting. Its twin ovals created an almost purpose-built drift course that challenged even the best drifters in the world while providing an ideal showcase for the sport’s spectacle.

The layout proved instrumental in translating the sport’s appeal to Western audiences. While Japanese tracks typically featured technical touge-style sections, Irwindale’s wide, high-speed, high-risk sweeping banks made the sport more spectacular for newcomers to understand and enjoy.

On top of that, Irwindale’s established reputation in NASCAR circles lent credibility to drifting, helping to position it as a legitimate motorsport rather than just an underground phenomenon.

The venue’s proximity to Los Angeles, the heart of American car culture, also played a crucial role in its selection. The location ensured maximum exposure and accessibility for both competitors and fans.

Since those early days, Irwindale has witnessed legendary moments defining American drifting. From Vaughn Gittin Jr.‘s historic D1GP USA vs. Japan victory – proving American drivers could compete at the highest level – to Daigo Saito‘s remarkable rookie championship run in 2012 that changed perspectives on what was possible in a drift car, Irwindale became the stage where the drifting history books were written.

The success of the D1GP event at Irwindale legitimized drifting in America and paved the way for forming Formula DRIFT. It demonstrated a viable market for professional drifting in the United States, setting the stage for the sport’s rapid growth and evolution in the years to come.

The venue’s significance in drifting history was cemented when Formula Drift chose it as their season finale location, a tradition that continued until the recent announcement.

Irwindale’s Cultural Impact

Since opening in 1999, the venue’s significance stretches far beyond drifting. Irwindale has been a cornerstone of Southern California’s motorsport scene, hosting everything from NASCAR races to demolition derbies.

The half-mile and third-mile twin ovals made Irwindale unique, creating what many consider the perfect multi-purpose venue. This allowed the track to host multiple events simultaneously, maximizing its value to the motorsport community.

While the track gained fame as “The House of Drift,” it simultaneously served as a crucial NASCAR development facility, hosting the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and Whelen All-American Series.

A Growing Crisis For Motorsport

The impact of Irwindale’s closure extends far beyond professional racing.

Its regular racing and drifting programs, combined with its accessible Los Angeles location, made it a crucial hub for legal motorsport. This accessibility helped combat Southern California’s persistent street racing problem while creating a vibrant automotive community that bridged the professional and grassroots divide.

Events like Super Saturdays and Hotpit Autofest, alongside the weekly Thursday Night Thunder programs and much more, created a platform where amateur drivers could progress through various motorsport disciplines. The venue provided a unique environment where beginners could develop into professionals under one roof.

Irwindale’s closure follows an alarming pattern. Auto Club Speedway’s demolition and similar situations worldwide point to a troubling trend in motorsport.

As urban development encroaches and property values soar, these cultural landmarks increasingly become seen as real estate opportunities – the land beneath the tracks is now worth more than the motorsport heritage and communities built above it.

With this, SoCal’s once-vibrant track scene continues shrinking, potentially pushing more enthusiasts toward illegal street activities.

While the cops tell enthusiasts to “take it to the track,” these tracks face forced closure. The question at this point becomes not just where motorsport enthusiasts can safely pursue their passion but whether grassroots motorsport culture can survive at all.

These venues provide safe, controlled environments where newcomers learn proper techniques and safety protocols. Without facilities like Irwindale, the next generation loses more than just track access – they lose the foundation upon which motorsport culture is built.

Formula DRIFT’s New Home Is Yet To Be Confirmed

The recently published 2025 Formula DRIFT schedule shows only “To Be Announced” for its final round. FD stated: “The elephant in the room has to be the recent announcement that Irwindale Speedway will padlock its gates in 2025.”

Formula DRIFT remains optimistic, explaining, “Talks with officials for the replacement Southern California venue are well underway, and while signatures have yet to be inked on the dotted line, an announcement is expected shortly.”

However, finding a venue combining Irwindale’s perfect layout, ideal location, and rich heritage presents a significant challenge.

Previous venue experiments, like Texas Motor Speedway, showed that not every major racing facility naturally accommodates drifting. After all, there’s a reason Irwindale earned its title as “The House of Drift.”

After 21 years of championship conclusions at Irwindale, Formula DRIFT faces perhaps its greatest challenge yet. We hope its new home can offer a blend of professional competition and grassroots development that makes “The House of Drift” so special.

Thanks for the memories, Irwindale!

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

Larry Chen | Formula DRIFT

The post Why Irwindale Speedway’s Closure Is A Huge Loss first appeared on Drifted.com.

TL;DR

• JDM: Japanese Drift Master delayed to Spring 2025 for additional refinements
• A new trailer reveals fresh location, Ichikara, a Tokyo-inspired district featuring neon-lit streets and skyscrapers
• The final game will feature over 250km of roads across the Guntama prefecture
• Story mode includes 40+ missions and “dozens” of side quests
• Licensed cars from Mazda, Nissan, and Subaru will come with detailed customization and tuning
• Multiple race types beyond drifting: Circuit racing, time trials, and drag racing
• Free prologue (JDM: Rise of the Scorpion) available to play on Steam

The delay comes with a recent X (Twitter) update, where the JDM development team shared their commitment to quality, stating, “This extra time will allow us to deliver the highest quality experience.”

JDM Update
The full release of JDM: Japanese Drift Master has been postponed to spring 2025. This extra time will allow us to deliver the highest quality experience.

Catch all the details in our devlog and get hyped with the new Key Art!
https://t.co/7yT4HL5xnq#JDM… pic.twitter.com/hRNoOJ1fUj

— Japanese Drift Master (@Japanese_Drift) November 13, 2024

The Polish studio also explained that they “dove deep into polishing the details and improving the overall quality of the game, so you can get the best possible experience on day one.” Test Drive Unlimted: Solar Crown could learn a thing or two from these guys!

While it might not be the news fans were hoping for, it’s refreshing to see the dev team continue communicating with its community and showing real progress while they’re at it. After all, this is the same team that previously analyzed 2,000 player feedback surveys from their demo and made actual improvements based on community input.

Fresh Trailer Shows Off New Location

The delay announcement comes alongside plenty of positive news, as Gaming Factory dropped a new trailer showcasing “Ichikara,” their virtual take on Tokyo’s modern districts.

The neon-lit metropolis appears to be a drift enthusiast’s playground, complete with wide expressways and towering skyscrapers, joining the previously-announced Haikama Lake touge mountain roads.

The trailer showcases Mazda’s officially licensed vehicles, starting with a subtly modified RX-7 FD3S cruising down the highway, overtaking various vehicles, including lorries and kei trucks.

Things heat up when a VeilSide Fortune-kitted RX-7 FD appears, performing donuts in the city streets.

It then transitions to a Rocket Bunny widebody FD with Mount Fuji looming in the background.

It then meets up and cruises alongside a slammed, camber-heavy, top-down Miata, which treats us to some playful pop-up headlight action, showing off the game’s attention to detail.

While the new footage looks good and adds to the suspense, it’s noteworthy that it’s purely cinematic (with a distinct lack of Eurobeat!), leaving fans waiting to see more actual gameplay.

Latest Dev Announcement Reveals Further Details

The delay announcement came packaged with substantial new information about JDM’s features and content. Here’s what we learned:

The World of Guntama Expands

Gaming Factory lifted the lid on their fictional Japanese prefecture, Guntama.

At its heart lies the newly announced Ichikara, which draws inspiration from Tokyo’s modern districts. However, it’s now revealed that it’s just one part of a much larger picture. The team announced that the full game world spans over 250km of roads, weaving through mountain passes, rural backroads, and city streets.

In-Game Story Mode & Missions

Players step into the role of a foreign driver aiming to build their reputation on Japanese streets. The manga-filled campaign features over 40 story-driven missions, complemented by “dozens” of side quests.

Cars & Tuning

The game’s JDM car roster includes officially licensed models from Nissan, Subaru, and Mazda. Each car has been laser-scanned and features authentic engine sounds recorded from their real-world counterparts.

The tuning system promises extensive customization options, from performance parts to visual mods, complete body kits, and advanced suspension tweaking, as we see above.

More Than Just Drifting

For those of you who sometimes venture beyond the drift events, you have the chance to participate in circuit racing, time trials, head-to-head battles, and even drag racing. Each event type comes with its own unique challenges and gameplay mechanics.

While We Wait For JDM’s 2025 Release

Don’t forget, JDM: Rise of the Scorpion remains free to play on Steam. The prologue offers a solid taste of what’s to come, featuring a slice of the story mode and several licensed vehicles, including the Mazda Miata (MX5) we’ve seen in today’s trailer.

The development team continues actively engaging with the community through their Discord server, gathering feedback and sharing development updates. Given their track record of implementing player suggestions, it might be worth joining the discussion if you want to help shape the final product.

The post JDM: Japanese Drift Master Delayed Until Early 2025 first appeared on Drifted.com.

Street Alpha Podcast recently landed an incredible exclusive with the legendary Drift King, Keiichi Tsuchiya, delivering a treasure trove of never-before-heard stories about his journey into drifting and his thoughts on how the sport has evolved.

Street Alpha Podcast recently landed an incredible exclusive with the legendary Drift King, Keiichi Tsuchiya, delivering a treasure trove of never-before-heard stories about his journey into drifting and his thoughts on how the sport has evolved.

In this in-depth interview, Tsuchiya drops some jaw-dropping revelations that might surprise even the most dedicated drift fans. For instance, did you know his first drift car wasn’t the iconic AE86, but actually the Toyota 2000GT?

And, in a moment that left the interviewer visibly stunned, the Drift King casually recommended the Mercedes C63 as one of today’s best drift cars for younger drivers getting into drifting – that was one we didn’t expect to hear!

The interview reveals Tsuchiya’s unconventional beginnings in the snowy streets of Nagano Prefecture with a humble KP61 Starlet, where snow-drifting practice would become fundamental to his legendary technique.

He also describes his role in The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, where he played what he humorously calls “a super Monk” who could judge driving quality just by listening to the sound of the cars.

Tsuchiya shows his playful side when discussing modern drifting, particularly Formula D’s judging style. He admits he often can’t tell who’s winning under the current system – a surprisingly candid confession from (arguably) the sport’s greatest icon!

Want to know what car the Drift King himself ranks as the ultimate drifting machine? Or what he thinks about the future of motorsports in the age of EVs?

Check out the full interview above for the fascinating revelations from the master himself. It’s packed with incredible insights about drifting’s evolution from an underground “drift tribe” movement to a global phenomenon.

The post Keiichi Tsuchiya Discusses Formula DRIFT And The Future Of Drifting first appeared on Drifted.com.

When I opened my YouTube feed and saw a video from his Fink & Co YouTube channel explaining how he’s making the most significant move of his drift career to date, I knew he either had to be heading to America’s Formula DRIFT or Europe’s Drift Masters Grand Prix series.

While either option would’ve been awesome, the Australian will undoubtedly bring a much-needed shakeup to the otherwise (mostly) unchanged Formula DRIFT driver roster for 2025.

What Car Will Luke Fink Drive For FD 2025?

Fink will compete under the JDM Racing banner for the upcoming season, a team with which he has already competed in New Zealand’s premier D1NZ series.

He’ll bring his wild driving style and showcase the team’s barn-find four-door Nissan Skyline R32, which is currently undergoing a ground-up rebuild to suit Fink’s preferences.

With everything getting completely overhauled on the car, the team is building an RB30 engine capable of pushing out up to 1,500 horsepower while pulling the power back to produce “just” 1,000 hp, but with the extra power in reserve if needed.

The rebuild also includes a brand-new suspension setup, a dog box transmission (instead of a sequential box for improved reliability), extensive chassis mods, and much more to make the car competitive and meet the FD rules.

Where Has Luke Fink Been In Recent Years?

Many of you will likely have seen Luke Fink on the LZ World Tour this year, where he went door-to-door with FD’s very own Matt Field in a Corvette vs Corvette battle at Kern Raceway.

Fink is an O.G. to the drifting game, having competed in Europe for the first time in 2010 at JDM Allstars after impressing in Australia. My introduction to Fink shredding tires in the real world was around 10 years ago when he competed in the Drift Allstars competition in the iconic Low Brain Drifters Nissan Silvia “Odyvia” S13.

As he stared straight into my lens through his unique red visor, it was immediately obvious he was the most entertaining driver to watch at the event. Before I knew it, he was wheelie-poppin’ and showcasing his skills as he knocked on the doors of Europe’s best.

James Deane, recently crowned the most successful driver in FD history, was also present at the event. However, Fink’s all-out aggressive arguably driving style stood out as the main crowd-pleaser as he continually pushed the car’s limits and exploded the fiberglass body parts.

Fink Is No Stranger To International Drifting

Little did I know then, but a few years later, Fink would join the driver roster for the King of Nations series I was working with. This meant I would be treated to his wild driving antics as he got behind the wheel of a selection of cars across the globe.

One of my favorite moments of the several years of shooting for the series was when Fink was handed the opportunity to pilot this wild V10-powered E46 M3. Built with insight from FD’s very own Chelsea DeNofa, it produced a soundtrack that took me back to the glory days of Formula One.

Hearing the crazy V10 at full squeal as the sound bounced off the walls of Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina grandstands is something I’ll never forget. If you want to hear it for yourself, check out this video:

The Moment He’s Been Waiting For

Traveling the globe and using borrowed cars came with its issues. As the series ventured to new continents, fresh problems would arrive with the rental cars, leaving Fink unable to showcase his true potential.

This is one of the main reasons I’m stoked to see Fink finally have the opportunity to shred with some of the world’s best drivers in Formula DRIFT with proper backing, team, and a well-specced and prepped car. He’ll undoubtedly be looking to cause a serious upset in the series.

Over the next few months, Fink also intends to show how seriously he’s taking the challenge by embarking on a personal weight loss journey. In FD, the car and driver’s combined weight determines what tire size teams can run, and every kilo counts – no pressure!

We’ll keep our fingers crossed that this unique FD opportunity will again allow Luke Fink to compete at the top tier of drifting behind the wheel of an epic car. Many of us on this side of the globe haven’t seen this since the good ol’ days of the Drift Allstars series.

Knowing his signature style, you can expect plenty of backward entries and door-knocking in FD for 2025!

Jack Shanahan Also Joins The Provisional Driver Lineup

Although The Shanahans are yet to confirm their 2025 plans, Conor’s name returns to the provisional lineup alongside a new addition – his older brother, Jack Shanahan.

If this is true, it’ll mark an exciting development for European representation in FD. Fans will know that Conor didn’t have the best of luck in his 2024 Rookie season behind the wheel of Rome Charpentier’s old E36. The combined entry will hopefully allow the brothers to join forces and create a more competitive program for the 2025 season.

Jack Shanahan has maintained a strong presence on the other side of the globe, particularly in the Drift Masters Grand Prix and Russian Drift Series (RDS), where he clinched the title in 2021. Despite being just 25, he’s also the two-time winner of the British Drift Championship (BDC) after impressing in the Irish Drift Championship (IDC) at an early age.

Jack’s competitive experience at the highest levels, combined with Conor’s existing Formula DRIFT knowledge, positions “The Shanahans” as a formidable duo for the 2025 season.

Although we weren’t too impressed with the recent 2025 Formula DRIFT schedule announcement, especially with the loss of the legendary Irwindale Speedway, these driver announcements bring plenty of optimism for the upcoming FD season.

The post Luke Fink Joins 2025 Formula DRIFT Lineup first appeared on Drifted.com.