Whoever wonder if professional drifting drivers can smoothly make the transition to car racing.
Whether drifting or racing, Naider N J Soleman throws his whole heart and soul into driving
We caught up with Soleman at the Silverstone Circuit in Towcester, where he was training and practising his car racing skills.
For the Drift Wales 2011 Champion, most drifting and car racing skills are transferable and he expects to be just as successful with racing as with drifting – no exceptions.
We had the opportunity to catch up with Soleman. This is what he shared with us:
Q: There’s been a healthy amount of speculation circulating about whether or not drifting drivers can make the switch to car racing. Tell us, can drifting drivers race?
A: Of course they can. However, you are going to need to get rid of some habits that can be pretty hard to break, like flicking the steering. This is something every drifter would be craving to do straight away after getting behind the wheel. In drifting, you need to control sliding the car from side to side. In racing, you must keep the car as stable as possible and focus on how to reach the finish line before your competitors.
Q: We understand you are receiving your car racing license soon and then we find you out here practising on car racing. Does this mean you are stepping away from drifting and going into car racing exclusively?
A: I actually stepped away from drifting a few years ago, but now I am going back to it. At the same time, I am planning to stay with car racing because it is something that I have always wanted to do. There is definitely room for both.
Q: Why racing – is it more fun than drifting?
A: Nothing is more fun than drifting in motorsport. You will probably hear that same answer from any driver who has done both drifting and any other type of motorsport. But as I said racing is also something I always liked and wanted to do.
Q: Can you use a drifting car for racing?
A: Yes, but you need to do some modifications on it. The fact is loads of drifters love keeping the same cars forever and will maintain them regularly so they can keep competing with them. If you are one of those guys then that desire doesn’t have to be changed because you move to car racing.
Q: Are you going to compete in car racing?
A: Maybe, but not anytime soon. I might compete in drifting soon, though.
