JK Tyre has forayed into the world of drifting for the first time, with the inaugural JK Tyre Drift Challenge held at the Buddh International Circuit. Sanam Sekhon dominated proceedings, winning two out of three categories. But Mudit Grover denied him a clean sweep, taking victory in the Open category.

The event was the first drifting competition in the country officially backed by the FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Club of India).

1. Sekhon wins D1, D2 categories (driving a Lexus GS 300)
2. Mudit Grover wins Open category (driving a BMW E46)

JK Tyre Drift Challenge: What is it?

When it comes to drifting, the focus is on skill, precision and car control. The JK Tyre Drift Challenge was divided into three categories: D1, D2 and Open. D1 was for cars running on tyres that are 215-255mm wide. The D2 category permits a maximum tyre width of 205mm. Finally, all competitors – regardless of tyre width – were eligible to participate in the Open category.

Drivers are judged and handed points based on multiple parameters like line, angle, style and speed. The judges briefed the competitors about the ideal line through a corner and drivers then had to stick to it as precisely as possible.

The angle at which a driver drifts the car counts towards the score, with a more acute angle earning more points. As far as style is concerned, the more precise the drift, the higher the score. If a driver has to make too many corrections on the steering wheel as they’re going through the corner, they’ll pick up a lower score. Additionally, the more speed a driver can carry through the corner, the more points they’ll earn.

For the inaugural edition, the judging panel consisted of Japanese drift racer Taniguchi Atsushi and drift experts Tanakorn Lertyaovarit (Thailand) and Alistair Woodham (India).

Sekhon secores big at JK Tyre Drift Challenge

Driving a specially prepped Lexus GS 300, Sekhon took a commanding win in the D1 category with a haul of 744 points. Second-placed Jugraj Singh Bhurjee, driving a BMW M3, scored 476 points. Mudit Grover (driving a BMW E46) rounded out the podium with 286 points.

Sekhon also took victory in the D2 category with 460 points, while Mudit Grover was second (262 points), followed by Mugdha Grover, driving a Mercedes C200 K (156 points).

However, Sekhon missed out on scoring a clean sweep in all three categories. Mudit Grover beat him in the Open category, scoring 700 points to second-placed Sekhon’s 636 points. Samyak Kapoor finished a distant third with 281 points.

“Drifting has been gaining popularity all over the world and it’s great to see the turnout we had today,” said Sanjay Sharma, Head of Motorsports, JK Tyre. “We had a field of 20 incredibly talented drivers who served up a truly heart-stopping, tyre-smoking spectacle. They put on quite a show and we’re confident that this discipline in general and the JK Tyre Drift Challenge in particular will get bigger and better in the coming years.”