While some people may find it hard to believe, the Australian winter can be quite miserable. That’s why every year Drifting South Australia holds Winterfest, a weekend-long drift event where everyone can get together and slide the winter blues away.
In late June, 120 drivers arrived at The Bend Motorsport Park for a weekend of good times. The circuit’s revered drift track is known for its fast front straight leading into a high-speed, 120-degree cambered wall ride that can intimidate even the most experienced drivers, and big downhill entries when reversed. Between those two features are numerous different configurations of switchbacks that test everyone’s skills.
The track and the driving may be at the forefront of spectators’ minds, but for the drivers, volunteers and media crew, it is a great time to catch up with mates and throw down some hotlaps without the pressures of competition.
That lack of competition, combined with drift sessions divided by driver experience level, means everyone can head out onto the track freely without worrying about holding up others.
It also leads to a wide array of Japanese and Australian cars shredding together – and let’s not forget that one Swedish Volvo either. There was also a great mixture of engine swaps in the crowd, like a Ford Barra-powered Nissan 180SX and a VL Holden Commodore – 1980s Australian production car royalty – powered by a Mazda rotary.
Winterfest is the perfect example of a community coming together to make a great event. Even if the maximum temperature only reaches 6°C (43°F), good people enjoying cars is the best way to get out of the winter slump.
Bring on the 2027 event!
