Should you name the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany residence, and know something about native road drifting scenes, there’s a great probability you’d have heard of the Skids and Tea weblog.
Round 10 years in the past, buddies Lars and Sebastiaan started posting images and movies of their late-night road adventures in two Mazda MX5s. Usually, these drives completed up with licorice tea on the finish of the night time, and the title ‘Skids and Tea’ was born.
Whereas Sebastiaan ultimately started specializing in different hobbies, Lars saved issues going and Skids and Tea grew.
By documenting his and his buddies’ builds and after-dark antics right here within the Netherlands and overseas, Lars has created a tight-knit neighborhood of passionate drifters who respect early-2000s Japanese drift automotive type. I’ve attended a number of Skids and Tea road meets through the years, and as they’ve all the time been saved small and selective, there’s by no means been any bother.
As you could have seen from varied present protection on Speedhunters, there’s a fairly giant modified automotive scene within the Netherlands. Drifting, nonetheless, solely has a small following. A few of that may be put right down to accessibility. Presently, there is just one circuit that caters for drifting within the Netherlands, and that’s only a tiny oval monitor with a three-corner infield and a really sketchy concrete outer financial institution. The opposite two tracks that when allowed drifting stopped doing so attributable to noise and air pollution complaints. These complaints finally led to drifting solely being allowed on moist tracks to maintain the noise and smoke to an absolute minimal – a rule that many different circuits in Europe have adopted.
One other issue is perhaps the variety of ‘’missiles’ which have traditionally attended drift Dutch occasions. 9 instances out of 10, these are BMW E36s which can be not identifiable as a sedan, coupe or compact as a result of their complete rear finish has seen extra concrete obstacles than automotive washes. I get it, everybody has to be taught someway, however I’m certain that many individuals are postpone by having to share monitor house with these tough and prepared machines.
This is the reason many Dutch and German drifters skip native days altogether, as an alternative setting their sights on occasions like Subsequent Degree and Shotsu Drift in Poland. However these are ultra-popular and competitor numbers are, after all, restricted, so not everybody coming into from overseas will get a spot.
For these causes, Lars determined it was time for a extra style-oriented and non-competitive drift day nearer to residence. He reached out to the homeowners of Circuit Meppen, a brief (2.15km/1.34mi) but technical monitor positioned in Meppen, Germany – simply quarter-hour from the Netherlands border – constructed on the grounds of a former energy plant.
After a little bit backwards and forwards, Lars and Circuit Meppen reached an settlement. All 50 driver slots for the primary occasion held late final month rapidly crammed from throughout the Skids and Tea neighborhood.
And what a day it was; the variability and high quality of vehicles have been superb.
Because the monitor floor wanted to be moist – this circuit has the drift restriction as nicely – solely part of the complete structure may very well be used. This consisted of some good cambered corners and quick sections, holding it enjoyable for all talent ranges.
The dearth of tyre smoke was compensated with good vibes. There was no competitors, simply a great deal of seat time for drivers and passengers, with everybody serving to one another out and sharing information, precisely how grassroots drifting ought to be.
Koen de Laat, higher referred to as KUHNS, was on the occasion in his E21, which you may recognise from my characteristic on it again in March. Sadly, Koen had some fueling points, which resulted within the BMW’s turbo M10 engine blowing its head gasket later within the day.
The Polderlife boys are well-known in Europe for his or her aggressive driving type and have been residing as much as that fame at Circuit Meppen.
Let me know if you wish to see extra of Mick and his 2JZ-swapped Toyota Cressida, a mixture initially seen in a sure blue Norwegian X30.
Should you thought Adam LZ had purchased all of them up, you thought fallacious. I noticed not one, however two vehicles working Blitz Kind 03 wheels on the occasion.
This lineup of old-school Toyotas seemed like a scene straight from Japan.
Watching Mike, a coworker of mine, throw his AE86 round all day made me keep in mind how a lot I miss my Hachiroku.
Sidney, the proprietor of this clear R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R on 18-inch BBS wheels, is similar man who constructed the white, genuine ’90s-styled PS13 Silvia we featured in 2023.
Regardless of its low engine output, this first-generation Mazda RX-7 had loads of enjoyable on the moist monitor
I actually can’t say sufficient good issues about this occasion. It felt like a day on the skatepark once you have been youthful, simply hanging out and having enjoyable. Moreover, it impressed me to construct an ’80s rear-wheel drive automotive once more.
The following Skids and Tea at Meppen date is already booked and blocked off in my calendar with a giant fats marker.
Collin Tiemens
Instagram: collinclicksphotos
