Coventry MotoFest To Feature Falken International Drift Team: 80mph… Sideways!
Falken's iconic drift team is the first to announce it will perform at Coventry's MotoFest on May 29th-31st 2015.
The UK team of Matt Carter, Paul Cheshire and Kirstie Widdrington plus Irish Drift Champion James Deane are planning to get all four Falken-shod cars simultaneously driving around the Coventry ring road in a spectacular display of car control at speeds of over 80mph - sideways.
The four car team includes former British Drift Champion Matt Carter who will be driving his 650bhp Nissan R32 and jumped at the opportunity to take part. "We've all watched the Fast and Furious films or played the street driving games and wanted to drive our purpose built race cars in the city but that was never going to happen these days," says Carter. "What with all the safety and legal issues it was pretty much impossible but the team at MotoFest have done something amazing to pull this off. When we heard about it we just had to be part of it!"
Drifting is the automotive equivalent of ice skating with points awarded for style and speed rather than outright lap time. Front running teams such as Falken compete in championships across Europe in one of the fastest growing forms of motorsports.
With no chance to practice beforehand the team will have to draw on all of its years of experience to get to grips with the much tighter confines of the slippery ring road, hemmed in by concrete walls and barriers. "We usually perform drifting at racetracks," adds team member Paul Cheshire. "The bumps, grids and throw in a greasy layer of diesel, not to mention the unforgiving nature of the concrete and it will add to a challenging drift arena.”
Tyre maker Falken was keen to get more involved in an event it has supported from its initial year. "Taking the action to the fans is what Motofest is all about," says Falken's Matt Smith. "This is the only place to see a safe and spectacular drift on a UK road, it will look incredible."
James Noble, Coventry MotoFest festival director said, “This is another UK first for Coventry MotoFest and spectacular to watch; all roads lead to Coventry.”
For any media enquiries, interview or photo requests please contact Rob Griggs-Taylor on mobile 07952 564 614 or e-mail rob@coventrymotofest.com
For Falken Media enquiries
Nick Bailey, 44 (0) 7813 956664
About FALKEN Tyre Europe:
The technology and development of Falken High Performance Tyres and their driving characteristics have for many years been derived from motorsport, most recently its participation in the American Le Mans Series and Nürburgring 24 Hours. Tyre technologies developed on track are often transferred to the road, offering improvements in wet and dry grip, efficiency, feeling and control.
Falken Tyre Europe is a brand of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Japan, with European headquarters near Frankfurt. Falken has aggressively expanded its product range, launching new products in new sectors and niches across Europe. Falken’s current products range from the track-inspired Azenis series including the latest FK453 flagship through to the efficient and innovative ZE914 and the rugged all-terrain WildPeak A/T and cold weather HS449. They cater for cars across the spectrum from high-performance racing to everyday use.
All FALKEN products fulfil the ISO standards 9001 and 14001. For more information visit www.falken-europe.de or www.facebook.com/falkenmotorsports. Falken tyres are produced to the highest-quality standards – all production facilities are ISO9001: 2000 and ISO / TS 16949:2002 certified. Additionally, all factories have certification under the ISO14001 Environmental Management System.
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