Bishop drifts into growing sport

Tony Bishop tears around a corner at the Drift Fest event at Calder Park Raceway on the weekend before encountering mechanical problems.

By Marc McGowan
CAR drifting has caught the imagination of the motor sport fraternity, with Cranbourne adrenaline junkie Tony Bishop one of the droves of petrol heads taking up the sport.
After watching a demonstration of car drifting from Japan on video, Bishop knew he had to be involved, and his enthusiasm has grown ever since.
“It’s a cross between a burnout competition and a drag race, and it’s about going fast sideways,” he said.
“It’s just an adrenaline rush like no other. It’s being in control, but being on the verge of being out of control.”
The 23-year-old took up the sport four years ago and is now looking to make the transition to the Drift Australia Series, which travels all over the country.
“It is more than just a hobby for me now and it’s only down to the money,” Bishop said.
“I’ve got the talent and we’ve got a really good car set-up, but it’s just the money, which is frustrating.
“Tyres are a constant expense, fuel is a constant expense, and I’m probably spending over $500 every meeting.”
Bishop was scheduled to compete at Drift Fest at Calder Park Raceway on the weekend, but a broken steering arm ruined his suspension and he left his spare part at home.
The event is open to all competitors outside of those in the Drift Australia Series and is seen as a pathway to the elite standard.
“There are two cars on the track, with one out the front and the second car chases and has to mimic or better what the first car has done,” Bishop said.
“Usually it is one-on-one battling and it works as a round robin, where there are 32 drivers to start with and it gradually gets down to the top 16, then the quarters and semis and so on.”
Practice time is at a premium, with tracks rarely made available, but Bishop is hooked.
“You’re racing for style and performance more than anything and it’s open to interpretation and can be taken any way you like – it’s a different form of motor sport,” he said.
“The whole idea is showmanship and making it look good because if it looks standard or boring you don’t get noticed.”