As I'm sure you know, during the month of July we spent a lot of time covering different aspects of the drifting world. Even though it's now August, we still have a few special drifting features left, and this is one of them. A few weeks back, we came up with the crazy idea of doing a "Top 10" list of the world's iconic drift cars. When compiling the list we considered criteria like the number of individual victories and championships, longevity in competition, breakthrough achievements, or cars that have have had a major influence on the sport. Of course we also rated the cars based on our personal ideas of what makes a great drift car.
Several of us came up with our own lists and then we tallied up the votes to derive our "official" top 10. Actually it was surprising how similar our individual lists were considering we all come from different backgrounds and have different tastes.
Now that you have an idea of what we were looking for, let's get started. For this post we will look at numbers 10-6. We will then follow with 5-2, and finally number 1.
#10. Koguchi 180SX
Type: RPS13 180SX
Series: D1GP Japan and USA as well as other events like Drift Showoff.
Years Active: 2000-Present
Builder(s): Koguchi Power
Driver(s): Yoshinori Koguchi
Chassis Variations: Unknown
Current Status: Active in D1GP Japan
Number of Wins: 1
Championships: 0
Breakthrough innovation: Few cars represent the "purity" of drifting more than Koguchi's 180. The RPS13 180SX is the quintessential drift car and Yoshinori Koguchi is nothing less than a master of this car.
Notable Achievements: While Koguchi is not known for having tons of wins in D1 , the influence of him and his cars go far beyond statistics. He represents the original spirit of Japanese drifting and has never gone far from his roots. Koguchi and his 180SX also played a big part in the rise of drifting in the USA by performing at the original Drift Showoff events in SoCal. After spending a little time in a JZX100 Chaser, Koguchi has returned to the 180SX and recently got his first D1GP victory at the 2008 spring D1 match at Fuji.
Lasting Influence: Koguchi is and will continue to be a hero for hardcore S13 fans as well fans of Japanese drifting history.
#9 Falken Mustang GT
Type: 2005 Ford Mustang GT
Series: D1GP USA, Formula D
Years Active: 2005-Present
Builder(s): Falken Tires, Xtreme Mustang Performance
Driver(s): Vaughn Gittin Jr.
Chassis Variations: 1
Current Status: Active
Number of Wins: 2
Championships:0
Breakthrough innovation: This car is one of the first V8-powered "muscle car" drift machines. The Ford Mustang is as American as apple pie and having a fire-breathing Mustang GT drift car makes perfect sense. Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s rock and roll personality and aggressive driving style are a perfect match for this beast of a drift car. It also happens to have one of the most distinct exhaust notes of any drift car ever.
Notable Achievements: No one will forget JR's pair of victories at the D1GP All Star events in 2005 and 2007. He showed the world the high talent that American drifters posess as well as proving the capabilities of the Mustang as a drift car. Although he hasn't had a Formula D victory yet, no one will be surprised when he eventually does get one. He also finished fourth overall in the 2005 Formula D point standings.
Lasting Influence: No car better represents American style drifting.
#8 RMR Pontiac GTO
Type: 2004 Pontiac GTO
Series: D1GP USA, Formula D
Years Active: 2004-Present
Builder(s): Rhys Millen Racing, GM
Driver(s): Rhys Millen, Daijiro Yoshihara
Chassis Variations: 1
Current Status: Active
Number of Wins: 3
Championships:1
Breakthrough innovation: Besides being one of the first non-Japanese pro drift cars ever, the GTO was also notable for being the first factory-backed drift car. I still remember the Option video where Mana-P goes to check out the GTO as it's being built. After an impressive debut performance at D1 in 2004, the car would go on to become one of the most successful American drift cars ever.
Notable Achievements: When Rhys Millen was driving the GTO he scored three victories in Formula D, as well as taking the 2005 series championship. After Rhys switched to the new Solstice and the GTO disappeared for a while. In 2008 the old GTO reappeared and is now being driven by Daijiro Yoshihara as part of Rhys Millen's team. Dai has proven that the GTO is still a capable car and is currently ranked in third place in the FD standings.
Lasting Influence: This car marked a turning point in the history of drifting. For better or for worse, the introduction of a works team signaled the transition of drifting from a grassroots cult motorsport to a mainstream professional one.
#7 Sift/Yuke's AE86 Trueno
Type: Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno 3-door
Series: D1GP Japan & USA
Years Active: 2000-2006
Builder(s): Sift Racing, Revolver
Driver(s): Katsuhiro Ueo
Chassis Variations: Unknown
Current Status: Inactive
Number of Wins: 4
Championships:1
Breakthrough innovation: If you have ever been mad about the high prices that AE86's have sold for within the past few years, you can probably put some of the blame on Ueo's D1 AE86. During the period when D1 was expanding, Ueo was dominant in his underpowered AE86 and proved to the world how magical the AE86 can be in the right hands. While many other drivers were moving on to newer, higher powered cars, Ueo stuck with his screaming Hachi Roku.
Notable Achievements: After winning the opening round of the 2002 D1 season, Ueo would go on to take the season title that year. In 2003 he would gain even more fame after winning the first ever D1 event at Irwindale Speedway. This established him as a hero among AE86 fans worldwide.
Lasting Influence: Although he switched to different cars before dropping out of the spotlight, Ueo will always be known worldwide as the 86 maniac.
#6 Blitz ER34 Skyline
Type: ER34 Nissan Skyline Sedan
Series: D1GP Japan & USA
Years Active: 2002-Present
Builder(s): Blitz, URAS
Driver(s): Ken Nomura
Chassis Variations: Many
Current Status: Active
Number of Wins: 6
Championships: 0
Breakthrough innovation: Although Nomuken has yet to win any series championships, his Blitz ER34 Skyline Sedan is one of the most recognizable and popular drift cars in the world. It is nearly as distinct as his personality. He has gone through many different cars, but they all have been ER34 sedans. The Blitz ER34 started out as a simple street-car based drift machine and has been evolving ever since.
Notable Achievements: Besides scoring numerous wins over the years in D1GP, Nomuken came within a blink of winning the 2006 series championship but was narrowly defeated by Nobushige Kumakubo.
Lasting Influence: Looking back at Nomuken's cars, you can watch the history of pro drift car style unfold before your eyes.
Well that wraps the first part of our look at the top 10 drift cars of all time. We are interested to hear what you guys think and whether you agree or disagree with your choices. This should spark some interesting discussion!
-Mike Garrett