SPARK Motorsports held its first drift clinic on Sunday, where 15 local drifters were treated to a day of sideways action with 2004 D1GP champion Ryuji Miki, Singapore's leading drifter Ivan Lim and aspiring Formula Drift USA driver Charles Ng.

Held at the Changi Exhibition Centre grounds, it was a hot sunny day as the participants did their practice runs. A brief late afternoon shower cooled the weather just before the friendly competition was held.

I was hoping it would be tandem battles for the competition, but it turned out each participant was given three individual runs and the judges Miki and Ng decided the top three.

Registration for this day-long drift clinic was $350 per person, minus the cost of tyres and prepping of car. That's quite a good deal!

Based on what I understand, it's not cheap to rent the entire Changi Exhibition Centre grounds like that. Another local drift clinic charged about $600 for the same venue. Of course, there are other differing factors like instructors or other opportunities that might lead off from attending the workshop.

Eventually, it was Jason Tan of Team Driftmasters who won. His performance was quite steady and I think it was quite clear that he would be placed within the top three.

I thought Ah Wee did quite well too, pity he didn't make it to the top three. It was Andre Goh and Andy Gas who finished in second and third instead.

The winners received cash prizes - $700, $500 and $300. Not bad, at least the registration fee was covered!

Miki, Ng and Lim are taking part in Formula Drift Malaysia this weekend (19-21 Dec), so this clinic was timely for them to gain some practice time before they head up to Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur later this week.

SPARK Motorsports expressed the intention to have a drift clinic annually. I think it's great that more of such clinics are being organised, so drift enthusiasts can have someplace legal to get practice.

In fact, local drift forum Drift Garage is holding its own club competition in Malaysia this weekend too.

Passion does drive wonders.