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Spring Matsuri 2018: The Report

Spring Matsuri has quickly become the place to be at the start of each drift season, hosted at Rockingham Motor Speedway featuring two days of drifting, four tracks, a skate park, RC drifting, the first round of the HEL Performance Driftcup and even an after party on the Saturday night!

It’s easy to see why Spring Matsuri has become such a well known event for both the drivers and the fans.

The four tracks across the venue challenge the drivers in different ways, the oval features two tracks with high speed transitions on the banking providing a great chance to run the wall in multiple places on each run.

The Infield track is always popular, it’s one of the longest continuous tracks used in the UK with the drivers pushing themselves to link each corner together.

The final track is the Outer Paddock, on Saturday this custom layout is available to all of the drivers before the Driftcup drivers take over on Sunday for the first round of their 2018 season.

The outer paddock layout started off with fast sweeping corners before progressively tightening toward the end of the track, this gave chase drivers every opportunity to close up on the lead car.

The selection of cars at the Matsuri weekends is always impressive and this time was no exception! There were plenty of the usual S13s, S14s and Skylines, alongside rarer chassis choices like Martin Wonnacott’s JZX100 or Leonard Kepert’s monster of a BMW E46.

Something that stands out at these events is the range of driving talent on track at any time, from grassroots drivers to current British Drift Championship entrants.

If the track action wasn’t varied enough there was always the RC drift track with a huge selection of cars for people to try out on their custom track, every time we looked in it was clear that it has become a popular addition to the event.

Team Extreme ran a few demos each day on the skate park that had been constructed for the event, performing their tricks on BMX’s and Scooters. Mark Webb, professional BMXer and drifter also joined in with the displays.

As the darkness drew in on Saturday the tracks closed but it wasn’t the end of the action, the Outer Paddock came to life with the team battles. Each team featured three drivers running together with the aim of impressing the crowds in order to advance through each stage of the competition.

A couple of hours of great drifting followed before the fireworks ended the track action for the evening before the after party kicked off, continuing into the early hours.

Sunday morning came around and it was time to do it all over again on the oval tracks and the infield, whilst Round 1 of the 2018 HEL Performance Driftcup took place on the outer paddock.

The spectators flocked to the wall on the outer paddock to watch as the Driftcup drivers battled hard throughout the day, running in close proximity to each other and the wall in front of the fans.

By the end of the weekend many tyres had been shredded, a lot of fun had been had by all and everyone left the event with smiles on their faces.

It had been another successful Spring Matsuri, an event that continues to grow each year, we are already looking forward to the next one!

Grab your discounted tickets TODAY!

As we get closer and closer to the start of the drift season, tickets for the Spring Drift Matsuri close TODAY!

ALL tickets will be removed from sale at 8pm tonight.

You will still be able to buy tickets on the gate when you arrive.

Under 14’s go free of charge, ticket prices start at £16.50. Go to the tickets tab NOW!

If you arrive on the day, tickets will be as follow

  • Saturday £25 – £35 payable and £10 refunded on removal of your Saturday wristband at the gate before 9:30pm
  • Sunday £20
  • Weekend ticket £35

We look forward to seeing you over the weekend!

Don’t miss HEL Performance HEL DriftCup round 1 2018 on Sunday.

The stars of tomorrow today doing battle in the Outer Paddock.

The Infield and Oval both transformed in to a drifters heaven!

Radio Controlled car drifting in garages 25/26/27 care of Getyourdrifton. Bring your own drift car if you have one! Drivers from across the UK and Europe will be on site!

Team Extreme on site doing their thing both days on a purpose built half pipe in the inner paddock.

Night time battles in the outer paddock!

Teams of three cars side by side under floodlights – YOU! The crowd are the judges!

Then the party really kicks of in the ‘Party in the Pits’. bring your dancing show and get ready to party the night away!

#Springmatsuri2018
#Rockingham
#Bethere

Team Extreme added to the bill

We always bring a little something different to the Matsuri events.

This year is no exception, last year we had a simple half pipe place in the Inner Paddock. Mark Webb and a few other riders were invited to show what they can do on two wheels.

This year we are stepping up the game and have invited ‘Team Extreme’ to entertain those of you who are in to extreme sports.

We are delighted to tell you that we will have some of the best riders in the UK and Europe showing their skills over the weekend.
Mark Webb will be on site, riding and driving so expect fireworks! Alex Coleborn will be joining Mark on the ramp along with Oakley way.

On top of that we will have in line skaters and scooter riders doing their thing.

With shows four times a day each day, the action won’t just be on the track but in the Inner Paddock area too.

 

Team Extreme Show Reel from Team Extreme on Vimeo.

Team event for Saturday night confirmed

As most of you will know, the Drift Matsuri events aren’t just a drift practice day.

There are additional elements to the events which make them stand out from our normal drift events.

This year we are delighted to announce the return of the popular ‘Team Triple Drift Competition’.

This will take place on the Outer Paddock on Saturday night under flood lights.

Teams of three cars will battle it out to see who will be crowned champions in 2018.

*** Only drivers who are taking part in the event may take part, no drafting people in ***

We have room for 16 teams only, we will do a live draw to see which lucky teams will be entering the competition.

The champagne is already on ice and the trophies for the winners are here waiting to be presented.

Who can take part in the event? We hear you ask.

ANY DRIVER who is driving at the event can take part!

Teams must be made up of three cars and drivers, you will drive together and be judged on your runs.

Who will be judging? The crowd will be the judges, we know the wall will be filled with people cheering on their drivers. We will have a panel of guest judges watching over the event who will give their opinion should there be a need for a One More Time.

To enter the event, you must fill in the following form with your team name and a list of drivers in your team.

Places will be limited, we will do a LIVE draw to see who will be the lucky teams to take part in the event.

You have 5 days to sort out your team names and the drivers in your team. Then submit your application and we will do the rest.

*** Drivers can only drive in one team ***

Get your strobes, neons and light bars ready to be part of the action!

Once the teams have been picked, we will start a Facebook group for the team captains where all the information you need for the event will be announced.

*** >>>Team Triple Drift entry form<<<***

 

Good luck!

How to book your ticket for the Spring Matsuri

Are you ready to book for THE Drift event to kick start the 2018 season?

We have had a number of enquiries regarding ticket sales, so we thought we would clarify everything before tickets go LIVE tomorrow and 8pm.

There are four driver tickets available.

 

  1.  Outer Paddock Saturday £99 driver only
  2.  Saturday Infield and Oval £179 driver plus one, both permitted to stay on site for the weekend.
  3.  Sunday Infield and Oval £179 driver plus one, the driver and guest allowed to arrive Friday or Saturday and stay over.
  4.  Weekend Driver ticket Infield and Oval £340 driver plus one.

 

** Tickets #2 #3 and #4 do not include the Outer Paddock **

Driver tickets can not be re sold, the driver named must be the driver using the ticket.

Driver tickets are refundable with a 20% fee up to March 4th at 8pm. There will be no refunds offered after this time.

Passengers
All passenger wristbands are £25 per day and are not included with any entry fees.

Spectators

Saturday

Saturday spectator tickets are £20 if bought in advance. You pay £30 and receive a £10 refund upon the removal of your wristband before 9.30pm on Saturday.
£25 on the day, £35 payable with £10 refund upon the removal of your wristband before 9.30pm on Saturday.

Weekend

A weekend spectator ticket is £30 if bought on line in advance or £35 on the gate.

Sunday

A Sunday ticket is £16.50 if bought in advance or £20 on the gate.

All spectator tickets are none refundable.

*** Please note, if you are not in possession of a valid ticket or wristband, you will not be granted access to the venue under any circumstances ***

The links you need to buy tickets

Buy tickets for Spring Matsuri 2018 Buy tickets for Spring Matsuri 2018 Buy tickets for Spring Matsuri 2018 Buy tickets for Spring Matsuri 2018

Spring Matsuri 2018 booking details

With the date now set in your diary, time for some information.

The details you all need for the event are as follows:

Tickets will go on sale on Sunday the 11th February 2017 at 8pm.

Details of where to buy tickets will be announced on Friday 9th February at 9pm.

Driver tickets 

Saturday

There will be a two types of driver tickets for Saturday;

The first will be for the Outer Paddock area ONLY. This will be the same track as used for round one of DriftCup on Sunday. A bespoke layout which will encourage proximity drifting. Places will be limited to ensure plenty of seat time for all – £99 (Driver only)

The second driver ticket will be for the Infield and Oval layouts – £179 (Driver + 1)

*** Saturday Outer Paddock driver ticket is a single ticket for the driver only *** This will allow the driver to attend as a spectator on Sunday.

Sunday and weekend tickets

You will be able to buy a driver ticket for Sunday – £179 (Drivers + 1)

A discounted driver ticket for the weekend – £340 (Driver + 1)

The driver MUST be named within 7 days

*** DRIVER TICKETS ARE NONE TRANSFERABLE – DRIVER TICKETS CAN NOT BE SOLD ***

Garages

Garages (24 available) that holds two cars for the weekend with access from Friday £100

Spectator tickets Online

A Saturday spectator ticket will be £20, £30 payable and a refund of £10 if the holder leaves site before 21.30 with removal of wristband.

A weekend spectator tickets will be £30 if bought in advance from the website.

A Sunday spectator ticket will be £16.50 if bought in advance from the website.

Spectator tickets on site

A Saturday ticket will be £25, £35 payable and a refund of £10 if the holder leaves site before 21.30 with removal of wristband.

A weekend spectator ticket will be £35

A Sunday ticket will be £20

*** All spectator tickets are none refundable ***

Passenger wristbands will be available for sale at £25 per day

Additional drivers will be charged £50 per day

Camping is free of charge for all

Drivers, if you buy two tickets or someone else pays for your ticket, you MUST tell us the drivers name. Tickets WILL BE REFUNDED if we are not told within 14 days!

Driver tickets are not to be sold or transferred. The person named must be the driver on the day. There will be a reserve list set up for those who miss out on buying a ticket.

*** RESERVE LIST ***

If you fail to secure a ticket, we will be operating a reserve list, to be placed on the reserve list you must send a message to us via the Drift Matsuri facebook page. Drivers will be placed on the list in the order of request.

The reserve list will not be started until all places have been sold. We will announce on Facebook once the event has sold out. No reserve list entries will be taken until this time.

Refunds

All driver and garage tickets:

A 75% refund will be granted up to and including Sunday the 4th March 2017.

No refunds will be offered after Sunday the 4th March 2017.

*** All spectator tickets are none refundable ***

The event will run an open pit lane policy on all tracks.

There will be a radio controlled drift track operating within one of the garages. If you have a radio controlled drift car then make sure you bring it with you.

Refreshments will be available on site in the cafe.

The event is for EVERYONE, whether you are drifting or not, this is the event to be at!

Cars do not need to be caged and drivers of any level are welcome due to the nature of four different tracks.

Helmets and seat belts are mandatory.

Car specification:

No oil or fluid leaks will be tolerated.
All vehicles must have front and rear functional tow hooks or straps present. BMW OEM screw-in tow hooks are not acceptable as they shear when pulled at an angle. If towing hooks/straps are not fitted, cars will be recovered by whatever means necessary and DM staff cannot be held liable for any damage caused.
All vehicles must be maintained to a satisfactory standard.
The noise limit is 105 DB at three-quarters throttle in a static test.
Cars must have at least 2 working rear brake lights.
Cars must start the day with both front and rear bumpers fitted.
Cars must have headlights or headlight covers and tail lights fitted into the factory positions and in reasonable condition.
Cars must have all factory glass or Perspex replacement windows (driver and passenger window glass can be replaced by approved netting).
Cars must have all panels present (including bonnet) and in reasonable condition without any sharp edges.
Rude or offensive stickers/number plates must not be fitted.
Cars may be subject to checks by Drift Matsuri staff at any point during an event and may be prohibited from using the track until any faults are rectified.
All decisions by Drift Matsuri staff are final.
Have a 1kg hand held fire extinguisher fitted

The official film from the Spring Drift Matsuri 2017

If you haven’t seen this on our Facebook page, you are in for a great 5 minutes of your life!

Jason Laroza took on the challenge of making a film in a different style.

Once you’ve watched this i think you will agree he has done the event proud.

Take sit, turn up the volume and enjoy!

Throw back Thursday! A look back at the Spring Matsuri 2016

We couldn’t look forward to the #SpringMatsuri without taking a look back at the action last year!

Sit back, turn up the volume and enjoy!

Bring on a weekend of epic proportions!

Whats on where

As we get set for THE drift event to kick off the season in style, we can now show you a sight plan so you know whats on where!

As you can see, as you arrive at the venue you will collect your tickets at the security hut when you arrive.

Make sure you have your order number with you.

If you are spectating, follow the signs for the spectator parking, this will lead you to the rear of the main grandstand.

In the middle of the main grandstand you will find the wonderful Diner that will be serving refreshments all weekend long.

There is a pedestrian walkway under the grandstand which will give you access to the inner pit area. Make sure you check out the view from the top of the pit garages!

In Garage 25/26/27 you will find the RC drift track set up, this will be a 1/10th scale replica of the Outer Paddock and HEL DriftCup track! If you have an RC drift car, bring it with you and have a go! There will be cars for you to have a go!

The half pipe will be set up in the inner paddock area where Webbie and his crew will be doing their thing!

From 16:30 the car park out side the welcome centre will become the Triple Drift paddock area,  make sure you leave this area free for the competitors!

After that there will be THE party in the Welcome Centre, Mike Lewis will be on hand playing some banging tunes until late!

On Sunday, HEL Performance DriftCup will get under way from 09:00 with practice! See the talent of tomorrow today!

Its going to be a fantastic weekend and an event NOT to be missed!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Whats going on!

As the event gets closer and closer, we can let you know what is going on at what times.

There will be drifting ALL day on both Saturday and Sunday!

RC drifting in garage 25/26/27

Mark Webb and his crew on a half pipe in the inner paddock area

The Team Triple Drift competition on Saturday evening

THE drift party in the Welcome Centre

On Sunday its more drifting on the Oval and Infield

Round one of HEL DriftCup in the outer paddock, who will make the grade and be eligible to take part in the British Drift Championship later in the month

Its going to be a weekend to remember!

Get your discounted tickets from the shop before they are removed on Thursday!

Tickets will be available on the gate.