1030kW Nissan GT-R scores world’s fastest drift (video)

NOW WE’RE TALKING SIDEWAYS! Masato Kawabata at Dubai airport on his way to the world drifting record in his Nissan GT-R. Image: Nissan/Motorpress

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Nissan has set the a Guinnes world record for the fastest car-drifting.

The record was broken by Masato Kawabata, the Japanese drifting champion and title-holder for the Japanese Drifting series, with a speed of 304.96km/h at a 30-degree angle.

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The car? A specially-tuned 2016 Nissan GT-R. The place? A special event at Fujairah International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. The previous record-holder? Jakub Przygoński of Poland.

The record-breaking Nissan GT-R was developed with the support and co-ordination of Nismo specialists and tuned to 1030kW and adapted so all the power went to the rear wheels.

The GT-R was prepared by GReddy Trust and tested extensively at Japan’s Fuji Speedway by Kawabata. Nissan says it was set up for agility while maintaining stability and confidence-inspiring handling – essential, the automaker said, for performing such feats.

Samir Cherfan, managing director of Nissan Middle East, told The Corner through a media release: “Once again, Nissan has broken a Guinnes record and made history for the fifth time in the Middle East.

“The Nissan GT-R, one of the world’s most iconic supercars, has proved time and again the incredible breadth of its capabilities and has clearly demonstrated its performance leadership by beating the best drift cars.”

‘WHY DUBAI? LONG RUNWAY WAS WHY…’

Fujairah airport was chosen for its three-kilometre runway, sufficient for the record attempt.

Support was also provided by technicians and logistics personnel from the Prodrift Academy, Recaro for the driver’s seat, RAYS for the light alloy wheel-rims and Toyo Tires for the drift tyres that were specially designed for this stunt.