Drifting demonstration for Claresholm Fair Days gets enthusiastic support from council

By Lawrence Gleason, Local Press Writer

The Rocky Mountain Drift Club will be putting on a demonstration of the motor sport of “drifting” during the next Claresholm Fair Days.

Drifting is a sport that has its origins in Japan. Cars skid and swerve as drivers drive cars at high speeds while cornering. The sport has caught on world-wide.

A section of Claresholm’s streets will be used for the drifting demonstration, with support from town council, with conditions to make it as safe as possible.

This year’s planned demonstration follows up on a drifting demonstration last year on the morning before the Claresholm Fair Days parade. The Rocky Mount Drift Club then hosted a one-hour demonstration on 2nd Street East with 10 different drift cars and drivers. The event attracted about 100 people.

“I attended last year, there were a lot of people there, I think it will be bigger this year,” said Mayor Doug McPherson. “It is only 45 minutes, but it was a great addition to our Fair Days.”

The president of the Rocky Mountain Drift Club, Jason Toone, wrote Claresholm town council and also described the 2018 event and how it went over.

“The turnout for the event was great, the drivers and spectators gathered for the early morning entertainment,” Toone wrote, adding, “Much consideration has been given to the possible locations as well as the safety of drivers, pedestrians, participants, and spectators.”

The Town of Claresholm granted permission for the demonstration, with conditions.

The conditions include a requirement for a viewing area with barriers for spectators and volunteers taking care of crowd control must wear high visibility vests.

There will be up to six professional drivers demonstrating the sport of drifting for about 45 minutes. The site is planned to take place on 2nd Street East near the truck wash, like last year.