On prime of capturing all one of the best bits of Gatebil’s 2024 Foremost Occasion at Rudskogen Motorsenter in Norway, I had one other objective this yr: Driving in a pro-spec drift machine.
Asking a random stranger if I may very well be a passenger is one thing that I’m dangerous at. However then I remembered – I’ve loads of buddies driving at Gatebil. I may ask anybody.
With Saturday’s drift classes in full swing, I stationed myself at that well-known drift initiation spot on Rudskogen’s fundamental straight to pick a automotive.
I say this yearly, however standing on this spot, with solely a skinny metallic barrier to guard you from drift vehicles approaching at over 200km/h, is exhilarating. It didn’t take me lengthy to know which driver I needed to journey with.
Behold Olav Haugen Hasdal‘s Mercedes-Benz A-Class, powered by a twin-turbo BMW V8 producing 700hp.
I’ve watched Olav compete at Gatebil occasions for a number of years, and he was joyful to assist make my drift passenger dream a actuality. I stated goodbye to the life I as soon as knew, and we headed out on observe.
It didn’t take lengthy for Olav to catch as much as the pack. We rapidly transitioned into full tandem mode, with drivers Odd-Helge Helstad in his 2JZ S14.5 main, adopted by Max Vonka in his ex-D1 Grand Prix Nissan Silvia S15, and Max’s brother Ludvik Vonka in his grassroots S15.
After a number of corners operating wild with the S-chassis trio, I started to know why folks dedicate their lives to this sport. Nothing compares to the feeling of g-forces pushing you into your seat because the entrance finish of the automotive takes a course you’re not accustomed to.
Earlier than I may give it extra thought, we exited Paris Nook in tandem and headed for Rudskogen’s fundamental straight.
I attempted taking an image of the speedometer, which learn 210km/h earlier than Olav initiated towards the metal barrier and threw his Mercedes into the primary nook, backwards. All I may do was clench my digicam between my legs and hope for one of the best.
Ludvik finally caught up with us, and we accomplished the remaining laps with extra of the identical.
Fully dumbfounded by what I had simply skilled, all I may do as we headed for the pits was exclaim the phrase ‘insane’ in Swedish, over and over. After thanking Olav for the passenger journey of a lifetime, I took off the racing go well with that had been lent to me – which was surprisingly dry – and tried to make sense of the expertise.
It took me a second to calm my adrenaline-fueled physique. Strolling by the paddock and chatting with some fellow Icelanders helped.
As soon as the warmth dies down within the latter phases of the day, the Gatebil’s Present Backyard is all the time value trying out. Right here, present vehicles from all throughout Scandinavia fill the go-kart observe beneath the primary circuit.
German automotive manufacturers appear to dominate this facet of the Gatebil, with one clear favourite amongst homeowners: BMW. This M240i on RAYS Volk Racing TE37s was a standout for me.
In fact, being Scandinavia, there’s all the time love for Volvo too.
The identical goes for Japanese vehicles, even when the entry costs for fashions like this inventory Euro-spec Mazda RX-7 are now stratospheric.
Fortunately although, there are nonetheless folks keen to customise them, which I absolutely help.
One in every of Gatebil’s most iconic sub-events is the Breisladden, or power-slide competitors. This yr, over 130 drivers lined up for Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session, which you is perhaps shocked to study was not a document quantity. Nevertheless, it ensured a prolonged and thrilling competitors.
In contrast to the Tremendous 3, the place groups of three drivers drift as shut to one another as potential, the Breisladden is about people attaining one of the best slide whereas sustaining angle and pace. However this yr, the rain resulted in a considerably completely different dynamic with automotive management turning into paramount.
Some drivers turned the Breisladden right into a spectacle. Slower speeds allowed for spectacular maneuvers, akin to one-handed drifts. I even witnessed one driver take away and wave his steering wheel whereas drifting.
The state of affairs grew to become much more dire as water pooled on the observe. Even the Audis had a tough time doing their well-known all-wheel drive drifts.
It didn’t cease the drivers from having an absolute blast, although. As the ultimate vehicles began making their qualifying runs I known as it a day; the rain was bucketing down.
After I woke the following morning for the ultimate day of the occasion, the climate had not improved. The rain had absolutely set in, and everybody had resigned themselves to the actual fact the Breisladden last can be contested within the moist.
Whereas I don’t wish to sound overly damaging, it was a tragic sight. The stands have been practically empty and the hype had nearly gone. That was till I noticed the Norwegian madman Morten Lyngøy. You have got higher odds of successful the lottery than seeing this man with no smile on his face.
Drivers have been lined up, tires considerably warmed up, and it was time for me to savor the ultimate moments at Gatebil’s 2024 Foremost Occasion.
The highest three – Morten Lyngøy in third, Ole Morten Davanger in 2nd, and Odd-Helge Helstad in 1st place had no issues tackling the moist observe.
I had my doubts concerning the ultimate Gatebil Excessive race. However I wasn’t shocked when the 30-odd vehicles blew previous with water rooster tails behind them.
With this a lot water and horsepower mixed, off-track excursions have been anticipated. Thankfully, there have been no main incidents.
Mads Siljehaug clinched victory as soon as once more, securing first place forward of Mr. Gatebil Excessive himself, Kai Roger Bakken.
It’s all the time a bizarre feeling seeing the final observe group obtain their prizes. It’s nearly to pack your luggage and head residence.
The six-hour drive again to Stockholm, Sweden gave me time to replicate on one of the best Scandinavian occasion on the summer season calendar. As all the time, Gatebil’s Foremost Occasion delivered – even with atrocious climate this time round. I’ve nonetheless received extra from the occasion to share with you too, so keep tuned for that.
Subsequent yr, Gatebil will head to Germany, with a brand new occasion going down at Circuit Meppen in Decrease Saxony. I actually can’t wait to indicate the Germans how Scandinavians social gathering, Gatebil type. Lass uns gehen!
Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa
