Drift Toy

Once regarded as an executive’s car, the Nissan Cefiro was a popular car in the early nineties when it was released. But now, the car is seen in a different light or in drift terms as a different approach angle. The once reserved and serious car is now being used as a project car for drifting because of its long wheelbase and rear wheel drive configuration.

Also in a different light is Atoy Llave of A-toy Bodykits who is more often known for his wild bodykit creations and extreme aesthetic modifications who is now into the performance scene as well. Being bitten by the drifting bug recently after he joined one of the drift clinics organized by the DMF Drift School, Llave has built his own drift car from a Nissan Cefiro.

However, a plain looking Cefiro would not be enough for him, so a custom widebody FRP aerodynamic bodykit and ground effects were added to the car to put the A-toy trademark on the car, while carbon-fiber aero mirrors and a carbon-fiber rear wing adds some contrast. Custom graphics made by Winner Graphics were also added to further enhance the car’s drift car appeal. The look is finished off with white ROTA P45Rs wrapped with Avon ZZ3 tires.

Under the hood is an RB25DET engine transplanted from a Nissan Skyline R32 GT-S. The intercooler from the R32 was also used and custom intake and exhaust pipes were done by Fremuff. Some additional parts are an HKS Super Mega Flow filter, Blitz blow-off valve and an Apex-i AFC Neo for instrumentation and minor fuel delivery tuning.

In the roadholding section, suspension is handled by a set of TEIN Type HA coilovers and a custom built rollcage. To further stiffen the chassis, it was also seam-welded by DMF. The brakes from the R32 were also transplanted to compensate for the engine’s extra power.

This is one mean car inside and out, and goes sideways. What more could you ask for?

Drifting in the Philippines

Early 2004, David M. Feliciano, or DMF as he is more commonly known as, decided that it was time to bring Drifting into the limelight of Philippine Motorsports. After 25 years of being involved in Slalom, Rally, Rally Cross and Autocross Racing, David (DMF) decided that it would be his legacy to bring Drifting to the Philippines. It was a brave but natural step for the once 13-year old boy who was already drifting in the zigzag roads of his hometown in Antipolo, even before it became a sport.

Realizing that his driving style was actually the motorsport craze in Japan, he then set-up a couple of AE86 for drifting and proceeded to teach his friends and fellow enthusiasts the basic skills needed to learn the sport and put them together to form the DMF DRIFT TEAM…they were composed of the pioneer drifters in the country that initially did demos to introduce the sport to spectators. David then transformed DMF Motorsports into what is now known as DMF DRIFT. It is an organization that would help even more in paving the way for new drifters and drivers interested in drifting.

DMF DRIFT is composed of 2 parts, the DMF DRIFT GARAGE, the first of its kind…a garage and shop in one that caters and specializes in drift cars, drift car set-ups and drift parts and the other one is the DMF DRIFT SCHOOL. It is the first and only drift school to date that is dedicated to teaching the basic skills needed in drifting to those who want to learn. DMF DRIFT ushered in a new set of highly-skilled drifters, and there are more to come.

David then used his resources and network of people over his years in the industry to get his dream, his legacy, up and running. DMF then thought of organizing Drift Events in the country. By the end of 2005, David put up (along with partners) Burnt Rubber Productions…a company that would focus on producing Drift themed Events. Today, Burnt Rubber has produced the successful Counter-Steer event with K-Lite 103.5, and the Lateral Drift Championship (Pro) Series which has been running since 2006 and the Amateur Drift Series that started early 2009.

Indeed, it can be said that DMF made his dream, his legacy come true. David M. Feliciano brought Drifting to the Philippines and it hit hard. It was without a doubt, a resounding success.