Braselton – On Saturday, Oct. 18, drift cars from across the country packed into Lanier Raceway for one of the premier grassroots drifting events of the year. Cosmic Drift—hosted by David Patterson, better known as That Dude in Blue—lit up the track with neon lights, thumping music, and clouds of tire smoke that doubled as fog for a laser show.
Unlike street “takeover” culture, these drivers brought their cars to a proper racetrack with proper safety equipment, keeping the thrills safe and legal while giving fans the chance to experience thrilling motorsport at its finest. From local amateurs to out-of-state professionals, every driver arrived with the same goal: have fun and put on a show. Driver registration filled up a week early, and hillside and paddock parking sold out days before the event.
Drivers Take the Spotlight
Engines roared to life as cars took to the track, and by 8 p.m., the halftime show was in full swing. Fan-favorite drift games like The Table Game, where drivers attempt to stop as close as possible to a folding table, and Drift Limbo, which challenges cars to slide through a narrowing cone gap, had the stands full and the paddock buzzing with energy. In the midst of it all, some drivers took the time to speak with us about why they do what they do and the community around it.
For Galib Dzebo, one of the drivers, drifting is about more than just speed and smoke.
“Drifting has pushed me to be better as a person and, at the end of it all, it’s saved me. It’s taught me to be patient, curious to always learn, to accept feedback, and to keep pushing—leveling up in my career and knowledge. It’s also brought so many people into my life that I didn’t think I’d meet, and it’s led to some unforgettable experiences. From meeting those people, it brings the community together—the ability to push each other, try new things, and be there for one another. After a while, you learn to be a family, helping whoever needs it and giving feedback where it’s needed so this can grow big and stay around like all the other motorsports.”
He also shared the joy of giving newcomers their first drifting experience:…