For many automotive fanatics in India, the artwork type of drifting in all probability got here from the well-known Quick and Livid film, Tokyo DriftWatching automobiles slide by means of corners, abandoning clouds of tire smoke and management, captured the creativeness of followers, and lots of tried to tug it off themselves to change into the “drift king” of their good friend teams, However India already has its very personal drift king — Sanam Sekhon — who has earned a spot within the Guinness World Information,
Sanam’s expertise converse for themselves, as judges in varied competitions have praised him for his automotive management, precision drifting, and dealing with of oversteer. These elements got here in clutch for the 37-year-old when he grew to become the first-ever champion on the inaugural JK Tire Drift ProblemIndia’s first official drifting competitors. He gained each the D1 and D2 classes in his customized Lexus GS 300 to be named the drift king of the nation. Whereas speaking to India At present completely, the query was requested if he ought to be referred to by his nickname.
“I feel Sanam’s good (laughs),” mentioned the person from Chandigarh, who has motorsports in his blood.
His father was a military man and a rally driver himself, and younger Sanam used to accompany his dad to lots of the races.
“My dad used to rally and he rallied with JK as nicely. He rallied in Germany, London, a few locations. He used to rally for the Indian workforce additionally. I feel it someway kicked off from there as a result of I used to go to his begin races and finish races, typically the rallies additionally. And sure, I feel it started from there. It was all the time enjoyable watching all of the automobiles go on the phases. Earlier than drifting, I used to be all the time doing one thing with solely automobiles. It was both JK stunt automobiles or JK racing — one thing associated to this subject I’ve all the time been in and round automobiles principally,” mentioned Sanam.
The Begin of Drifting
For Sanam, drifting got here into his life as a little bit of an accident. He recalled how he executed his first drift completely and realized how he had an edge over others.
“The primary time I did a drift was lengthy again in my good friend’s automotive. We accomplished it unexpectedly, and each of us checked out one another like, ‘Wow!’ He mentioned he needed to strive too, and what I did in a minute took him 10–quarter-hour. That is once I realized I had a bit further edge. We known as just a few extra associates who have been into automobiles, they usually additionally took time whereas I shortly tailored — it began from there,” mentioned Sanam.
The drift king revealed that this wasn’t the type of motorsport he had in thoughts at first, however accessibility was a key consider swaying him into it.
“Actually, it was not the plan. Racing could be very costly — single-seaters and observe racing particularly. Not that drifting is reasonable both, nevertheless it was extra simply accessible. For racing, you want a observe, timing, marshals programs; for rallying, you want correct phases. However for drifting, in the event you get to an empty car parking zone, put some markers, and follow precision, you get an concept whether or not you are good at it or nonetheless making an attempt. So I feel that manner it was. Barely simpler to do issues,” mentioned Sanam.
So what makes an ideal drift for Sanam?
“A variety of tire smoke, a number of steering angle, and nice velocity. That is in all probability the right method to put it. It does not matter in the event you’re inside or exterior the nook — depends upon the way you mark it. However yeah, angle, velocity, and smoke — that is an amazing drift,” mentioned Sanam.
The Pushback
In the case of drifting, there may be all the time that stigma linked to it, as many really feel it’s a type of rash driving. Sanam mentioned that whereas he began off in empty parking heaps and away from the general public, his household instructed him to maintain it that manner and keep out of hassle.
“After we first began drifting in that car parking zone, I knew I needed to construct a automotive for myself. Once I instructed my household, the one factor they mentioned was, ‘Please do not do something on public roads the place you will find yourself in hassle.’ I took that critically. So I all the time knowledgeable the police if I used to be utilizing an empty car parking zone — in the event that they agreed, good; if not, we might discover one other place. It is a lot safer that manner and you’ll focus with out worrying about stepping into hassle,” mentioned Sanam.
Regardless of informing the authorities and being on the best aspect, Sanam mentioned that there was nonetheless pushback from the higher-ups, who weren’t very open to the idea.
“You must clarify quite a bit as a result of motorsport in India is not widespread, and authorities do not actually perceive it. I might inform them what precisely I am doing, guarantee them it is cordoned off and protected, and that no public roads are concerned. If you happen to’re clear about it, it normally works out,” mentioned Sanam.
The drift king wasn’t able to fall into the entice of being swayed by public opinion and mentioned his want was all the time to proceed doing what he cherished.
“It is individuals’s mindset. Some will all the time see the unfavourable. However does their considering have an effect on what makes me glad? No. So long as I do know I am taking security precautions and never endangering anybody, I am going to preserve doing what I like. Society will all the time have opinions,” mentioned Sanam.
Amidst all this, his long-standing affiliation with JK Tires made him understand that there was a safer method to do drifting on the observe.
“After we’re younger, all of us need to drive quick, rashly even. JK made me understand there is a protected, skilled method to do it. They gave me that surroundings — tracks, race automobiles, security — and that actually guided me in the best route,” mentioned Sanam.
Breaking the World Report
So why has Sanam discovered himself with sudden fame? Effectively, he drifted his manner into the Guinness World Information for the best altitude drift by a automotive, which he achieved on July 31, 2025, at Umling La Move in Ladakh — the best motorable highway on this planet. The drift was accomplished at 5,798 meters (19,023 ft), and it was a highway Sanam was already aware of.
“I have been touring to Leh for 16–17 years, virtually yearly. After drifting got here into the image, I assumed, why not strive one thing there? It is some of the scenic locations I’ve seen, and being the best motorable move on this planet, it made sense to do one thing particular,” mentioned Sanam.
But it surely wasn’t just like the tarmac he would discover on a observe, the place the surroundings is managed. At Umling La, the roads have been tough, with little area and oxygen for each man and machine.
“As soon as we acquired to Umling La, it did not look very promising — tough roads, little area, and hardly any oxygen for each people and automobiles! We really deliberate it final 12 months, however acquired delayed resulting from snow. Fortunately, this 12 months we had a transparent window and completed simply earlier than heavy snow hit just a few days later. We have been fortunate,” mentioned Sanam.
Sanam detailed the preparations he put in, not only for himself however for a workforce of greater than 20. Then he acquired his favourite Lexus GS 300, personalized to go well with the altitude.
“I put the workforce collectively final 12 months. Instructed everybody — hit the health club, do cardio, play sports activities, keep match. For the automotive, we had a tuner from Thailand who personalized a number of issues for the altitude since we ran an aftermarket ECM. We additionally modified suspension settings after the primary few runs — the floor was bumpier than anticipated. It was like rally plus drift mixed. However we needed to make it work with what we had,” mentioned Sanam.
The King’s Legacy
In the case of the legacy he desires to construct and the objectives he has set, Sanam retains it sensible. He understands that being a part of motorsports is an costly affair, however he hopes to make everybody in India take discover of the game on the worldwide stage.
“I attempt to keep sensible. Fairly than setting a objective and getting upset later, I concentrate on funds and planning. However yeah, if I can put this on the world map and get on worldwide podiums — that’ll be nice. Being a part of a acknowledged world collection could be the top,” mentioned Sanam.
“I hope drifting reaches the extent of the large worldwide occasions — like within the US, Europe, and Asia. That’ll pull out hidden expertise and produce technical information too. You’ll be able to have ability, however your machine must assist you. We’d like simpler import guidelines for sports activities automobiles and observe automobiles, at the very least for motorsport functions. That might actually assist the game develop in the best route.”
In the case of how drifting can enhance in India, Sanam hopes that younger expertise will get area to hone their expertise and that extra drifting occasions happen.
“Actually, it does not take a lot area to do one thing enjoyable. Occasions can all the time preserve an space for native guys who need to strive drifting safely. That is how you discover hidden expertise — like how I began. We additionally want extra devoted drifting occasions, not simply drag and autocross, to assist the game develop,” mentioned Sanam.
The drift king additionally instructed younger racers to remain off public roads however have enjoyable in a protected surroundings.
“Please strive issues, and preserve it off public roads. Do it in the best, protected surroundings. Do not make this your job — preserve it as a pastime, and it will all the time keep enjoyable,” mentioned Sanam.
As we have been winding up, it made sense to ask Sanam how he was on public roads. And the drift king answered it in essentially the most nonchalant style.
“Actually, I do not drive (laughs). I am going to both ask a good friend to drive or take a cab. There’s a lot site visitors you may’t even get out of third gear! I principally transfer round on my Vespa — it is the simplest manner round city,” mentioned Sanam.
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