On top of capturing all one of the best bits of Gatebil’s 2024 Major Event at Rudskogen Motorsenter in Norway, I had one other goal this 12 months: Riding in a pro-spec drift machine.
Asking a random stranger if I might be a passenger is something that I’m bad at. But then I remembered – I even have loads of friends driving at Gatebil. I could ask anyone.
With Saturday’s drift sessions in full swing, I stationed myself at that famous drift initiation spot on Rudskogen’s fundamental straight to pick a automobile.
I say this yearly, but standing on this spot, with only a skinny metal barrier to guard you from drift cars approaching at over 200km/h, is exhilarating. It didn’t take me long to know which driver I desired to ride 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 events for a couple of years, and he was blissful to assist make my drift passenger dream a reality. I said goodbye to the life I once knew, and we headed out heading in the right direction.
It didn’t take long for Olav to catch as much as the pack. We quickly transitioned into full tandem mode, with drivers Odd-Helge Helstad in his 2JZ S14.5 leading, followed by Max Vonka in his ex-D1 Grand Prix Nissan Silvia S15, and Max’s brother Ludvik Vonka in his grassroots S15.
After a couple of corners running wild with the S-chassis trio, I started to know why people dedicate their lives to this sport. Nothing compares to the feeling of g-forces pushing you into your seat because the front end of the automobile takes a direction you’re not accustomed to.
Before I could give it more thought, we exited Paris Corner in tandem and headed for Rudskogen’s fundamental straight.
I attempted taking an image of the speedometer, which read 210km/h before Olav initiated toward the steel barrier and threw his Mercedes into the primary corner, backwards. All I could do was clench my camera between my legs and hope for one of the best.
Ludvik eventually caught up with us, and we accomplished the remaining laps with more of the identical.
Completely dumbfounded by what I had just experienced, all I could do as we headed for the pits was exclaim the word ‘insane’ in Swedish, over and all over again. After thanking Olav for the passenger ride of a lifetime, I took off the racing suit that had been lent to me – which was surprisingly dry – and tried to make sense of the experience.
It took me a moment to calm my adrenaline-fueled body. Walking through the paddock and chatting with some fellow Icelanders helped.
Once the warmth dies down within the latter stages of the day, the Gatebil’s Show Garden is at all times price trying out. Here, show cars from all across Scandinavia fill the go-kart track below the fundamental circuit.
German automobile brands appear to dominate this side of the Gatebil, with one clear favorite amongst owners: BMW. This M240i on RAYS Volk Racing TE37s was a standout for me.
In fact, being Scandinavia, there’s at all times love for Volvo too.
The identical goes for Japanese cars, even when the entry prices for models like this stock Euro-spec Mazda RX-7 are now stratospheric.
Thankfully though, there are still people willing to customize them, which I fully support.
Considered one of Gatebil’s most iconic sub-events is the Breisladden, or power-slide competition. This 12 months, over 130 drivers lined up for Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session, which you could be surprised to learn was not a record number. Nevertheless, it ensured a lengthy and exciting competition.
Unlike the Super 3, where teams of three drivers drift as close to one another as possible, the Breisladden is about individuals achieving one of the best slide while maintaining angle and speed. But this 12 months, the rain resulted in a somewhat different dynamic with automobile control becoming paramount.
Some drivers turned the Breisladden right into a spectacle. Slower speeds allowed for impressive maneuvers, similar to one-handed drifts. I even witnessed one driver remove and wave his steering wheel while drifting.
The situation became much more dire as water pooled on the track. Even the Audis had a rough time doing their famous all-wheel drive drifts.
It didn’t stop the drivers from having an absolute blast, though. As the ultimate cars began making their qualifying runs I called it a day; the rain was bucketing down.
Once I woke the subsequent morning for the ultimate day of the event, the weather had not improved. The rain had fully set in, and everybody had resigned themselves to the actual fact the Breisladden final can be contested within the wet.
While I don’t wish to sound overly negative, it was a tragic sight. The stands were nearly empty and the hype had almost gone. That was until I spotted the Norwegian madman Morten Lyngøy. You could have higher odds of winning the lottery than seeing this guy with no smile on his face.
Drivers were lined up, tires somewhat warmed up, and it was time for me to savor the ultimate moments at Gatebil’s 2024 Major Event.
The highest three – Morten Lyngøy in third, Ole Morten Davanger in 2nd, and Odd-Helge Helstad in 1st place had no problems tackling the wet track.
I had my doubts regarding the ultimate Gatebil Extreme race. But I wasn’t surprised when the 30-odd cars blew past with water rooster tails behind them.
With this much water and horsepower combined, off-track excursions were expected. Fortunately, there have been no major incidents.
Mads Siljehaug clinched victory once more, securing first place ahead of Mr. Gatebil Extreme himself, Kai Roger Bakken.
It’s at all times a weird feeling seeing the last track group receive their prizes. It’s almost to pack your bags and head home.
The six-hour drive back to Stockholm, Sweden gave me time to reflect on one of the best Scandinavian event on the summer calendar. As at all times, Gatebil’s Major Event delivered – even with atrocious weather this time around. I’ve still got more from the event to share with you too, so stay tuned for that.
Next 12 months, Gatebil will head to Germany, with a brand new event going down at Circuit Meppen in Lower Saxony. I actually can’t wait to indicate the Germans how Scandinavians party, Gatebil style. Lass uns gehen!
Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
