ROCKINGHAM — Tires will be smoking at Rockingham Speedway this weekend as MB Drift slides into its fourth season at the track.
The grassroots series will host its annual Spring Matsuri March 23-24, giving drivers the opportunity to build and test their drifting skills on both the curves of the infield road course and the banked turns of the Little Rock.
Organizers are planning to use several traditional layouts — including the heart-shaped Kokoro Circuit and the No. 3-shaped Dale Lane, named in honor of the late Dale Earnhardt who had three Cup Series and four Xfinity (formerly Busch) Series wins, as well as a K&N Pro Series victory at the Rock — as well as a few new configurations.
Although the competitive season doesn’t start until next month, Driftaholic Racing is holding the Doorbanger’s Ball — a winner-take-all shootout — at the Little Rock on Sunday.
Joe Busam, 2021 season champ, won last year’s Little Rock Shootout. Busam has been called one of the most consistent drivers in the series, coming in second overall in 2022 and 2023, and making it to the podium seven times in 12 rounds.
Gates open at 8:30 both days, with the main track going hot at noon and Little Rock at 12:30 on Saturday; practice for the shootout starts at 9:30 a.m. The evening will feature night drifting and live music from Fayetteville-based band Hydryver.
On Sunday, practice for the Doorbanger’s Ball starts at 9:30 a.m., with qualifying at 1 p.m. and the competition at 2 p.m. The main track will be open from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
No outside alcohol is allowed, but the track will be selling beer and have a full bar.
This season’s competitive events are April 27-28, June 1-2 and Aug. 24-25; with a Summer Matsuri July 27-28 and the annual Halloween Havoc closing out the year Oct. 19-20.
Having swept the 2023 season, last year’s winner Nick Abbott is prohibited by the MB Drift rulebook from competing in 2024 and he will be required to petition to compete in future years.
Abbott and 2022 season winner Justin Bauer are planning to compete in the Formula Drift Pro-AM series this year.
During non-competition times, free ride-alongs are available for spectators 18 and older.
MB Drift is also looking for volunteers (flaggers, cone runners, staging) for the upcoming season. Non-driving volunteers will get a free lunch, drinks provided during volunteer hours, two free entries for a friend and free camping on site. Those interested can contact mbdriftzach@gmail.com
MB Drift has called the Rock home since the closing of Myrtle Beach Speedway in 2020 — with NASCAR driver Alex Bowman making an appearance at 2021’s Icebreaker Challenge.
Across the street at Rockingham Dragway, organizers made the call Wednesday morning to cancel Dig or Die: Flashlight Fiesta 4, which was scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights.
However, the Dragway will host Import Face-Off on Sunday, featuring a car show, drag racing, stereo contest, burnout contest, a 2-step competition and low car limbo. Racing starts at 10 a.m.
