ROCKINGHAM — The motorsports season slides in this weekend with drifting action at both of Richmond County’s legendary tracks.
MB Drift returns to Rockingham Speedway March 8-9 for its annual Spring Matsuri, giving drivers seat time to work on 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 layouts — including the full-track Flat Touge 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 May, Driftaholic Racing is holding the Door Bangers Ball — a winner-take-all shootout — at the Little Rock on Sunday.
If the contest draws 32 drivers, the payout will be $3,200. Other prizes include: a $500 Stage Wheels voucher for purchase of a set of four wheels at MSRP; a $300 On Point Parts gift card; and Dyno sessions by Cruzin Auto Performance.
Gray Champion leads a run with Anton Shenderov in the 2024 Door Bangers Ball at the Little Rock.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
Last year’s winner, Gray Champion, placed fifth overall for MB Drift’s 2024 season.
Gates open at 8:30 a.m. both days, with the road course going hot at noon and action starting at Little Rock at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. There will also be night drifting until 10 p.m., as well as live music in the Papa Joe Hendrick Garage.
On Sunday, the main track opens at 10:30 a.m., with the shootout at Little Rock starting at noon.
During non-competition times, free ride-alongs are available for spectators 18 and older at each event.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the grassroots drifting organization and its fifth at Rockingham.
The series, established in 2005, ran its first 15 years at Myrtle Beach Speedway in South Carolina — until that track was shuttered in late 2020. The organizers, including co-founder Marshall Eggerling, found a new home at the Rock, kicking off its 2021 season with a subtle appearance by NASCAR driver Alex Bowman.
This season’s competitive events are May 3-4, June 14-15 and Aug. 30-31; with a Summer Matsuri July 19-20 and the annual Halloween Havoc closing out the year Oct. 25-26.
Erick Cruzin zips along the Rockingham Speedway road course for night drifting in 2024.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
Andy Lacause-Wright secured back-to-back wins in last year’s final two rounds to take home the season title.
Two drifters, Alex Bradley and Derick Gaskins, also compete in the Crown 9 Series at the Rock, which starts March 22.
Across the highway, Rockingham Dragway will host Legal Pit Warzone: March Madness. Gates open at 1 p.m. and the pit goes hot from 2-7 p.m.
See the MB Drift and Rockingham Dragway Facebook pages for more information.
