The Stuff of Legends: Jason's Driftmaster S13

If you hang out in the automotive world, you'll mostly find two types of cars. The first types are show queens, perfect looking cars, not a scratch on their thousand-dollar paint job, with nice and shiny parts under the hood and perfect upholstery inside. These cars are the stuff dreams are made of, but to me, they lack something. That something is what the second type of cars have: a history. Scratched paint, cracked bodykits, used up leather on the steering wheel, the side of the seat peeling off due to too many in and outs, dirty engine bays, and, very often, half of the driver's life thrown in the raw, gutted rear are part of the things that give such cars a Soul. 

This is what makes a car priceless, especially to the owner who, when looking at a taped up part of a bumper, can remember how and when it happened.

Cars like these are not to be featured in an empty place or closed road; they belong on the open road, mixed in the crowd. That's where they "grew up" and this is also where they will die.

This S13 is such a car. Her story begins three years ago, when Jason bought this second hand 200SX after his desire to learn drifting won him over. Choosing the S13 for its low price, abundant aftermarket support and overall affinity with drifting, Jason asked Perfect Power Performance at Autobay Kaki Bukit to help him with the build, and about half a year later, this drift car was born. 

With the support of GT Radial for the tyres, Jason then started learning how to drift and ever since that time, has been spotted training and competing at many events in Malaysia and Singapore, racing under the colors of his very own Team Driftmasters.

His first donuts in January 2008 in Kulai Malaysia have seen him improve his control on his trustworthy S13 and this Nissan has seen, over the last two years, the asphalt of over 15 events, ranging from drift demos such as the Asia Auto Salon 2009, to major drifting events like Formula Drift Singapore 2010 and the Mettle Games 2010. 

Over the months and events, Jason has managed to get a good series of sponsors for his 200SX too, continuing his partnership with GT Radial, but also getting endorsed by LiquiMoly Singapore, DOTZ Wheels Asia Pacific, GEN Concepts, Oakley, Asia Apparels and Red Bull Singapore, with the Wings Team. 

Sadly, after all this fame and events, pride and hardships, this S13 is nearing the end of her life, and is due to be scrapped soon, due to Singapore laws. Her chassis is tired and softened due to the strain of this very demanding motorsport, her body is cracked and scratched, riveted and taped up, holes are appearing all over the undercarriage, preyed on by rust, but when you sit in the passenger seat, with Jason at the wheel, none of these matter, this car gives it all, and will continue to do so until the day she has to be taken off the road. And when that day will come, just by looking at this car and all her imperfections, you'll know that she took her owner for one hell of a ride. That, to me, is the Stuff of Legends.

Now, to all the show queens (and their owners) out there, stop boasting, and give this S13 the respect she deserves.