1991 Nissan 240SX - Modified Magazine

Drifting is a crazy sport. When you think about it on a purely conceptual level, it doesn't really make sense in a traditional racing mindset. What exactly was going through the heads of the Japanese drivers in the late '70s when they decided to try to lose rear-end traction at high speed around corners? And to do it on purpose? Maybe too much sake the night before. Sounds ludicrous, yet at the same time it sounds incredibly cool. What began as a way for drivers to preserve speed through corners in circuit racing has morphed into a beast all its own, and the last several decades have brought drifting across the Pacific and into the mainstream across the globe.

The entire concept of driving sideways defies logic to almost anyone-that's the sort of thing we were taught to avoid back in driver's education. But then there are guys like Stew Leask for whom the thrill of going fast and sideways is too addicting to stay away from.

The car seen before you is not Stew's first build. After running a S14 competitively for several years, he decided to change a few things with the new car. The main reason behind choosing the S13 chassis was cost effectiveness. They are easy to find, cheap to buy and quick to repair-these are all good qualities to look for when buying a car that very well may run into a wall at 60 mph. After finally locating a worthy S13 coupe, Stew wanted to build this car right the first time, so it was torn apart and revamped from the ground up.

Precise handling is critical for any type of race car, and drifting is no different. The suspension of Stew's S13 is based on knowledge he gained from his previous car. Sticking with what works for him, TEIN Super Drift coilovers were selected and paired with an EDFC for in-cabin adjustments on the fly. TEIN inner and outer tie rods, Battle Version tension and traction arms, SPL rear upper control arms, toe arms and solid aluminum subframe bushings, as well as a custom strengthened and gusseted rear subframe keep the car dialed in and true to line. A set of staggered white Volk TE37 wheels (17x9-inch +0 up front, 18x10.5-inch +15 in back) wrapped in Dunlop rubber keep the footwork proper, while Project Mu big brakes ensure plenty of stopping power is on tap when the need arises.

1991 Nissan 240Sx Recaro SPG Bucket Seats

The cabin of Stew's car is a sight to be seen-all but the bare essentials have been removed. A Battle Version six-point rollcage is there to protect in case of an emergency, and it also helps to stiffen the chassis for improved performance on track. The driver and passenger are held tightly in place by Recaro SPG bucket seats and Willans six-point harnesses (the last thing you need during a race is the distracting feeling of floating around in a stock seat). The interior is filled with a vast array of esoteric lights, switches, dials and gauges that provide Stew with critical numbers and data as he drives; a custom gauge cluster with a Defi tach, STRI water temp, oil pressure and voltage gauges, as well as a Moroso switch panel and the aforementioned TEIN EDFC provide clear information during the heat of a drift battle.