BMW Brings German-flavor Drifting to Carlisle Nationals
Loads of stylish & unique bimmers flocked to Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals.
The 2018 Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals took place in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, from May 18 to 20 and featured the most exotic, show-worthy gems of the past, present and future of the collector car world. It was a fun-filled day of racing, live mechanical demonstrations, drifting, burnouts, and so much more.
Aside from the ever-popular burnout contests at Carlisle Events, the new “Drift Limbo,” where contestants try to drift from one end of the circuit to another while passing through a pair of equally-spaced traffic cones, also attracted a large crowd. The space between the cones diminishes with each competitor knockout. This year’s crown went to Dave Roberts and his 1993 BMW 325IS, which may have been the highlight BMW car of the entire event.
Roberts’ “Sinister” BMW 325IS was created by the macabre vision of the Sinister Drift Team. It was a victim of an electrical fire that broke out in one of the Sinister Drift Team’s garages in August 2017 while Roberts and his fellow team member, A.J. Popovich, were inside. There were five vehicles, and only Robert’s 335IS and Popovich’s Mustang survived.
Not seeing them as total losses, the team restyled these two vehicles, seemingly drawing cues from American thrash metal band Slayer. Aside from the logo, the “blood red” semi-paint job and seemingly “rotten” appearance make for hellishly-unique appearance. To us, it reminds of the song “Dead Skin Mask” by the Los Angeles-based metal act. It’s also missing its front bumper, almost as if it is jawless, further adding to the horror aspect and making it a definite head-turner.
Carlisle decided to up the ante with the “Rolling Exhaust” contest by adding two qualifying rounds before the grand finale. This competition features contestants showing off their gnarly-sounding tailpipes by accelerating up the hill to the north side of the grounds. The vehicle with the best overall sound takes the prize.
Seminars drew crowds as well, like “Legends of Design,” which included panelists reminiscing on their most profound experiences about the Jags and Astons that were displayed.
There was also a restoration expert forum, and a live exhibition of a Citroen being disassembled and reassembled.
The swap meet and car corral, typically the driving force for the event, will return next year along with more great cars from around the globe. Click here for more info on next year’s events.
Join the 5Series forums now!
