By Mohalenyane Phakela
MASERU — Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana and South African car drifters are set to clash in the
Battle of the Nations Spin And Drift show to be held at Mahem Raceway in Pretoria on March 1.
Local car drifter Lithebe Tlali, driving a BMW 318i box-shaped 1991 model (Gusheshe) will be
representing Lesotho against Botswana’s Sheriff and General, Team Swazi from Swaziland and
an array of spinners from South Africa, featuring the likes of Sarah –– The Lady Spinner, Slip
& Slide Maniacs and Sosh Spin Kings, to name a few.
Speaking to the Weekender on Tuesday, Tlali said he will display the most bizarre performance
to earn the respect of his peers.
“The event will see the best drifters from around South Africa and beyond,” he said. “I will be the only drifter representing Lesotho so I will ensure that I earn local spinners the respect they deserve.
“The competition will be tight as I have never drifted against most of them and it will be my first time on Mahem Raceway.”
“But the challenges I have participated in have given me a lot of experience so they have boosted
my ego and confidence; I will give it my all that day,” he said.
Most people perceive car drifting as a sport for daredevils, but it has become more like second
nature for Mabote-born Tlali.
“I am passionate about car-spinning and drifting. I follow it as a sport, a form of entertainment and, most of all, it helped me meet drifters from different countries.
“Drifting has kept me busy as I always have to practice outstanding manoeuvres on a sober mind.”
“Although the event is a battle, there are no prizes to be won but just to entertain people for them to see what each country has to offer in terms of car drifting and spinning,” Tlali said.
