Drifters keep fans hooked with TV series

Conceptualised during the Covid-19 lockdown when all sporting events were cancelled, the team from XS Promotions decided to showcase the sport they love in an innovative way through a television series called Driftfari.

As soon as lockdown restrictions were eased, a small crew hit the road and commenced an epic tour across the country to film stunts that have never been performed in South Africa before and take viewers behind the scenes to visit the workshops, showrooms and race tracks of one of South Africa’s best-loved enterprises.

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The founders of XS Promotions are Jim Mc Farlane and Mike Skelton.

Farlane lived in Benoni for 18 years before relocating to Sandton.

“It was Mike’s idea, as we needed to give back to the sponsors we had, to run events, but we couldn’t due to Covid-19…until now,” Farlane explained.

The series is being aired on DStv with the first episode flighted on October 24, and is still running with six episodes making up the first season.

“It’s about four people doing a safari-style tour, drifting on roads, at harbours and all sorts of amazing places, all while doing cool stunts and challenges.

“It’s a bit of a combination of Top Gear and Gas Monkey,” he explained.

The drivers/drifters are Jim Mc Farlane (Benoni), Mike Skelton (Northcliff), Eric van Eyssen (Hillcrest KZN) and Stacey Lee May (Eldorado Park).

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“It is amazing to drift on such incredible mountain passes, race tracks and even at a harbour.

“This is something I have dreamed about doing for a long time so it will definitely be an ongoing series,” said Skelton.

“We will be looking at more shows next year, going into season two,” he said.

Driftfari is being aired on Ignition TV, DStv channel 189 and the final episode for this year will be aired on November 28.