With the 2021 season well underway, there’s just enough time to take a closer look at our drivers – How To Become A Champion. Today, we caught up with Italy drifting specialist Massimo Nascetti, after winning first place in the 2021 Drift National Series organized by ACSI Motorsport, to discuss his journey up to this point.
MXR: Congratulations on winning the Drift National Series 2021! What was the Drift like?
Massimo: The 2021 Drift National Series took place in 4 rounds in Italy. It was very competitive. Almost 50 drift cars were entered in the last round. I won 3 rounds of 4 and took home the 2021 championship trophy.
MXR: Tell us about yourself. During your years’ drifting on the circuit, what have you learned?
Massimo: I started drifting about 19 years ago for fun, and now drifting has become my job. I have one of the best-known drifting schools in Italy, the Drift Arena. Now I drift with my team every weekend.
MXR: Tell us a bit more about your drift car?
Massimo: I have 2 drifting cars, a BMW m3 e36 3.2 and a Nissan s13. Both are heavily modified. The BMW engine has various racing components such as camshafts, forged pistons, AEM tuning, carbon airbox. The Nissan engine is an RB25 stroker of around 600hp.
MXR: How does the MaXpeedingRods GT3076-SD turbo feel on your drift car?
Massimo: The MaXpeedingRods racing GT3076-SD is a nice turbo for my Nissan RB25 engine, working very well and resistant, and the price is very advantageous when compared to other models of the same configuration.
MXR: Who is your drifting role model?
Massimo: My drifting role models are all the best drifters in the world that I regularly follow in competitions like Formula D, Drift Master, RDS GP. I can learn lots of drive secrets from them to develop my drive skill.
MXR: Can you remember what your first car was?
Massimo: My first drift car was an Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo. I used it for several years before switching to BMW.
MXR: When did you become aware that you would have the opportunity to race at a high level?
Massimo: I understood this when over time I started to feel more and more the car under my control.
MXR: Tell us a bit more about your Drift Arena team?
Massimo: The Drift Arena team was born thanks to the students of the school, transformed from neophytes to professional pilots and with the desire to race. At each race, we help and collaborate to get the best result as much as possible. The drifting school becomes very important for me to teach drift and develop pilots.
MXR: For a drifter, how important is having some mechanical knowledge?
Massimo: A driver must be skimmed in mechanical knowledge to understand the changes to be made on the car and understand and solve the problems of both the set-up and the engine.
MXR: What would you say as the key factors to becoming a successful drifter for all those aspiring drifters out there?
Massimo: The secret to becoming a successful drifter is to drive often and study the driving style of the best drifters.
MXR: Do you have any goals for 2022?
Massimo: I will prepare in the best way for the 2022 championship.
MXR: Last question, what track do you enjoy the most in Italy?
Massimo: Mugello Circuit is the most beautiful track in the world.
