{"id":19631,"date":"2016-09-02T09:12:30","date_gmt":"2016-09-02T13:12:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=19631"},"modified":"2016-09-02T09:39:29","modified_gmt":"2016-09-02T13:39:29","slug":"cummins-miata-drift-car-build","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/cummins-miata-drift-car-build\/","title":{"rendered":"Cummins Miata drift car build to raise funds for HHS automotive program"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jacob Gettins loved high school and, in particular, his automotive class. So when he and some friends decided to build a drift car and film it for their YouTube channel, Pistonhead Productions<\/span><\/a>, they didn\u2019t just want to get local businesses involved, they wanted to get students involved, too.<\/p>\n

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Gettins had been talking to his former high school teacher who was worried about the way classes were getting combined and compressed. \u201cHe was worried that it would continue, so I met with the new automotive teacher and pitched the idea of a build that the kids could be involved in.\u201d The ultimate goal: to use the car to raise funds for the automotive program at Huntsville High School (HHS).<\/p>\n

For the uninitiated, a drift car is a type of race car that runs hard and fast, \u2018drifting\u2019, or sliding sideways, around corners. \u201cThe idea is to get as close to the car in front of you as possible and he\u2019s trying to get away from you,\u201d says Gettins. \u201cYou can do that by trying to go faster but you still have to be sliding, or you can try to get more angle so it\u2019s harder for him to match.\u201d Drivers are judged on how well they manage the slide.<\/p>\n

Drift cars are custom-built for their specific purpose and aren\u2019t street legal. A massive engine \u2013 which in this car is a modified Cummins diesel generator engine \u2013 and bare-bones interior lend themselves to speed as does the nitrous oxide which gives a boost of horsepower when needed. Dual brakes ensure the car will have no problems stopping. Extra bracing at the base of the frame supports the weight of the engine and transmission, which is from a Ford Super Duty truck. \u201cEverything except for the body has been custom made to do this,\u201d says Gettins.<\/p>\n

Many local companies jumped on board for the project with donations of manpower, money or tools. In addition to Northern Upfitters, CRS supplied tools for the build, Moose Delaney\u2019s catered the build weekend while Muskoka Roastery provided coffee, and The Sarjeant Co. offered financial support.<\/p>\n\n\t\t