Dino Child, a Vegas-based event planner, wants everybody to experience the thrill of drift racing. So he equipped his 1991 Nissan Laurel with four racing seats and painted it like an old-school Checker cab. Now enthusiasts curious about drifting can hitch a ride.
Child said:
You can see people flock to the lot when a drifting starts up. But when they can ride in a car, it is entirely a different experience.
Child brought his Nissan drift taxi to Holley LS Fest West - opens in new window or tab. last weekend. The event, presented by eBay Motors, is an extravaganza that features unique builder cars, drag and drifting races, and a rubber-burning donut pit. Anything goes, as long as the power comes from the LS engine. With four race seats in the car, up to three passengers at a time can go for a spin with Child.
A 485-HP JDM Drift Taxi
Child imported the right-hand-drive Nissan Laurel specifically to convert it for drifting. He promptly swapped in an LS1 Chevy engine that produces 485 horsepower at the rear wheels. The engine was so reliable that he now plans on putting an LS2 in his other drift taxis—a Dodge Hellcat Charger and Infiniti G35 sedan.
The ride-providing Nissan rows through gears with a four-speed dog box transmission - opens in new window or tab.. Child also installed a Winters quick-change rear end - opens in new window or tab. so he can alter the gear ratio based on the course.
When Child first took the Nissan for a drive, he instinctively reached for the shifter and hand brake with his right hand. But after a few rides, he learned to grab the controls to the left.
The impresario attended Holley LS Fest West mostly to offer demos in his taxi. But he also participated in the drift competition and was happy to reach the Top 16. He said that his rear tires usually need replacing after two rounds on the drift course, while the fronts might last the whole weekend.
More Fun, Less Money
Child started his company, Gatsby Racing - opens in new window or tab., to get racing fans involved with drifting. He spent 14 years enjoying road racing before switching to drift sports. “It focuses more on the driver and less on a high-dollar budget,” he explained.
Child travels with his three vehicles (and a crew of five people) nearly every weekend. He will soon take a trip to three drifting championship events in Mexico. Organizers of those events invited him to bring the drift-racing taxis. Child is keeping count of the number of people who take a ride in his taxis and then get into drift racing. He's been responsible for about eight new drift adherents in the past year alone.
Child said:
I love motorsports and want to see it grow.
He’s constantly on the road but makes sure to return home to Las Vegas for the holidays. Every year, he sponsors a two-day event called “The Merry Driftmas Toy Drive.” It brings together the community to donate toys to needy families while demonstrating the skills and thrills of drift racing.
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