Update: Drift racing organizers to bring ‘controlled chaos’ to Lewiston streets

LEWISTON — The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a “street drift” competition to be held on downtown streets next May.

Deputy City Administrator Phil Nadeau, with Justin Donnaruma and Ravi Jackson of Don’t Panic Consulting, presented a plan for the event, expected to draw 15,000 spectators.

“Urban-area drift races have been legally held in other countries, like New Zealand and Poland, but never in the U.S.,” Nadeau said. 

The 20- to 22-foot-wide track, which has been tested and vetted by a professional racer, would cover Lincoln and Oxford streets, with a pass through the parking garage at the corner of Mill Street, he said. 

The weekend event is scheduled for May 13 and 14, 2017. Tickets prices were estimated at $10 to $15. 

According to Tuesday’s presentation, drifting is a sport in which two cars travel together through a closed-off track, with one car leading and the other following. As they enter into a corner, the cars go into a controlled “skid” (drift) with the lead car dictating how the car following must also drift.

The track will be lined with 65-pound, water-filled barriers, allowing quick emergency access, according to the presentation. The barriers are built to withstand speeds of up to 65 mph, and the track would limit speeds to 57 mph. A crowd barrier would keep spectators at a safe distance.  

“(Nadeau) was very hesitant at first,” Donnaruma said, “but after a two-hour discussion in his office, he’s been working very hard with us ever since.”

Donnaruma is chief executive officer of Don’t Panic Consulting, which is promoting the event.

In other business:

• L/A Arts updated its cultural plan, which is close to being completed. The group is waiting to hear back from the Maine Arts Association on its application for a three-year, $75,000 “implementation grant,” which has been endorsed by Lewiston Mayor Bob Macdonald and Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte.

• The council approved adding a stop sign to Church Street.

• The council voted to rezone the even-numbered properties from 10 King Ave. to 108 King Ave. from the Community Business District to the Neighborhood Conservation “A” District.