Related Stories

• Eoin Gubbins in conversation with Eamonn Ryan
  
  
• Tommy O’Donnell’s take on diet, exercise and the future of rugby
  
  
• Ending of another great year for Kildorrery Karate Club
  
  
• Spectacular end to memorable year for Ballylanders GAA Club
  
  
• Swimmers bring medals home to Kilworth
  
  
• Munster Racquetball Championship win for Denis Power
  
  
• No let up in activity at Araglin Racquetball Club
  
  
• Historic first for Colm Jordan & Fermoy Handball Club
  
  
• Kilworth lady to run for Crumlin in New York City marathon
  
  
• Mitchelstown CBS are Munster champions
  
  
• Haulie’s memory honoured in Glanworth
  
  
• Willie McCarthy crowned Champion Jockey in America
  
  

Ahmed Dahem and James Deane in Dubai after they broke the Guinness World Record for the World’s longest tandem drift.

Castletownroche drifter James Deane has shot to global fame after breaking a Guinness World Record for the longest tandem drift in Dubai, just before Christmas.

James, who has won much acclaim for his drifting success in Ireland and across the world, joined Ahmad Daham for the world record attempt in the Middle East, which coincided with the launch of the Nissan 370Z Drift Experience in Dubai. The world record involved the two cars drifting in tandem for 45 minutes for 28km, with James in the chase car.

James was offered the chance to take part about two weeks before the record attempt took place on December 14 by the Prodrift Academy in the Middle East and Nissan.

"Of course I was interested, it was a new challenge and I'd get to work with Nissan who were providing their new sports car, the Nissan 370Z," he said, speaking to The Avondhu after he had returned home to a warm welcome from family and friends. 

The two drivers completed the challenge four times in 24 hours for Guinness officials and then for the media. James said that it was both 'physically and mentally challenging'.

"There was a hell of a lot of driving and a lot of steering, as we transitioned five times a minute. I had to stay focused and as the chaser, I was constantly adapting to Ahmad's speed and lines. It was hard physically and mentally, but I'm glad we managed to pull it off."

James stressed that in a tandem event like that, teamwork is vital, but doing something like that in Dubai made it even more challenging.

"The desert was a big challenge. The temperatures were very high and we were in full racing suits with helmets and gloves on. We also had to have the heaters in the cars on to keep the engine cool. If we did it at home, it would have been easier, as it would have been cooler and it would probably have been raining, so we wouldn't have had to wet the track, but doing it in Dubai brought a lot of new challenges."

While getting the world record was a huge achievement, James said that it doesn't compare to victory in the European Drift Championships, where a year's worth of work pays off on the podium.

For the 2015 season, James will be taking part in the European drift series and if there are no date clashes, he hopes to take part in a few events at home as well.

blog comments powered by Disqus