Name: Ernest Simpson

Date of Birth: 26 January 1975

Hometown: Nigel

Car Specifications: Nissan Silvia S13
Toyota 2JZ-GTE
1000cc injectors, T61 turbo (1.2bar boost)
Tein drift suspension

Sponsors: Nigel Motor Spares (service parts)
Frix – All mods, servicing, etc
He’s not a sponsor, but always helps, I would not be where I am without his help and knowledge: Hannes Frans.

When did you start drifting?
End 2009

Where did you start drifting?
Duh! At The Rock!!!

You’re the drivers’ rep at The Rock Raceway; how does that change a race day for you? What sort of issues do you need to contend with?
Well, it does make life a bit more…ummmm challenging. I have guys secretly coming to talk to me about issues they are not happy with or something they don’t understand
(sometimes at the most impossible times). I am glad to help anyone out and sort out the misunderstanding. The more everyone knows the better.

You lost your competition car just before the season started. How did that change the way you approached the 2011 season?
My sleep became a lot less, worked till late every night to put the new car together.
Lots of friends were willing to help though. It was then off to Hannes Frans for the engine gearbox etc. and in the end, I have a much better car! So, it all worked out fine in the end. I halved the population of S13 Silvia’s in SA when I lost the first one!

How does the new car compare to the old?
The new car feels slightly lighter, but a lot more solid, probably due to the new roll cage.
Also, I feel a lot more confident in the new car.

What’s one of your scarier moments behind the wheel?
Hmmmm, I think hitting the wall on my first time on the track. Not nice. It was a new experience, but not something you want to do. The wall is hard.
It took about 3 months for me to recover mentally when drifting close to the walls.
I still stay pretty far away from them (unlike Hannes)

Who inspires you?
Now that is a difficult question to answer. Let me think about that one.
Tim Stephens for putting himself out there for all of us guys. Without him and the track, where would we be?
I get inspiration from most of the drivers, ‘cause each driver is different and has their own style. Hannes Frans’ and all his input… always helps.
Once you get to know the drivers well enough, you can even tell when he/she has had a bad or good day by seeing their drift style change accordingly.

Which driver, do you most like doing tandem runs with?
Hmmm… Hannes and I are becoming pretty close… on the track that is.
You get to know the way they drift, and you gain confidence to get close to them on a tandem run. I enjoy drifting with David Nell, Lee-Roy, Riaan  – enough!

Lead or follow?
I prefer to follow, I learn a lot more.

What are you looking to accomplish in 2011?
I am drifting ‘cause it is such a great motor sport, I have made many new awesome friends. I am going to give it my best, but I am there mostly for the love and fun of the sport.