Mike
Whiddett
New Zealand
·
Drifting
Date of birth | 10 January 1981 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | New Zealand |
Age | 45 |
Nationality | New Zealand |
Career start | 2008 |
Disciplines | Drift Racing |
Coming from a motocross background, New Zealand-born Mike Whiddett made a major impact in the drift scene when he released his Red Bull-branded, specially-modified 515bhp ‘MADBUL’ Mazda RX-7 and then the rotary-engined 'BADBUL' RX-8.
Mike made the switch from competing pro in FMX to drifting in 2006. Since then, he's had a string of successful years in drifting. Mike's competed in two pro-spec drift cars, and regards his drifting career as a full-time job. It's one which takes him all over the globe. With a huge following in the NZ drift community, he always takes the time to talk with as many fans as possible.
As a talented driver he pushes both himself and his car to the limits every time he takes to the track. This was most evident during his performance at the Red Bull World Drifting Championships in LA, where Mike made his way into the Great Eight.
In 2014, Whiddett was responsible for creating yet another drifting wondercar – the 1,000bhp Mazda MX-5, named RADBUL as it follows in the tyre tracks of MADBUL and BADBUL, with the car taking the drift world by storm during 2015.
More recent highlights include drifting the UK's infamous 'Magic Roundabout' in Swindon and a trip to South Africa, where BADBUL entertained the crowds at Wheels of Fury in Cape Town and took on the Franschhoek Pass at 248kph.
Mad Mike has even made his own TV show, so be sure to check out the Red Bull TV series that follows him as he converts a Lamborghini Huracán into a drift supercar for the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Mike says he loves racing anything that’s loud, fast and dangerous, so look out for him tearing it up on his next adventure.