Drift Matsuri 2026 – Report
The perfect storm?
Built to be the closing party to a packed race season for drifters, Drift Matsuri is the ultimate drift weekender in the UK.
Recently, part of the party involves tackling the ever-changing weather. We had a great Spring Drift Matsuri, the mid-season soirée, but the main headline drift festival in the eye of the great storm of October. Wow. Who knew you could hate a storm?
Image: keyfobandgob
The ethos of Drift Matsuri; Leave your ego at the door. Have fun, help others, smiles all round. And against Storm Boelo’s challenges, you can see the sheer determination from the drifters and their crews that nothing will stop them having the best weekend.
Images: keyfobandgob
Anglesey Circuit brings a certain magic in the air, I can’t quite pinpoint it. Whether it’s the picturesque scenery through the racetrack, or the buzz of my friends around me on track/in the pits/in Race Control/in the café, there’s something about Trac Môn that makes me smile.
If you’re new to Drift Matsuri, drivers had a choice of 3 drift tracks throughout the weekend:
- National – The fast track with sweeping bends and a banked hairpin to give spectators the ultimate view.
- Touge – Drivers navigate their cars through a technical uphill route to finish back downhill. A Japanese touge in Wales?!
- The Hairpin – Where drivers can test their mettle with backwards entries!
Images: danknightautomotive
These drivers weren’t fazed with the weather – tandems and trains galore, these were just some of the most amazing things we saw at Drift Matsuri 2026.
Images: danfowlerphoto
Rain and strong winds didn’t stop the action. Drivers showed their skills with ever-changing track conditions and the media team behind Drift Matsuri captured every moment. From tyre changes and engine tweaks, to minor corrections when sideways – they saw it all.
Images: _prismmedia
With the lunch break offering drivers the chance to rest, refuel and recharge, the energy went up a level. If you were there, you could see and feel the confidence in these drivers out on the track. They were pulling more angle, more revs, even more laps. It was jaw-dropping and insane to see.
Images: _prismmedia
With the weather not giving up without a fight, Drift Matsuri and Anglesey Circuit agreed that the annual fireworks display had to be cancelled, but the night time drifting to proceed.
This gave the drivers the chance to strut their stuff in the darkness, lit up by floodlights and neons – or if you are Haydn Cruickshank, an insane light and laser display that wowed fellow drivers and spectators.
Images: danknightautomotive
The night time drifting was spectacular, but also gave everyone a glimpse of what was in store for the next day; lap after lap you could hear the chatter.
“It looks like it’s drying up!”
They were right, spray diminished with each lap with tyre smoke and grip replacing the moisture. We were set for a dry and sunny day!
Image: knzi_media
Images: prphotographymotorsport
After the night time drifting, the Drift Matsuri awards were given out in the pit garage. Filled with laughter and the loudest of cheers, drivers were awarded with epic skateboard deck trophies – and a special one made for the man behind Drift Matsuri himself, Sweeps.
Emotions filled the pit garage so the DJ switched it up and kicked off the legendary Party in the Pits. This time round DJ Riddim Man Dean was on the decks pumping out a great mix of old and new party anthems, with the feedback from all the party goers certifying this as the best Party in the Pits night ever.
Images: paddygphotography
Images: danfowlerphoto, prphotographymotorsport
As for those living the Matsuri life well into the night, they were blessed with some media gifts such as these light-paint examples! Food was fooding, drinks were flowing, and those who were able to got their much needed slumber, recharging for the next day.
Images: benalbonephotography
Day 2 of Drift Matsuri 2026 came, the sunrise looked beautiful, our drivers and spectators were buzzing to get stuck in to another epic day. The drivers, their crews, staff and media were suitably energised and were absolutely up for another mega day of full sends, they’ve dealt with the worst weather, so it was time to deal with the best of it.
Image: danknightautomotive
Images: heathcoxphotography
Images: _prismmedia
Images: danielbridlephoto
Images: red6_motorsports
This was perhaps the most memorable Drift Matsuri in existence; battling through the weather, spending time with the best people and having a great time both on and off the track.
It was a true show of determination from the event organisers, Anglesey Circuit, the drivers, media, friends and family, all were hell-bent on making the weekend a roaring success.
Our big cheers go out to Anglesey Circuit/Trac Môn, the owners and their officials, the safety teams, security and marshals who braved the storm and was royally rewarded with the most beautiful Sunday, caterers. To every driver & your crews, a huge salute you. And to YOU the spectators at the weekend or online, THANK YOU.
Your support and joy is the reason we do this.
Image: keyfobandgob
Drift Matsuri, proudly supported by:
Auto Finesse | BC Racing UK | Garage-D | Gravity Performance | Walton Motorsport | Accelera UK
