Mad Mike Whiddett Drifts 1,200 HP Miata on Home Turf, 360-Degree Clip Is like a Shotgun Ride

Behind the wheel of his four-rotor, twin-turbo Miata (we heard the double “t” at the end of his name stands for twin-turbo), the drifter set out to burn some rubber on New Zealand’s Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell, Otago.

With the 26B Wankel delivering anywhere between 1,000 and 1,500 hp, Mad Mike shows tons and tons of stunts, with the jaw-dropping slip angles being on the house. Despite the Radbul’s wheelbase measuring a disadvantaging 91.7 inches (2,329 mm), Mad Mike has no problem with pulling sideways tricks at over 120 mph (200 km/h).

We had no idea Santa Claus now lives in New Zealand

In a move that can be considered a Christmas gift to drifting fans, a 360-degree video shot from on top of the car has now emerged.

This is as close as it gets to receiving a shotgun ride, which means you can see the pro slider at work. Spoiler alert - he uses the hydraulic handbrake more often than he breathes.

Since we mentioned Mad Mike’s US drifting year, here's what the smoking athlete has to say about his season: “Finishing up in the Top 10 for the 2015 Formula Drift World Championship, even after missing two rounds, well over exceeded our expectations! Massive thanks to my amazing team and partners!”

Those of you who prefer to stay outside this otherworldly MX-5 should check out the second video below, which gives us a more conventional take on the drifting action. If we may call it that.