Braselton – On Saturday, Oct. 18, drift cars from across the country packed into Lanier Raceway for one of the premier grassroots drifting events of the year. Cosmic Drift—hosted by David Patterson, better known as That Dude in Blue—lit up the track with neon lights, thumping music, and clouds of tire smoke that doubled as fog for a laser show.

Unlike street “takeover” culture, these drivers brought their cars to a proper racetrack with proper safety equipment, keeping the thrills safe and legal while giving fans the chance to experience thrilling motorsport at its finest. From local amateurs to out-of-state professionals, every driver arrived with the same goal: have fun and put on a show. Driver registration filled up a week early, and hillside and paddock parking sold out days before the event.

Drivers Take the Spotlight

Engines roared to life as cars took to the track, and by 8 p.m., the halftime show was in full swing. Fan-favorite drift games like The Table Game, where drivers attempt to stop as close as possible to a folding table, and Drift Limbo, which challenges cars to slide through a narrowing cone gap, had the stands full and the paddock buzzing with energy. In the midst of it all, some drivers took the time to speak with us about why they do what they do and the community around it.

For Galib Dzebo, one of the drivers, drifting is about more than just speed and smoke.

“Drifting has pushed me to be better as a person and, at the end of it all, it’s saved me. It’s taught me to be patient, curious to always learn, to accept feedback, and to keep pushing—leveling up in my career and knowledge. It’s also brought so many people into my life that I didn’t think I’d meet, and it’s led to some unforgettable experiences. From meeting those people, it brings the community together—the ability to push each other, try new things, and be there for one another. After a while, you learn to be a family, helping whoever needs it and giving feedback where it’s needed so this can grow big and stay around like all the other motorsports.”

He also shared the joy of giving newcomers their first drifting experience:

“It feels like when Squidward tried Krabby Patties for the first time, you know? It’s always so exciting, and you’re trying to give them an experience they can remember for a lifetime and try it out. That way more people can be a part of it and grow the sport!”

Austin, a driver with Iggnit Style Garage, spoke about the thrill of giving ride-alongs and the unique appeal of drifting itself.

“It feels like in The Matrix when Morpheus gave Neo the red pill. I get to open people’s eyes to a whole world they’ve only been able to see from the outside, but with me they get to truly experience it. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve given their first ride to and then get messages weeks later saying they went out and bought a car. Drifting is the most expressive version of motorsport. The car can be anything you want—it just needs to spin the back wheels. And because of that, no two cars here are the same. That’s what brings all these people out—there’s something here for everyone.”

Community & Camaraderie

Bryana, another driver in the Atlanta drift scene, shared what drifting means to her and how the community supports one another.

“Drifting is my vice. It brings a smile to my face, it feeds my soul. Through drifting, I have learned to not only be a better driver, but to be a better person. Drifting has taught me to have patience, empathy, and to be kind to myself as well as others. It has showed me my strengths, as well as weaknesses, and I’m constantly learning more. The Atlanta drift community has something different about it. From providing feedback and advice to help other drivers grow, to making sure that if someone breaks down, we work together to find a solution so everyone can enjoy their seat time, our drift community has it all. There’s a different level of camaraderie in drifting that you may not find anywhere else. I’ve made some of the most incredible friends through this sport, and will be forever grateful.”

She also spoke about diversity and encouragement:

“I can honestly say I don’t notice a difference being a woman that drifts. The community has been so welcoming to me and so many others. It’s all about supporting and encouraging one another to get outside of their comfort zone. I will always root for everyone, especially my fellow ladies, to try something that scares you. It may just be the best thing you’ve ever done.”

On giving ride-alongs:

“Nothing in the world makes me happier than getting to share new experiences with new people. I’ve learned that giving others a glimpse into my world, even just for a ride-along, can change someone’s trajectory in life. One of my favorite moments is when a lady hops into my car and realizes that I’m another girl, driving like a madman, and it’s enough to spark a conversation of, ‘so what’s holding you back?’ The realization in that moment that everyone can be a part of this sport is an incredible feeling.”

Behind the Scenes

Matt Martin, team manager of Iggnit Style Garage and one of the event organizers, reflected on the growth of Cosmic Drift.

“Cosmic has always been David’s passion project, and over the past three years we’ve helped turn it into reality. What makes it different is that it’s just as much driver-focused as spectator-focused. The lights, tunnel, and music give drivers something more to look forward to, making it spectacular rather than just seat time. This year, we had a sold-out paddock, hillside, and spectator areas—I’ve never seen anything like it.”

He also praised the community for keeping the event running smoothly:

“Driver spots sold out first, followed by Hillside and Paddock. After the event, we learned some people were parking and walking from Road Atlanta because there were no spots left. With 140 drivers, everything ran smoothly all day. Seeing the community come together to support David and the event was incredible. He’s always putting in the effort to make each Cosmic better than the last, and this year set a high bar.”

Fans Feel the Community

For spectators like Ivy Brooke, drifting is as much about the people as it is the cars.

“The community in itself is just one big happy family. I respect it. As someone who just watches and takes the occasional photo, it’s cool to see everyone having a good time and doing what they love to do,” she said.

 

Q&A: David Patterson on Building a Dream — Cosmic Drift 2025

You’ve always called Cosmic your “big passion project.” When did you first start envisioning turning a massive rave festival like Electric Daisy into a drift event?

“I’ve always been a huge concert-goer, especially of dance music. It came to me when I was standing on top of a racetrack’s rumble strip while watching a set by Kaskade in Vegas. I said to myself, ‘Sure, this is an amazing experience—but it would be insane to drive a race car through here in this style of environment.’ The idea came from there—but truthfully, I had no idea at the time it would even be doable, even at a fairly small scale. I think the hard part for me was trying to create something that was undeniably different in the car community, while not making it an exclusive experience. I wanted anybody to be able to come and enjoy it and make it accessible.”

The event sold out across the board and even caused a traffic backup that none of us realized was happening because we were having such a good time. Did you expect that kind of turnout?

“It’s always extremely hard to tell before the event what the true attendance is going to be—even with online ticket sales. Most people who came each year bought tickets the day of the event at the gate—so it’s always a pretty big gamble. I was absolutely astounded at the attendance this year though. Honestly, I could barely believe what I was seeing. I don’t remember the last time that venue was that packed. People were being turned away at the gate—which is a wild thing to think about. I’m just still so stoked that so many people were curious enough or excited enough to check out my wild event idea that seemed to resonate with them.”

What’s your reaction when you see how many new people discover drifting through Cosmic or your YouTube channel?

“During Cosmic Drift this year I asked many people where they were from, what they thought of the event, and their overall experience. The most shocking result was that a massive portion of people I talked to had never been to a track event or a drift event their entire lives—with Cosmic Drift being their first. I wanted Cosmic Drift to be friendly for drivers and spectators regardless of how much they knew about cars, car culture, and what it’s all about. It’s extremely rewarding to introduce people into the community and make a wacky world come to life they can be a part of—rather than just another day at a racetrack.”

What do you think sets the Atlanta/Lanier drift scene apart from others in the U.S.?

“The Atlanta scene has one thing a lot of other cities don’t have—the huge legacy in American drifting. Formula Drift coming to Road Atlanta in the 2000s was a massive part of the culture here. It’s an ever-evolving scene that always manages to keep going no matter the hardships. From the days of Turner Field, Import Alliance at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and of course Lanier—you’ll find passionate drivers everywhere. I think the crossover between road course racing and drifting is incredible as well. We’re insanely lucky to have the places to go enjoy our automotive hobby in this part of the U.S. Not to mention, the people are just awesome. Southern hospitality is 100% a real thing. Anybody is willing to get in the passenger seat of a newcomer and teach them all day long.”

What’s next for Cosmic Drift? Do you already have ideas for Year 4?

“With the recent ownership changes at Lanier—it’s a little bit of a gray area. I’d be open to trying it at other venues as well. I had even thought about possibly taking it on the road in the future, but nothing is set in stone. Either way, I have the Atlanta and Lanier drift community to thank for coming out to support my crazy event. At the end of the day, I couldn’t be more thankful.”

A Cosmic Sendoff to a Beloved Racetrack

With Cosmic Drift 2025 in the books, Lanier Raceway once again proved why it’s one of the top grassroots drifting venues in the Southeast—where passion, skill, and camaraderie collide under the glow of southern stars and, once a year, cosmic lights.

 

Photos Courtesy of Cory Self, @TracksidePerspective