What can I say about Ultrace that hasn’t already been said? It’s a true gathering of the best Europe and beyond have to offer. But ultimately, this show thrives because of the people: the visitors and the car builders. This year, builders came from all corners of the globe, including South Korea. The team known as Peaches brought their Hyundai Pony Drift car to the show.
Peaches is a fusion of cultures, blending fashion and automotive passion. With a store in Seoul and a strong online presence, they’re busy taking the world by storm. While photographing the car, I ran into an old friend, Larry Chen, with whom I had worked during my time at Speedhunters. He was filming a YouTube video, giving me the chance to take a closer look at the car’s interior.
The Hyundai Pony isn’t a car you’d typically associate with drifting, which might be exactly why Peaches chose this platform. For Koreans, the Pony is a workhorse, often used as a taxi or a first car for learning to drive. However, very little of the original car remains. Everything has been modified to create a competitive drift machine.
This is especially evident beneath the surface. A tubular frame has been constructed, over which the body is mounted. Attached to this frame is a custom-made suspension system. The 2-liter turbo engine drives the rear wheels, though I couldn’t find out how much horsepower it produces.
At Ultrace, there’s always an awards ceremony on Sunday for the top 16 cars, announced on Saturday. This year, the top honor went to the Hyundai Pony, unanimously chosen. Whether it was the right choice, I’ll leave to you. But I hope to see them again next year!
Almost forgot to mention that the design of the car was made by none other than Khyzyl Saleem.
