We’re incredibly proud to unveil our Hand-Controlled Drift Car, specially designed for disabled veterans. A huge thank you to Autozone, Z1 Motorsports, and Duralast for their invaluable support in making this project a reality. With their help, we’re now able to offer drift classes to disabled veterans, giving them the opportunity to experience the thrill of drifting using our custom-built Hand-Controlled Drift Car!

Our Hand-Controlled Drift Car turned out to be more achievable than we initially expected. We started with a Nissan 370Z, an automatic model we were already familiar with. The biggest hurdle we faced was figuring out how to control the throttle with our hands. After extensive research and numerous calls, we were introduced to Featherlight, a company specializing in hand controls for vehicles. With their expertise, they were able to design a custom solution that integrated seamlessly with the car’s OEM systems.

Featherlight offers a range of hand control options, but for our project, we chose a twist throttle setup. This system featured a lever that connected to the brake pedal, allowing us to control both the throttle and the brakes with the same hand—making it intuitive and easy to operate. Once we had the hand control system in place, we outfitted the car with a drift suspension, transforming it into a fully capable drift machine.

“Our Hand-Controlled Drift Car was built using the same high-quality parts we rely on for our school fleet and student builds.

**Engine** – We kept the engine close to factory specifications but re-gasketed it using gaskets sourced from our local Autozone. This ensures we avoid any oiling issues while maintaining reliability during heavy use.

**Intakes** – For this 370Z, we opted for cold air intakes from Z1 Motorsports. The 370Z chassis tends to run hot, so drawing air from outside the engine bay helps keep temperatures down, allowing our students to stay in the car longer without overheating.

**Oil Coolers** – To further enhance cooling, we added an oil cooler from Z1 Motorsports, ensuring the car runs at optimal temperatures even during intense drifting sessions.

**Brakes** – We installed Duralast Gold rear calipers, rotors, and pads to ensure the car has reliable braking power. We’ve found that colder brake pads work better for drifting, providing optimal bite without needing extra heat, which is crucial for maintaining control during high-intensity drifts.

**Wheels** – To complete the look and match the purpose of our project, we outfitted the car with a set of Kansai KNP wheels. These not only offer great performance but also highlight the custom livery we designed to represent the heart of this project.”