Mazda Philippines is out to prove the power and versatility of its pickups as it unveiled the BT-50 drift truck to celebrate its fifth anniversary.
"The Mazda BT-50 drift truck is a great way to showcase the toughness and handling of our new pick-up truck", said Prudz Castillo, brand manager of Mazda Philippines.
The BT-50, released in October 2008, comes in two-wheel and four-wheel drive models.
Two BT-50 drift trucks especially designed to compete in Philippine drift events this year are of the two-wheel drive kind that is powered by a 2.5-liter engine that packs 143 horses at 3500rpm.
"Drifting as a sport is gaining a wider following among motoring enthusiasts and we felt that developing the country's first drift truck would certainly be a head-turner", Castillo added.
The drift trucks will be handled by the Tuason Racing School drift team composed of motor sports veteran JP Tuason, and expert drivers Mike Tuason, Francisco Blanco and Audel Sison.