"Mad" Mike Whiddett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mike Whiddett |
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_Madbul_RX7.JPG)
Whiddett's Mazda RX-7
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| Nationality |  New Zealander |
| Born | 10 January 1981 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Formula Drift | |
| Years active | 2010, 2015–2016 |
| Previous series | |
| 2015 | Stadium Super Trucks |
| Championship titles | |
| 2018 | Formula Drift Japan Series |
Michael Brandon Whiddett (born 10 January 1981), also known as "Mad Mike", is a famous New Zealand drifting racer. He is well-known for his exciting driving style. Mike is sponsored by Red Bull, a big energy drink company. Before drifting, he raced motocross from the age of six. He even placed second in the New Zealand 1997 Pro junior 85cc Motocross Champs.
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Mad Mike's Awesome Cars
Mike Whiddett has a very special connection with Mazda cars. He has been drifting in cars with Mazda engines since 2007. That is when he started his drifting career in a Mazda RX-7. All of his custom-built drift cars have cool, unique names.
Famous Drift Cars
- NIMBUL: This car is a Lamborghini Huracan. It has a special bodykit and makes around 800-900 horsepower.
- MADBUL: This is a Mazda RX-7. It has a very powerful 26B quad-rotor engine. In 2017, MADBUL got a new look. It was given the front end of a Mazda RX-3. This new car was then called MADBUL 7.3.
- BADBUL: This car is a Mazda RX-8. It features a 20B three-rotor turbo engine.
- HUMBUL: Another Mazda RX-7, HUMBUL has a 26B quad-rotor engine with twin turbos.
- RADBUL: This car is a Mazda MX-5. It also has a 26B quad-rotor engine with twin turbos.
- RADBUL Gen2: This is an updated Mazda MX-5. It uses body panels from the newer ND MX-5 model. It keeps the powerful 26B quad-rotor twin-turbo engine.
- RUMBUL: This is a Stadium Super Truck based on a Mazda B2000 pickup truck. It has a 13B twin-rotor engine.
- Mazda 787D: This is a custom drift car. It is inspired by the famous Mazda 787B race car. It has the world's first 5-rotor engine.
- MADMAC: This car is a custom McLaren 650S. It has a unique bodykit and a 20B three-rotor engine.
- BULLET: This is a 2022 Mazda3. It is being built with a 26B quad-rotor engine.
Mike also owns a Mazda REPU pickup truck. It has a 13B twin-rotor engine and is called PITBUL. He also has a Mazda Luce Sedan. This car is set up to carry up to three passengers and is known as MADCAB.
Future Projects
Mike Whiddett's newest project car is a 2022 Mazda 3. This car will have a quad-rotor Wankel engine that produces 1,200 horsepower. He is building this car to race in the famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. This race is a challenging climb up a mountain. Mike plans to race it for the race's 100th anniversary.
Mad Mike's Racing Adventures
Mike Whiddett has competed in many exciting racing series. He is known for his skill in Formula Drift. This is a top drifting competition in the United States. He raced there in 2010, 2015, and 2016. In 2010, he was even named the Most Improved Driver.
Drifting Championships
Mike has also competed in Formula D Asia and Formula D Japan. He made history by becoming the first professional Mazda driver to win a professional drifting championship.
- In 2018, he won the Formula Drift Japan Series championship.
- In 2017, he finished first at Okuibuki Motorsports Park in Formula Drift Japan.
- In 2016, he finished first at Ebisu Circuit West Course in Formula Drift Japan.
Off-Road Racing
In 2015, Mike also tried off-road racing. He participated in a Stadium Super Trucks race. This happened at the Sand Sports Super Show. He got this chance after meeting the series founder, Robby Gordon. Mike drove a truck for the weekend. He finished fourth in the first race. In the final race, he rolled his truck but still finished seventh.
Achievements and Awards
Mike Whiddett has achieved many great things in his racing career.
- In 2009, he finished first at Wonder World Amusement Park in the Formula Drift Asia series.
- In 2014, he was the first New Zealand drift driver to get an award from Motorsport New Zealand. This award was for his outstanding achievements.
- In 2015, he finished fifth at Irwindale Formula Drift. This was his highest finish in that series.
- In 2016, he finished first at Okayama International Circuit in the Formula Drift Japan series.
