Name: Hayden Horton
Nickname: The Reverend Hayden Horton Heat (thanks to Mr.Matt Petty)
Date of Birth: April 15th
Hometown: Concord, NC
Years Drifting: 6
Drift Car(s): ’93 240sx Coupe / Nissan 350z
Personal Cars: ’02 Subaru WRX Impreza/’05 Dodge Ram 2500 / ’98 BMW M3
Favorite Track: Virginia International Raceway
Team Affiliation: ASD MOB – (View Website) / Ministry Of Drift – (View Website)
Contact: hhorton@haydenhorton.com / Facebook / Twitter
I grew up surrounded by Motorsports. Living in North Carolina, right in the heart of Nascar country ignited a passion for cars and Motorsports for me that has only continued to flourish in my adult life. I built my first car while still in high school, a 2002 Subaru WRX Impreza. In 2006 I began taking it to track days at Carolina Motorsports Park and Virginia International Raceway. However my first experience with drifting came earlier in 2002, when I attended Hyperfest at Charlotte Motor Speeway. I immediately fell in love with the sport and wanted to learn more.
I bought my current S chassis in 2006, and with little to no modifications besides coilovers and a differential, participated in my first event in Greensboro, NC soon after. In the years that followed I spent as much time behind the wheel at as many events as possible, often spending weekends driving hours away from home to participate in events as far away as NOPI Drift in St.Louis, Missouri. In 2008, I began to modify the car for track use only, adding a rollcage and aiming to create a solid foundation to continue progressing as a driver. I spent the 2008-2009 season dialing in the car and continuing to particpate in as many events as I could. I have had many great opportunities in the process, including participating in three demos for Hopt Import Nights as well as working with South East Drift to help organize events in the North Carolina area.
2009 saw the first real onset of a constant local series for North Carolina with the arrival of Streetwise Drift. These events proved to be beneficial for me, as it made enjoying seat time much more within reach without driving hours away from home. For the 2010 season, I competed in the Streetwise Drift Formula D ProAM series with a goal of obtaining Formula D licensing or an invitiation to the ProAM nationals at Irwindale in October. I succeeded in obtaining an invite to the Irwindale ProAM nationals and look forward to what the 2011 season has in store for me.
I have had many great experiences being involved with Drifting in the Southeast and have had the opportunity to meet many great people. I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to all those who have helped me along the way, especially to my crew who have supported me since day one. I hope to continue to help impact the grassroots Drifting scene in the North Carolina area and hope that my dedication to this sport will inspire others as well.
Special Thanks: Autosport Dynamics, Sami Page , Doug VanDenBrink, Chris Shumate, Joseph Newton, Chris Orsini, Exotics Inc., Kiely Mackey, Exedy Racing Clutch, Driveshaft Shop, Rich at 13-Three Motorsports, Falken Tire, and Luke Belverd and John Earl at Six Sigma Dyno Services.