India’s Drift King Sanam Sekhon on His Guinness Record at Umling La and the Future of Drifting in India

India’s very own “Drift King” Sanam Sekhon has etched his name in motorsport history by executing a near-impossible drift at the Umling La Pass in Ladakh—earning a Guinness World Record for the highest-altitude drift ever performed. Speaking to India Today, the 37-year-old opened up about his journey from childhood rides with his rally-driver father to the moment he drifted his Lexus GS 300 at 5,798 metres (19,023 feet) on the world’s highest motorable road.

Sanam’s drifting mastery has long been recognised. Judges at various competitions have praised his precision, impeccable car control, and ability to handle extreme oversteer. He became the first-ever double champion—winning both D1 and D2 categories—at the inaugural JK Tyre Drift Challenge, which established him as India’s top drifter.

A Journey Rooted in Motorsports

Growing up in Chandigarh, Sanam was surrounded by motorsport culture. His father, a rally driver who competed internationally, carried him to races and rally stages. Those early experiences shaped his fascination with cars. “Before drifting, I was always doing something with cars—stunts, racing, whatever kept me close to the field,” he said.

Drifting entered his life almost by accident. A spontaneous drift in a friend’s car turned into a breakthrough moment. “What I did in a minute took my friend 10–15 minutes. That’s when I realised I had an edge,” he recalled. Accessibility also played a role—drifting required fewer resources than professional racing, making it easier for him to practice and grow.

Battling Misconceptions and Staying Safe

Drifting often gets unfairly linked to rash driving, but Sanam made safety his top priority. He never drifted on public roads, informed local authorities when using empty parking lots, and stayed within controlled environments. “Authorities didn’t always understand motorsport, so I had to explain everything clearly. Being transparent made things easier,” he said.

He also credited JK Tyre for giving him access to professional tracks and race cars, helping him refine his talent under safe conditions.

The Record-Breaking Drift at Umling La

Achieving the Guinness record was far from straightforward. The terrain was unforgiving, oxygen levels were low, and both man and machine struggled. His team of over 20 prepared extensively, including fitness regimens for high altitude.

Sanam’s Lexus GS 300 was modified with help from a tuner from Thailand, fitted with an aftermarket ECM, and upgraded suspension to handle the uneven, rally-like surface. “It felt like rally plus drift combined,” he said. Despite weather delays and extreme conditions, they completed the drift just before heavy snow hit.

Building a Legacy and Growing Drifting in India

Sanam hopes his achievement sparks greater recognition for drifting in India. He believes easing import rules for sports cars, increasing dedicated drifting events, and giving local talent safe practice spaces will accelerate the sport’s growth. “Skill is important, but your machine must support you. We need both,” he said.

For young drifters, his advice is simple: “Try things, but keep it off public roads. Do it safely. Make it a hobby—when it’s fun, you’ll stick with it.”

Today, despite being a drift champion, Sanam laughs about daily driving: “Honestly, I don’t drive. I take a cab or ride my Vespa—there’s too much traffic to even get out of third gear!”

His Guinness record represents not just a personal milestone but a moment of pride for Indian motorsport—proving that with discipline, safety, and determination, even the steepest mountain passes can become a canvas for world-class drifting.