In an unconventional drift match involving the Hot Version heavyweights and some of the quickest tuners in Japan, this video showcases just how well these drivers can handle some pretty intimidating machinery in even the most challenging scenarios. Set on a rainy Maze Circuit, this showdown combines the best of road racing and drifting; urging drivers to carve neatly through the quicker corners and try for as much angle through the tight, technical section. With a variety of Japanese tuning machines involved, we get to examine just how these icons perform in adverse conditions.

Taniguchi’s supercharged Z is gorgeous, quick and somewhat unreliable.

With Orido, Taniguchi and Tsuchiya making up the professional contingent of this troop, the caliber of drivers is top-notch. The cars are all well-tuned and capable of both grip driving and drifting; a compromise difficult to come by. As they square up at the end of the formation lap, their progression is halted by an impromptu chicane in the center of the course, limiting their speed down the straights to try and keep the drivers reasonable on the slippery surface.

Yashio Factory’s Silvia proves to be one of the most capable drift machines out there.

After a couple cars retire from mechanical failures, the first three show what they’re capable of: gathering up oversteer and drifting bumper-to-bumper. Simultaneously, the Silvias running in the pack reveal their Achilles’ heel: an insufficient amount of rear traction. Interestingly, it’s Orido in his heavy JZX100 that fairs best. Even with four doors and a lot of weight, the big Toyota manages to out-accelerate the Nissans in the quicker sections, and hang with the Silvias when things go sideways.