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Sak Nana

Sak Nana (Thai: ศักดิ์ นานา, pronounced [Ṣ̄ạkdi̒ nānā]; born 8 January 1975) is a Thai professional racing driver, and businessman. Known as the "Drift King of Thailand”. Sak has achieved notable successes in motorsport, including five wins at the Nürburgring in the Porsche Carrera Cup 2016, first place in the ADAC 24h Nürburgring GT4 Class in 2013, and multiple Formula Drift World Championship titles. He was born and raised in the Nana family, of Thai Muslim descent, with roots dating back to the reign of King Mongkut. Sak is also one of the ten major shareholders of the Thai Cement Group Company.

Early life

Early Years

Sak Nana at 2024 GT Open Barcelona round 1 Sak Nana was born on January 8, 1975, in Thailand. He studied at Assumption College (AC107) and Don Bosco School in Ratchaburi, then continued his education in the United Kingdom at Bellerbys College and Oxford Brookes University. From a young age, Sak had a strong interest in mechanics. He began working with motorcycles as a teenager and learned by doing—testing, modifying, and improving engines through hands-on experience. Later, with support from his family, he explored opportunities in business and investment, gaining early experience in the stock market. During his school years, he also developed his skills by restoring older vehicles, including a 1970s Volkswagen Golf Mark I. These early experiences helped shape his practical approach to both engineering and business, combining technical knowledge with real-world problem-solving. (Life of Cars Bkk, 2023, June 9)

Life in England

In England, Sak became friends with Brazilian racer Sebastian and joined the Ford Scholarship Racing Program. This led to opportunities to race in Formula Ford and later with Nissan’s touring team. Along the way, he gained experience in race data analysis and improved his English. To support himself, he worked in various jobs, including waiting tables and at a comedy club. His talent for fixing cars quickly gained attention, leading to a side business in car repairs. This expanded into buying, restoring, and selling cars. He started with affordable models like the Honda Accord and Toyota Celica, but over time, he focused on high-end cars, especially Porsches, as his business grew. (Life of Cars Bkk, 2023, June 10)

Late 1990s

In 1997, during a global economic downturn known as the Asian financial crisis , Sak faced a major financial setback after unknowingly signing documents that led to the loss of his home, vehicles, and a legal case in the UK. During this time, he lived in his car and used public facilities to meet basic needs. Despite these challenges, he stayed connected to motorsports through his garage. With limited funding and no sponsors for track racing, he turned to drifting. He purchased a 1989 Nissan 200SX (rear-wheel drive, CA18DET turbo) for around £1,000 and began practicing at disused World War II airfields, which he rented for £50 each Sunday. What began as solo practice quickly grew into a small community. Within a year, 50 to 60 drivers joined him regularly. Many were inspired by his driving skills and early video footage, leading them to switch to rear-wheel drive cars to take part. Known in the group as “Guru,” (Redbull, 2016, August 2). Sak mentored new drivers and helped grow interest in the sport. By 1998, more than 100 people were regularly involved. After practice sessions, participants often met at local venues, building a strong sense of community. This led Sak to organize formal drifting events, with competitions held at a track called Terweston, judged on drift angle and duration. In the early days, drivers sprayed water on the track to save tires and reduce costs. As the community grew, so did its impact. One early participant, Phillip, went on to establish Driftworks, now a well-known name in the UK drifting industry. In 1999, drivers from countries like Ireland and Germany joined the competitions. Sak personally selected trophies and arranged sponsored prizes, such as Advan tires and HKS vouchers. These prizes helped make the events more professional and encouraged faster development of drift cars in the community. (Life of Cars Bkk, 2023, June 10)

Early 2000

In 2000, Sak made a bold move by renting Silverstone Circuit for a large drift event. He risked his home and invested around £50,000 (about 2 million baht) to make it happen. With support from media outlets like Evo and Top Gear, the event gained significant exposure and was a huge success. It attracted scouts from major motor shows, which changed Sak’s career. After the event’s success, AutoGlym became a sponsor, renaming the series AutoGlym Drift UK and covering all costs. Sak was invited to drift at major events across Europe, including the NEC Birmingham, Paris Tuning Show, and motorsport events in Ireland, Holland, and Germany. He quickly became known as a pioneer of drifting in Europe and played a key role in growing the drifting scene. (Life of Cars Bkk, 2023, June 10)

2012

In 2012, Sak searched for the most challenging, dangerous, and high-risk race tracks in the world, where the most fatalities had occurred and no Thai had ever won. He discovered the Nürburgring, known as the "Green Hell." Determined to succeed, Sakflew to Germany every month and rented an M3 once a month for seven days. He practiced from morning to evening, carefully selecting days when the track was open to the public. This training continued from early to late in the year, with track access available between April and September. By the end of the year, his dedication paid off when he earned a license to compete in the 24-Hour race. In 2013, Sak participated in the 24-Hour race, which attracted 500,000 spectators, similar to the Le Mans race (Admin, 2018, March 6). The event was broadcast worldwide, except in Thailand. With 250 cars starting the race, it was far larger than typical events, which usually feature only 20 cars. Sak's hard work paid off as he went on to become theWorld Champion in the GT4 category(Driver Database, 2025, April 26), just one level below the prestigious GT4 class. (Life of Cars Bkk, 2023, June 10)

Driver Profile

Racing Career

Sak began his racing career through the Ford Scholarship program at Dorton Park, competing in Formula Ford before joining Nissan’s touring car team. After the 1997 Asian financial crisis, he shifted to drifting, starting with his personal Nissan 200SX (CA18DET), and quickly became a leading figure in the UK and European drift scene. In 2000, he made a major impact by renting Silverstone Circuit to host a large-scale drift event, a turning point for drifting in Europe. This success led him to establish AutoGlym Drift UK, one of the first major European drift series. He drew international attention and performed at events like NEC Birmingham, the Paris Tuning Show, and shows across Ireland, Germany, and Holland. Sak’s contributions earned him sponsorships from top brands such as AutoGlym, Advan Tires, and HKS, and he mentored many rising drifters while playing a key role in developing the European drift scene, including supporting the creation of Driftworks. Throughout his career, Sak has owned and driven high-performance cars like the Skyline GTR, TVR Cerbera 4.5, Porsche 993 Turbo, Subaru Impreza, and Mitsubishi Evo, earning recognition for his skills as a drifter, mechanic, and tuner. The Independent newspaper dubbed him “Kiki Drift Guru” for his influence in spreading drift culture in Europe. Today, he continues to contribute to motorsports and has lived in several UK cities, including Cambridge, Oxford, and Northampton.

Skill and Expertise

Sak Nana is an expert in drifting, race car driving, and vehicle engineering. He specializes in advanced drifting techniques, race strategies, and vehicle control. As a skilled mechanic and tuner, Sak focuses on engine tuning, suspension setup, and car customization, with a particular focus on Japanese performance cars and Porsches. He’s also an experienced event organizer and mentor. Sak founded major drift competitions like AutoGlym Drift UK and has trained many successful drifters. Known as “Kiki Drift Guru,” he is highly respected for his role in growing and leading Europe’s drifting community.

Fan and Support

Sak Nana has gained a strong following in both Europe and Asia, especially among drifting fans and motorsport communities. As one of the first to bring drifting to Europe, he earned respect for popularizing the sport. His hands-on approach, teaching style, and willingness to mentor others helped him build a loyal fanbase. Over time, his events attracted hundreds of drivers and spectators, creating a tight-knit drift community. Sak received support from major sponsors like Auto Glym, Advan Tires, and HKS, who backed his events and competitions. Media outlets such as Top Gear, Evo Magazine, and The Independent helped promote his work, expanding his influence. Known as “Kiki Drift Guru,” Sak is respected by both fans and professionals in the motorsport world.

Personal Life

Sak Nana, also known as “Kiki,” is a Thai race car driver and businessman widely recognized for helping grow drifting and circuit racing in Thailand. Born into a business family, he chose to forget his own path by moving to the United Kingdom to start his career independently. His passion for speed began early, he secretly bought a motorbike at age eleven and later got involved in street racing during his teenage years. After witnessing a fatal accident, he turned away from illegal racing and pursued motorsports professionally. Kiki values working with passion and giving back quietly, and although he has reached speeds of up to 340 km/h, he has become more careful with age. He has competed in the International GT Open series, partnered with German driver Adam Osieka, and driven for teams like GetSpeed Performance and McChip-dkr, achieving several wins, particularly in the Nürburgring Endurance Series. His journey reflects a strong drive, love for racing, and a reputation respected both in Thailand and internationally. (Life of Cars Bkk, 2023, June 9)

Racing Records

Caption text
Season Series Team Car Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps Points Position
2009 Super Car Thailand - - 8 0 1 0 0 189 7th
2010 Super Car Thailand Red Bull Racing Team Mitsubishi CT230R 8 0 1 0 0 196.5 7th
2013 24 Hours of Nürburgring - SP10 GT4 Bonk Motorsport BMW E92 M3 GT4 1 0 1 0 0 - 3rd
2014 Thailand Super Series - SC1 GT3 - - 4 0 2 0 0 122 5th
2014 24 Hours of Nürburgring - SP3 Toyota Team Thailand Toyota Corolla Altis 1 0 0 0 0 - 7th
2015 VLN Langstrecken Serie - BMW M235i Cup Bonk Motorsport BMW M235i Racing Cup 4 0 0 0 0 18 23rd
2015 24 Hours of Nürburgring - BMW M235i Cup Bonk Motorsport BMW M235i Racing 1 0 1 0 0 - 3rd
2016 TCR Thailand Red Bull Thailand Racing Seat León Cup Racer - 0 0 0 0 - -
2016 24 Hours of Nürburgring - SP7 GetSpeed Performance Porsche 991 GT3 Cu 1 0 0 0 0 - DNF
2022 International GT Open - Am GetSpeed Performance Mercedes-AMG GT3 9 3 5 0 0 36 3rd
2023 ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring - BMW M240i - BMW M240i Racing Cup 1 0 0 0 0 - -
2023 International GT Open - Am GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 2023 12 1 5 0 0 48 7th
2024 Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - SP9 Am Renazzo Motorsport Lamborgini Huracán GT3 EVO2 2 1 2 0 0 - 6th
2024 International GT Open - Am GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo 14 4 10 0 1 84 3rd

Notes:

  • International GT Open (2024): Achieved 3rd place overall in the Am category with GetSpeed, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo. Participated in 14 races, securing 4 wins and 10 podium finishes.
  • Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - SP9 Am (2024): Competed with Renazzo Motorsport in a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2. Entered 2 races, achieving 1 win and 2 podiums, finishing 6th in the standings.
  • International GT Open (2023): Drove for GetSpeed in the Am category with a Mercedes-AMG GT3 2023. Completed 12 races, with 1 win and 5 podium finishes, placing 7th overall.
  • ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring - BMW M240i (2023): Participated in a single race with a BMW M240i Racing Cup car; did not secure a podium finish.
  • International GT Open (2022): Represented GetSpeed Performance in the Am category, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3. Competed in 9 races, achieving 3 wins and 5 podiums, resulting in a 3rd place finish in the standings.
  • 24 Hours of Nürburgring - SP7 (2016): Entered with GetSpeed Performance in a Porsche 991 GT3 Cup; the team did not finish (DNF) the race.
  • TCR Thailand (2016): Competed with Red Bull Thailand Racing in a Seat León Cup Racer; specific race results are not detailed.
  • 24 Hours of Nürburgring - BMW M235i Cup (2015): Raced with Bonk Motorsport in a BMW M235i Racing, securing a 3rd place finish in class.
  • VLN Langstrecken Serie - BMW M235i Cup (2015): Participated in 4 races with Bonk Motorsport, finishing 23rd in the standings.
  • 24 Hours of Nürburgring - SP3 (2014): Competed with Toyota Team Thailand in a Toyota Corolla Altis, achieving a 7th place finish in class.
  • Thailand Super Series - SC1 GT3 (2014): Entered 4 races, securing 2 podium
  • (Driver Database, 2025, April 26)(GTOPEN, 2023)

Awards and Honors

2012: Represented Thailand in the Race of Champions Asia held at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, competing alongside top drivers from across the region.

2013: Achieved a class win in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in the SP10 GT4 category, driving a BMW M3 GT4 (E92) for Bonk Motorsport.

2015: Secured 3rd place in the BMW M235i Racing Cup class at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, racing with Bonk Motorsport.

2016: Competed in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in the SP7 class, driving a Porsche 991 GT3 Cup for GetSpeed Performance.

2016: Participated in the VLN Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie, continuing his presence in Germany’s premier endurance racing championship.

2017: Announced his retirement from professional racing following his participation in the Bangsaen Grand Prix, a major motorsport event in Thailand.

2022: Returned to international racing and achieved 3rd place in the International GT Open – Am class, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo for GetSpeed Performance. Sak Nana at 2024 GT Open

2024: Finished 4th in the International GT Open – Am class, once again with GetSpeed Performance in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.

2024: Achieved 6th place in the Nürburgring Endurance Series GT3 – SP9 Am class, driving a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 for McChip-dkr.

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