When top New Zealand Drifter Cam Vernon was asked if he could give cancer-stricken Blenheim teenager Braden Mason a ride in his Nissan Skyline he was only too happy to oblige.
Drift fan Braden, 14, has a rare form of inoperable cancer which has spread from his brain to his spine, meaning he is now in a wheelchair.
He still has the use of his upper body though and a chance remark by Braden’s older brother Michael saw Vernon head off in an altogether more ambitious direction.
Now, when the trio meet at the Hampton Downs circuit later this month, Braden will not only get a ride in Ramarama (south-east of Auckland) contractor Vernon’s distinctive Skinny Mobile/Gull NZ-backed Nissan Skyline R32 drift car he will also get the chance to learn to drift himself behind the wheel of a specially adapted V8-engined Lexus IS400.
“Michael was just saying when we were sorting out Braden’s ride, ” says Vernon, “that he wished there was somewhere where people with disabilities could go and learn to drive – or in Braden’s case drift – a car.
“When I thought about it I realised he was right – and decided to do something about it.”
With the date – June 26 – already set Vernon didn’t have much time. But he is nothing if not determined and in the space of just two days set up a Trademe auction – Drift for a Cause – offering hot laps in his Skyline to help with seed money, and found a suitable donor car.
Further phone calls secured the help of sponsors WSL Engineering Ltd from Drury, to create the special hand controls needed for the accelerator and brakes, and Luxury Sports in Penrose for the special racing seats.
Once Braden has learned the finer arts of drifting in the car it will remain at the track under the eye of venue manager, and the man behind the Playday on Track track day company, Gary Sterling.
Between them Vernon and Sterling will then be responsible for the next step – making the car available so that other disabled drivers can fulfill a dream.
“Which at the end of the day, ” says Vernon, “is what it’s all about.”
“I still remember the sense of exhilaration and achievement I felt when I was starting out. It sounds corny saying it but it really did change my life. By building this car and giving anyone with a disability the opportunity to learn how to drift in it we might be able to change some more!”
