Sideways Sherriff (Austin Bates)

   Austin, a drifter from Georgia, discovered his passion for drifting at the age of 15 when he attended his first drift event. After that experience, he was hooked on drifting and knew he had to get involved. As soon as he could afford a car, he bought a Mustang and started drifting.

 Starting out with a bone stock 1999 Mustang, Austin quickly upgraded to a supercharged 2007 Mustang as his love for the sport grew. One unique aspect of his drifting career is that he outfitted his cars to look like police vehicles, earning him the nickname "Sideways Sheriff." This added a playful and fun element to his drifting persona, setting him apart from other drivers.

 Over the course of his five-year drifting career, Austin has driven and competed winning trophies in numerous events, including Ford Fest, Gridlife, Ponies in the Smokies, drift week 5, and even appeared on the TV show "Getaway Driver." However, his favorite part of drifting is taking people for their first ride along and getting them hooked on the sport.

 Despite the challenges and risks that come with drifting, Austin continues to find joy in every aspect of the sport, from the cars themselves to the people and experiences it brings into his life. With five years of drifting experience, Austin has accomplished a lot and is sure to have many more exciting adventures ahead.