Porsche Taycan Sets New Guinness World Record on Drift Track

Porsche driving instructor Dennis Rethera drove the Taycan for almost an hour, driving 42 miles sideways.

There are feats in cars that are worthy of recognition, such as the one accomplished by Dennis Retera, a driving instructor from Germany, who managed to turn sideways on a wet skating rink at the Porsche Experience Center Hockenheimring and did not stop slide until he covered 42 km.

The feat was unmistakably a marathon drift session and he managed to set a new record using a rear-wheel drive Taycan. Porsche didn't specify which version, but that single-engine iteration is available with 402 or 469 horsepower and a battery rated at 79.2 kWh or 93.4 kWh. The irrigated skid deck allowed for relatively low speeds (and enough tread life for the tires) but also increased the challenge for Retera, as grip tended to be inconsistent.

Praising the Taycan's drift-friendly chassis, Retera also said: “It was very tiring for me to maintain a high concentration for 210 laps, especially since the irrigated asphalt of the drift track does not provide the same grip everywhere. I focused on controlling the skid with the rudder; it's more efficient than using the gas pedal and reduces the risk of skidding."

set a new record for the longest electric car drift. Porsche's attempt was confirmed by Guinness judge Joanne Brent, as well as an independent observer: Denise Ritzmann, 2018 and 2019 European Drift Champion. She watched all 210 laps to make sure that as long as the car was spinning clockwise it was correct.

When the history of the electric car is written, there will be certain turning points that will mark monumental leaps in development and technology. It won't be one of them, but it was amazing without a doubt and it will be interesting to see who tries to break the record.

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