PART 1 of this series explores the need for a dedicated motorsports circuit in Sarawak.
KUCHING: Fast cars, tight turns and no room for error. Drifting is not for the faint of heart.
In Malaysia, motorsports is gaining momentum through events like the D1 Grand Prix (D1GP) and the Southeast Asia Drift Series (SEADS).
But most of the action happens in Peninsular Malaysia, where circuits, sponsors and teams are more established.
In contrast, East Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, is still developing its motorsports infrastructure, relying heavily on independent drifters and grassroots communities.
For most aspiring racers, the journey starts with karting or entry-level leagues like the Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF), which offers accessible, competitive racing.
Progressing to the professional level typically requires a license from the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), as well as formal training through racing schools.
However, the path to becoming a professional driver in Malaysia is not without challenges.
The high costs associated with training, equipment and competition, coupled with limited access to facilities in certain areas, make it a demanding pursuit.
For two Sarawakian drifters, Fish Lee and Kingson Kho, drifting is more than just competition. It’s a mission to put their home state on the global motorsport map.
Despite the lack of a dedicated track and limited financial backing, these Kuching-born racers have defied the odds, proving that East Malaysia has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Their journeys, marked by setbacks, perseverance and passion, reflect both the struggles and potential of Sarawak’s drifting scene.
From drag racing to drift champion
At 36, Lee Kwok-Yih, better known as Fish Lee, has achieved what few Sarawakian drifters have.
In 2024, he won a championship round in Drift Kings Asia Championship in Indonesia, standing out as a top contender in the series.
Driving a 500-horsepower Nissan S15, Lee beat rivals piloting machines with up to 800 horsepower to claim the top spot.
Yet, his win came from unexpected beginnings.
“I didn’t even know if I could participate in the international event,” he told the writer.
“I just went for the briefing, took a nap, and next thing I knew, they called my name.”
That casual entry turned into a historic moment, one that made him a rising name in Asia’s drifting scene.
Earlier this year, in February, Lee placed third in Round 3 and Round 4 of the Indonesia leg of the SEADS, an affiliate of Formula Drift.
He overcame a serious setback just before the race when his car caught fire.
“The car caught fire. Everyone was on edge, but my team didn’t give up. They worked relentlessly and got the car back on track in time,” he recalled.
Before drifting, Lee was actually a drag racer, taking part in 0–400m sprints.
But limited track access in Sarawak pushed him to explore a different path in motorsports.
“There was this one time where the police warned me in Bako. They saw my car and said, ‘If you come again, I will lock your car,’” he laughed.
He switched to drifting in 2022, a transition that came with its own learning curve.
“At first, I couldn’t get the technique. I wanted to give up after two weeks,” he admitted.
By 2022, Lee officially joined the Kuching Drift Crew (KDC) and later became its president.
Breaking into the professional scene
Thirty-year-old Kingson Kho had a similar start, one filled with trial, error and grit.
“I thought I could just pull the handbrake and drift, but I was just doing donuts,” he recalled.
Under the guidance of seasoned pro drifter Benny Chin, Kingson sharpened his skills and went on to join two of Malaysia’s top teams: TP Autowork and FRT Fusing Racing Team.
His breakthrough came in 2021 when he became the first Sarawakian to compete in the D1GP Malaysia.
Before that, he entered the PD CREW Circuit Opening Drift Challenge — and crashed.
“I was too confident. Drifting in Kuching with a low-horsepower car was easy.
“But when I switched to a high-powered one, everything changed. The speed, the control, everything happened so fast,” he said.
Today, Kingson and Lee are among a small but growing community determined to lift Sarawakian drifting to new heights.
The cost of the climb
Both drifters face a common struggle: infrastructure and funding.
While their West Malaysian counterparts enjoy access to proper drift circuits, Sarawakian racers rely on temporary or borrowed practice grounds.
“We used to train at the Samarahan Drift Park near the Kota Samarahan Civic Centre, but people complained. They said we burned their corn,” Lee recalled.
Although the government opened a go-kart track in Miri Permy Jaya in 2023 that accommodates drifting, the cost of transporting cars makes regular practice there difficult.
Meanwhile, the PJM track, a temporary training circuit at the Sarawak Stadium carpark in Petra Jaya, wears out tires too quickly and is not suitable for professional training.
Sponsorship is another uphill battle.
“If we had a proper track in Kuching, maybe sponsors would help. But when we go to Miri, they won’t even give RM1,000,” said Lee.
A beginner-level drift car alone costs around RM30,000, excluding spare parts, maintenance, and transport.
At the moment, Kingson remains off the track, grounded by a V8 engine failure that has brought his season to a halt.
“The parts are from the United States. It will take six months just to get them, then another two months to rebuild and test,” he explained.
Drifting towards the future
Despite these challenges, both drifters remain hopeful, especially with news of a proposed Gedong Circuit, announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in November last year.
“If the track is built, we can host international events, just like we hosted Malaysia Games (SUKMA). It’s not impossible,” Lee said.
For him, a permanent circuit could attract sponsors, offer legal practice grounds, and raise Sarawak’s motorsports to global standards.
Kingson echoes the vision. For him, the joy of drifting is not in the trophies, but in the community.
“We have brought together drifters from Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, even Sabah. We are one.”
The road ahead
With Sarawakian talent continuing to rise, Lee recently secured second place in Round 5 and Round 6 of the Thailand Drift Series, held on April 19 and 20, which is also part of SEADS.
He has now qualified to compete in the Malaysia Drift Series, which will host Round 7 and Round 8 on July 5 and 6.
Their message to aspiring drifters? Patience. Preparation. Passion.
“Drifting is easy to start, but you need the right car, the right setup, and the right mindset,” said Lee.
“Don’t let negative comments stop you. If you love it, just go for it.”
They are not just drifting for themselves. They are drifting for Sarawak.
