NORTH EAST, Pa. – Grassroots drifting has become one of the hottest entry level motorsports for those looking to test their abilities on the track. With the fourth-generation “SN95” Mustang checking all the boxes for a starter drift car, we think it might just be the perfect ride for newbies in the drift scene as well. 

We recently visited Lake Erie Speedway for the Spring MatsErie event and the first round of the Formula Drift-sanctioned Great Lakes Pro-Am Series. Here we found everything from Foxbody Mustangs to the new S550’s, and plenty more Ford-powered vehicles, testing driving skills around the technical drift track that is set up at the speedway in Pennsylvania. But it was the SN95 Mustang platform (or 1994-2004 fourth-gen Mustangs) that showed up in force. This 20-plus year old model is more likely to be frequently found at drift events all across the country because of its affordability and parts availability – as well as for its rear-wheel-drive and V8-power drift car setup.

In total at the Spring MatsErie event in mid-May, we tallied two Fox Bodies, seven “New Edge” Mustangs (a.k.a. SN95 platforms), one S197, and one S550 Mustang -- giving the Blue Oval a strong presence in this local Pennsylvania drifting community. Hopping into a Mustang, strapping on some safety gear and breaking the tires loose into a corner in a controlled manner provides an exhilarating feeling that most drivers will tell you never wears off. If owning and operating a drift car isn’t your thing, we highly recommend finding a local drift track and seeking a ride-along, as drivers in the sport are typically more than willing to fill their passenger seats and share the drift experience with friends and fans.

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY MARCUS CERVANTES