Mark “SidewaysBuff” Luney is a familiar name in sporting circles, having been involved in motorsport since he was five years old. Acquiring numerous skills over the years he has been a professional driver for over 20 years. He is now known as one of Europe’s most experienced drift drivers, competing professionally for 10 years in local, national and international competitions, from Ireland to Abu Dhabi.

When it all started Mark was too young to get behind the wheel, so he tried the next best thing and started racing 1/12 scale radio controlled cars. Although this was just a hobby, he always thought outside the box and modified these small cars into monster machines; Le Mans GPC type cars as an example.

Mark would practise for up to 4 hours per day, learning how to steer, and pushing the mini machines to their limit. During this time, radio controlled racing was becoming hugely popular, and competitive, so Mark decided to try his luck in the then new discipline of off road R/C Racing.

With help from family and friends, specifically Ernie Foster, who helped Mark cultivate his hobby into something more serious, Mark started to race a R/C 2 wheel drive off road buggy with spectacular results.

Aged 13, he quickly progressed into 4 wheel drive cars, and seeing that there was potential in the young Belfast driver, 1985 saw Schumacher Racing give Mark a full sponsorship deal.

Success was always his number one aim, and his determination paid off with Mark taking the Irish championship 5 times between 1984 and 1989. He also won various championships with EABC, UBC and had various successes in England and Europe.

By 1989 he had reached the age where was finally able to get behind the wheel and drive the real thing. Regrettably this led to Mark hanging up his controls for good in 1990, but it wasn’t the end of his racing career, and of course without radio controlled cars he would not be where he is today.

Mark first dipped his toes behind the wheel at road rallies, entering in a Fiat Uno Turbo. The car had varying degrees of success, but unfortunately it was failing more often than succeeding.

A few local rallies and forest grouts in the early 90’s saw some success, but unfortunately for Mark rallying was getting pretty expensive, and without proper results there was no sponsorship. It was a double edged sword. This was a terrible blow for Mark as he was passionate about motorsport, so he looked for another way to continue this passion, which led him to the modified car scene.

Over the years, Mark was always known locally in the car scene for having cars in concourse condition. In the modified scene, style is everything, which is why the various modified cars that Mark built, in conjunction with the styling and work that was put into them, were always the talk of the shows. Throughout his time on the modified scene, Mark owned various top quality sports cars including a Lotus Carlton, TT Supra, Sierra Cosworth and a MK2 Escort to name but a few.

As his cars were so admired, he was asked to perform in several live action events around the country, from small “Cruises” to national motor shows. It was at these shows that other drivers persuaded Mark to take part in a few track days.

His first track day was in 1997, with the Ford RS Owners Club, and was held at Nutts Corner. At these events, drivers would have to go as sideways as possible around the track. The screeching of the tyres would have the crowds going crazy for more.

After Mark realised how popular this could be, he and a few of his fellow drivers would privately hire tracks and practice at night time during the summer months. He would practice in many cars, with different engines and setups, including a GSI 24v Carlton, BMW M5, Subaru Legacy Turbo, Lexus Soarer and a Nissan 200 SX.

2004 seen the sport of drifting starting to take off, and with his ability to control a car never better, it was only right that Mark entered his first drift competition.

The rest, as they say, is history. Mark has never looked back and after narrowly missing out on several championships wins over the years, in 2009 he hit the jackpot and won the European Drift Championship.

Not one to shy away from his roots, Mark still regularly drives at many car shows, showing off his flair and skill, and always leaving the audience wanting more. He also now passes on his skills with his “Drift School”, giving tuition, at some of the UK & Irelands biggest tracks, in the sport that is drifting.

What does the future bring? Well Mark for sure is not walking away from motorsport for a while yet. Asked why he is still going, his reply was that it’s in his blood.