The DIY drifter
BBC TopGear India|June 2024
A self-taught drifter and mechanic now stunt doubling opposite Tom Cruise. Just another day at the office for Tessa Whittock
OLLIE KEW
The DIY drifter

Yeah, there’s been some hostility and some comments, but as long as you can take the banter but also give it back, I kind of stop it in its tracks.” Tessa Whittock revels in being a female in what’s seen as a man’s world. Drifting. Tuning. Wrenching. Stunt driving for billion dollar Hollywood blockbusters. “Sure, there’s that element of, ‘oh, because you’re a girl, you’re getting special treatment’,” she laughs, “or ‘you’ve qualified better than I have because you’re a woman’. No. It’s just how I drive. I’m better at it than you are.”

Tessa has crammed a heck of a lot into her 33 years. She’s an ex-investment banker who taught herself to drift on dirt using an old Suzuki Vitara with the four-wheel drive disengaged. “I’ve always been mad for cars and tractors because of my farm upbringing. I love a tractor! When I was 14, my dad had a friend who had an RX-7 which we took to Santa Pod. And there was this drift taxi. I got in – an R32 Skyline – and literally from that day forward I was like, ‘oh my God, how can I do this?’”

So, having blown up her first car the day after passing her test (a shonky Corsa) and quickly upgrading to some choice hot hatches (Fiesta ST and Corsa VXR Nürburgring Edition), Tessa saved up until she bagged a beloved Nissan R33 Skyline at just 21, and could take the art of going sideways pro.

This story is from the June 2024 edition of BBC TopGear India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2024 edition of BBC TopGear India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BBC TOPGEAR INDIAView All
The Next Great Family MPV?
BBC TopGear India

The Next Great Family MPV?

“Whoa, that’s a nice-looking Minivan!” Said no one ever.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
MG COMET
BBC TopGear India

MG COMET

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD THOUGHT THIS CAR TO BE COMPLETELY useless when it came out.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
BMW i7
BBC TopGear India

BMW i7

WHEN THE i7 PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AND PARKED ITSELF next to the Mercedes EQA and the MG Comet, it just struck me that this is how the future will be.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
BBC TopGear India

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

McLaren's finest faces off Corvette's nat-asp swansong as the Brits and the Americans square up... in a Spanish playground. Expect fireworks

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
NEXT LEVEL
BBC TopGear India

NEXT LEVEL

Thought the 750S was fast? The McLaren P1's successor - the W1 is ready to spread its wings

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
MANUAL LABOUR
BBC TopGear India

MANUAL LABOUR

Two cars from opposite ends of the performance spectrum with one crucial thing in common...

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
PRO VS SLOW
BBC TopGear India

PRO VS SLOW

At last, we have our hands on the Valkyrie. But is its performance only accessible for the pros... or can anyone enjoy it?

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
THE OUTBURST OF OFFROADING
BBC TopGear India

THE OUTBURST OF OFFROADING

The high-volume market is a point of interest for all manufacturers here in India.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
THE BATTLE OF CRUISER-COMMUTERS
BBC TopGear India

THE BATTLE OF CRUISER-COMMUTERS

WHO DOES THE BEST COMMUTER WORK WHILE NOT BEING A TRUE COMMUTER MOTORCYCLE?

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
LEAVING EVERYTHING ON THE TRACK
BBC TopGear India

LEAVING EVERYTHING ON THE TRACK

FT. YMRP ROUND 3 From being second, I DNF'd from the race on the last corner

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024