Mathew 'Mitto' Steele

The first of my driver spotlights, Mathew Steele a.k.a 'Mitto' is a somewhat of a legend in UK drifting. Being around right from the start, before I was even born. He has helped shape UK drifting into what it is today. Both by being a key factor in setting up some of the earliest events and even his time in Japan. Learning, practicing, improving, and passing on that knowledge, he really has helped teach an entire generation of drifters to utilise every single part of their car to the max.

With a very strong 'keep it simple' mantra, focused around using the car you already have to the best of its capacity, he really has pushed his driving, and those around him to a higher level. He believes big angle kits and unnecessary suspension mods have their place, definitely. But if you can't drive your car well in it's most basic form, you will never be able to utilise the geometry of more advanced components.

His understanding of suspension systems, and ability to visualise the way a component will move under the varying loads of drifting is nothing less than astounding. He's taught me more about suspension design and performance in a handful of phone calls and videos, than most people will learn in a lifetime. That said, not everyone is so interested in suspension setup, least of all outside the world of performance cars.

He really is passionate about this subject, and has recently uploaded a video (below) on his Youtube channel explaining how it all works, and the (albeit a little bit confusing) Japanese terms for it all.

I first met Mathew, of all places, in a Japanese themed restaurant in early 2019. I haven't known him long, but in the time I have known him, he's managed to convince me to raise my s14 (insert Low Origin complaint here) and sort my complaining attitude out. I'll be the first to admit I used to care about nothing more than maximum lows and fitment, ignoring the fact my car drove like total arse and was exceptionally slow. But after a logical, sensible explanation as to why this didn't make sense, and how I could improve my car a lot by doing a little I was sold.

This is what he's done for considerable amounts of people over the years. Not take away peoples sense of style before I get angry emails saying 'DrIfTiNg Is aLl AbOuT StYlE', but shift it. Move away from your car being all form, and make your driving a key factor in being proud of your car. 

I know he isn't too keen on talking about 'style' as it is very subjective. But he has helped me and others shift that perspective. And as a by-product, given himself people to drive with who can match his speed, aggression and sheer track presence.