WESTERN CANADA’S GROWING DRIFT SCENE
Image courtesy of DRIFTEM correspondent Blair Howard.
Meet The New Spec D Director!
Jordan Maynard’s journey into the world of drifting wasn’t born from the typical racing background. Instead, it evolved from a blend of passion, opportunity, and a deep commitment to fostering community.
Today, as the owner of British Columbia-based Bold Connections Drift Alliance (BCDA) and newly acquired Spec D Formula DRIFT licensing series, Maynard is reshaping the local drift landscape in Western Canada, with plans to take it to even greater heights.
Image courtesy of DRIFTEM correspondent Blair Howard.
From Grassroots Drifting to Formula DRIFT Licensing.
BCDA was initially founded six years ago as a non-profit organization and it has since been a trailblazer for drifting in the Pacific Northwest. Before BCDA’s inception, drifting at Mission Raceway Park was virtually unheard of.
Maynard recalls the state of the sport before BCDA, "The previous attempts at running events here failed due to lack of safety, rules, and cost. It was unsustainable for the drifters."
Recognizing this gap in the market, he took the initiative to establish BCDA as a platform that not only offered open drifting events but also created a structured pathway for drivers to participate in competition.
Starting small with street cars and grassroots events, BCDA has grown significantly over the years. From seeing just 16-20 cars in its initial rounds, the series now boasts a 70-90 car field, offering entry-level drivers a chance to sharpen their skills before making the leap to higher levels of competition.
This year, Maynard’s latest achievement is taking ownership of the Spec D licensing series, an official Formula DRIFT licensing provider for Western Canada. The change represents a major leap for the sport locally, giving more drivers a direct shot at a professional career.
Photo courtesy of Spec D and DRIFTEM correspondent Blair Howard.
Taking the Wheel With Vision, Honoring Spec D Legacy.
As the new Spec D series director, Maynard plans to continue successful elements of past events that were led by former Spec D series director, Shawn Hartum, while also bringing fresh ideas to the table.
"The vibe, the energy, DJ, announcer - all of that, will stay the same," said Maynard. "The key thing for me was always looking up to Shawn and wanting to own a pro series."
“I’m honored to have played a small role in pro drifting these past years and it’s in good hands with Jordan and the team he has supporting him,” Hartum said.
Hartum will now serve as the lead judge for the series, and plans to continue building on the Canadian drift community in his own way by supporting his 13-year old daughter Emily in her drifting career. The transition ensures continuity for competitors, while Maynard infuses unique vision for growth, while still emphasizing that the essence of the competition remains unchanged—accessible, exciting, and focused on fostering growth within the local drift community.
“We are excited to see a new vision for the Spec D series, and bringing all the top drivers in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest even more competition dates,” added Hartum, noting Maynard has the right drive and passion for the sport to keep the series growing into what he’d envisioned it would become.
“Jordan’s relationship with some new tracks is really exciting. I’ve been watching how much he has done locally with BCDA, and his drive to host events as well as the respect the drift community has for him, really makes it a good fit,” Hartum concluded, adding lightheartedly that he can, “now maybe drive at more events.”
Image courtesy of DRIFTEM correspondent Blair Howard.
A Drifting Journey Fueled By Passion.
Maynard’s connection to motorsports and drifting is deeply personal. His drift journey began in 2008 when he got his learner’s license and drifted for the first time in a friend's car. It wasn’t long before he attended his first organized drift event - Cell Block D - in 2011 as a spectator. Within a year, he was behind the wheel on the track himself.
Maynard has always been interested in building and working with his hands, kicking his career in metal fabrication off at Abstract Alloys where he was mentored for four years, while learning to build grain hoppers. Then, after several years in the industry, he stepped into business ownership for the first time by launching his own automotive fabrication company.
Fast forward and Maynard has remained in the automotive industry. Most recently, at JS Powersports, where for the past six years he’s been building tube chassis hot rods, pro mods, NHRA drag cars, and dragsters.
But, despite his technical knowledge and professional success, his biggest passion has remained drifting and creating a space for others to experience the thrill he discovered firsthand years ago.
"The real reward is having people share in what I love. I want to make drifting available to younger kids, open up opportunities to them before they even get their licenses," Maynard shared. "For me, cars have always been a safe place, a stronghold in my life."
Photo courtesy of DRIFTEM correspondent Jarrod Dykstra.
It Takes A Drifting Village: Community Building And Overcoming Challenges.
Transitioning into the role of ownership at BCDA and Spec D wasn’t without its challenges, and Maynard acknowledged that personal struggles have been a part of his own growth process.
"Kayla, my partner, has been a huge support. She brings joy into my life I didn’t know was possible," shared Maynard. With her by his side, along with the support of a tight-knit team, Maynard now feels equipped to take BCDA and Spec D to the next level.
As for BCDA, the owner gave a big nod to his support network and the BCDA team, indicating the series wouldn’t have been able to find the level of success it has so far without them. He shared his deep gratitude for the team behind him, including his parents and brothers, Mitch McGarvey, Matt Rusiecki, Andrew Schmidt, Ashley Crawford, Ian Clysdale, Jamie Tedesco, Ryan & Nicole Bogusinski, and all the media volunteers who come out and help promote the events each year.
Unlike many other motorsport environments, Maynard’s philosophy centers on camaraderie rather than competition.
"We don’t do cliquey vibes at BCDA," Maynard stated. "We’re a community that helps each other with cars. The pits are open and spectators can walk through. It’s about building each other up, not tearing each other down."
This philosophy is why BCDA regularly hosts Drift School events where anyone can come and learn from the ground up, even with zero experience. They’ve also added a new series this year - the StreetRoots Competition Series - which caters to drivers who do not compete at the PRO-AM level and compete in street legal cars with very few modifications.
Image courtesy of DRIFTEM correspondent Blair Howard.
Spec D And Formula DRIFT: A New Era.
As the only official Formula DRIFT licensing series in Canada, Spec D provides a rare and valuable opportunity for local drivers to progress into the international scene.
"It’s still surreal," Maynard admitted, speaking about his new role as the key figure in the Formula DRIFT licensing process and his aspirations to see more locals compete for licenses. "For our drivers in Western Canada, it’s time to step up and compete at a higher level."
The licensing process itself is rigorous. Drivers need to meet strict safety requirements, consistently make it to series events, win the PRO-AM series, and be vetted by both Maynard and Hartum. Nevertheless, Maynard encourages circuit drivers to jump in and go to battle.
"Formula DRIFT trusts our judgment," he added, noting the series is looking for drivers who have, “strong team support, a solid media presence, and reliable sponsors.”
Photo courtesy of Spec D.
Expanding The Canadian Drifting Vision.
Looking ahead, Maynard is focused on expanding the reach of BCDA and Spec D events. With new features on the horizon, including spectator involvement, RC drift competitions, and the possibility of rental cars for the Drift School and open drift events, it is his aim to bring new excitement to the local drift community.
It’s this type of vision that has always been one of Maynard’s talents. In 2024, he approached Agassiz Speedway - the same track he started drifting at years ago - after getting wind of a potential paving project that had the possibility to open up new drift layouts. The Speedway agreed to expand their paving project and allow more drifting at the venue if Maynard could come up with the money to cover the additional project. A few months later, he’d fundraised enough to cover the project, and thanks to his ambition and the support of the community, Agassiz Speedway has now become the new hotspot for drifting in British Columbia.
"Agassiz was the first place I ever drifted," Maynard recalled. "We’ve worked hard to increase the track’s accessibility and the recent paving allows us to run more events throughout the year."
For Maynard, the future of BCDA and Spec D is about more than just events—it’s about legacy. He’s passionate about creating an inclusive environment where young drivers like Micah and Madden Bailey - currently the youngest drivers on the roster at just 14 and 16 years old - can rise through the ranks and potentially make their mark on the sport.
"We’ve got some seriously talented kids in the community," Maynard said. "I can see either of them [the Bailey’s] going through the series and making it big in the sport."
As BCDA and Spec D continue to grow, Maynard's ambitious vision remains clear: to leave a lasting mark on motorsports, elevate the sport of drifting, and offer new opportunities to the next generation of drivers. "I want to make drifting in Western Canada as big as the series we see in the United States," he concluded.
With the support of his community, his team, and his family, Maynard is committed to making that vision a reality, one drift event at a time. Whether it’s providing a pathway for drivers to get their Formula DRIFT license, or simply by creating a space where people can come together and share in the love of the sport, Maynard is determined to make his mark on the world of motorsports.
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Get Involved: Keep an eye on upcoming events in Western Canada, including drift schools, RC competitions, SIM competitions and the latest updates for BCDA and Spec D. Stay tuned for more exciting developments and join the growing drift community in Western Canada.
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