Baggsy’s GR Corolla Drift Car Build Powers Towards TRAX
The countdown to TRAX is on, and Steve “Baggsy” Biagioni’s wild Toyota GR Corolla drift car project is gathering serious momentum.
The latest build update reveals just how much work is going into transforming Toyota’s all-wheel-drive hot hatch into a purpose-built drift machine, with major fabrication completed, a proven powerplant selected, and the foundations now in place for what promises to be one of the most talked-about cars in the paddock. Perhaps the biggest revelation is the engine choice. After months of speculation, Baggsy has confirmed the GR Corolla will be powered by a DY Engines-built Toyota 2JZ – a decision driven by reliability as much as performance.
Peak Performance
“For me there is only one engine from the very beginning because of the reliability that we have found using this particular engine, and that of course is a DY 2JZ,” explained Baggsy. The decision comes after years of success with the same package in his GT86 drift car, where the engine has earned an enviable reputation for durability under the toughest conditions. Baggsy continues, “That engine has been absolutely flawless. All we have literally done to that engine is change oil, change the oil filter and put fuel in it. It has gone and gone and gone, and I have given it so much abuse at so many different events.” While retaining Toyota power was always a priority, the rest of the build is anything but conventional.
Extensive fabrication work has seen the rear of the GR Corolla re-engineered around a centrally mounted Radium fuel cell, positioned to optimise weight distribution while maintaining a practical hatchback appearance. A bespoke firewall and removable mounting system have been fabricated from scratch, demonstrating the attention to detail going into every aspect of the project.
Engineering the Perfect Drift Setup
Elsewhere, the team has cut away significant portions of the rear floor to accommodate improved cooling and simplify servicing, while the transmission tunnel has undergone extensive surgery to make room for the Quaife 69G gearbox that will sit behind the 2JZ. As Sam joked during the build process, they’re certainly not afraid of modifying a brand-new car. “We’re going to get through at least 200 cutting discs before this car’s built just to annoy Baggsy a little bit more.”
The project hasn’t been without its setbacks. A steering lock kit supplier was unable to deliver within the required timeframe, forcing the team into an ambitious Plan B involving a custom steering solution, a BMW E92 steering rack and bespoke components developed from detailed 3D scanning.
Despite those challenges, progress continues at an impressive pace. The engine and gearbox have now been mocked into position, custom mounts are being fabricated, and the cockpit layout has been tailored specifically around Baggsy’s preferred driving position, with steering column, pedal box, hydraulic handbrake and shifter all carefully positioned.
Cutting It Fine…
Speaking about seeing the powertrain in place, Baggsy admitted: “I can’t wait for the next step, which is going to be putting it inside the Corolla. That is just going to be a magic moment.” While plenty remains to be done before the finished machine turns a wheel in anger, the latest episode marks an important milestone. The chassis has evolved from a stripped shell into a genuine competition car with its major architecture now taking shape.
For fans heading to TRAX, the prospect of seeing this incredible build in action only adds to the excitement. Combining cutting-edge fabrication with proven drift engineering and one of motorsport’s most legendary engine platforms, Baggsy’s GR Corolla is shaping up to be one of the standout attractions of the season.
