BMW drifting for eight continuous hours in South Carolina refueled mid-drift like a fighter jet
Published on Dec 28, 2025 at 3:03 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Dec 11, 2025 at 7:51 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
BMW once set the record for the longest continuous drift, with the drifting lasting eight hours during a world record run in South Carolina with the new M5.
The German car manufacturer did this back in 2018, with the then-new BMW M5 conducting the drifting to set the record at eight hours straight.
During this run, the M5 needed refuelling, and incredibly, the car company was able to do this on the move.
Not only was the continuous drifting record broken, but BMW also set a second world record thanks to the presence of a second car.
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How BMW set the drifting record with the M5
The record attempt took place in 2018, in partnership with Detroit Speed.
At the wheel of the drifting BMW was instructor Johan Schwartz.
The record itself took place at the BMW Performance Center in Greer, South Carolina.
Schwartz was tasked with driving the M5 for as long as possible, but at some point, the car would need refuelling.
So BMW and Detroit Speed came up with a very clever system.
They built a custom refuelling system that allowed the car to refuel on the move.
This is where the second M5 came in, driven by Matt Mullins with Matt Butts on refueling duties.
The clever system ensured the record-setting M5 would not need to stop.
Two world records were broken on the same day
Incredibly, BMW was able to break two world records on the same day.
First, there was the longest continuous drift.
This was the record set by Schwartz in his M5.
Then there was a record set by Mullins in the second car along with Schwartz.
The two drifted together for an hour, for a total of 49.25 miles.
It was the longest continuous twin-drift recorded in the world.
That was a record just as impressive as the eight-hour drift.
Butts, from Detroit Speed, was the man tasked with refuelling the two cars.
This was a fraught affair, as he had to straddle the space between the two cars by leaning out of his rear window.
Thankfully, the system worked, and it kept the main car on the move.
Both drifting records were truly remarkable achievements.
Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
