The KAMAZ-master team shared their progress on the KAMAZ 54901 drift truck, which was inveiled in 2025 on the eve of the start of the racing season.
The first show of the truck was held at the festival of RDS, July 2025. The basis is taken from a serial long-haul truck tractor KAMAZ 54901, which comes off the assembly line of the plant. However, the truck has participated only at statical demonstration, so real dynamic capabilities were evaluated only by its characteristics, but now the audience was able to observe its exterior and see interior.
In 2026, the team stepped forward to active testing and modification.
As the Head of the team Eduard Nikolaev stated, adaptation of long-haul truck tractor to drift performance is not only the experiment, but the part of the marketing strategy. “Our goal is a demonstration of KAMAZ truck not only at race routes, but at different brand events featuring our team. We want to bring motorsport fans closer to our KAMAZ trucks, to show its capabilities, dynamics at race venues.”
It is interesting fact, that the team uses the same long-haul tractor for transporting spare tires KAMA, fitted at race trucks.
Anton Shibalov, truck test-pilot, told how the truck for drift is modified and what tasks are set ahead.
“We boosted KAMAZ 910.52-460 engine (R6, 13 litres, which rolls straight off the factory assembly line) up to 700 h/p. To control semi-truck and perform new characteristics, we optimized weight balance with rear axle ballasting. Gearbox is automatic. The truck was tested at ice ring, performing well and being interesting to control. On ice, fitted with studded tires, it shows great potential in terms of power and driving dynamics. We haven’t tested it on dry asphalt yet, but we hope to try it out in real drift conditions very soon. We are also currently working on the truck’s exterior design”
“Projects like this help pilots hone their precision truck maneuvering on asphalt courses. The responsibilities at promotional events are the same: ensuring safety, demonstrating controlled drifting, generating plenty of smoke, and performing spectacular close-proximity maneuvers alongside a teammate. And, of course, showcasing the beauty of our KAMAZ-trucks”, summarized Eduard Nikolaev.
A dynamic presentation of the fully ready serial long-haul truck tractor KAMAZ-54901 unit is expected in the summer of 2026 at one of the events featuring the KAMAZ-master team.
