A PROFESSIONAL drift racer is building the world’s first road-legal “super pick-up truck” in Southend and is urging residents to get involved with his interactive show.

Steve Biagioni, 33, is replacing the standard engine of a Nissan Navara-R with a 1000 horsepower GT-R engine in a bid to make history.

Fans of the British and European Drift Champion are invited to join in the progress of the build, which is taking place while the racing season is on hold, by tuning into his YouTube channel.

Mr Biagioni, who is the founder of the Wakering Road-based SB Motorsport, said: “This project has always been on the cards for SB Motorsport, ever since our initial GTR project.

“With racing currently on hold, this was the break we needed to re-visit the idea and bring it to fruition.

“We have the best partners and they share our vision to create another great vehicle that will challenge the normalities of what’s possible. This is going to be an exciting mix of performance meets practicality.”

Braintree and Witham Times:

Hard at work - SB Motorsport

Mr Biagioni has been at the forefront of the motorsport world for a number of years and was a headline Drift driver at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

But, with the coronavirus pandemic meaning competitors are unable to go head-to-head, it proved to be the perfect time for him to set a new challenge.

Mr Biagioni and SB Motorsport, the company behind “Europe’s wildest Nissan GTR Drift car build” are taking full advantage of lockdown to tackle the project - branded the team’s most challenging build to date.

The VR38 twin-turbo GTR engine will replace the standard diesel option for a “performance punching engine package” from the infamous GTR sports car.

Mr Biagioni, 33, added: “The Navara-R, as we have already dubbed it, will challenge our in-house know-how.

“With this build, the aim is to keep the Navara road-legal and all the modcons of the vehicle rather than creating a race-car chassis with minimal extras.

“I’m confident in our team here at SB Motorsport and am honestly excited to see the development and work alongside our partners, who happen to be the world’s leading experts in their respected fields.”

To track the progress of the historical build, visit Mr Biagioni’s YouTube channel.