In the world of drifting, there are many ways to get started. At just 18 years old, Mathew Jensen chose the road less traveled as he bought a Dodge Charger SRT® Hellcat, and over the past few years has made his mark in the community with this build. Now a full-time drifter, Mathew’s journey from YouTube enthusiast to sponsored driver is a story of grit, ingenuity and a relentless passion for four-door power. With a manual-swapped Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat as his weapon of choice, he’s on his way to Formula Drift, fueled by social media success and a roster of dedicated sponsors.
Mathew’s love for the Charger SRT Hellcat began in 2015 when he saw a video of the world’s most powerful sedan. “I gravitated toward four-doors,” he recalls. Working at an exotic car dealership, he jumped at the chance to buy an SRT Hellcat when one rolled in.
It started with donuts in a parking lot, but Mathew quickly progressed to Sonoma Raceway, moving from the skid pad to high-speed drifting on the track. His YouTube channel documenting his builds and drifting exploits took off, providing the funds to cover gas, event fees and upgrades. “The funds started adding up, and I could hit more events,” he says. That same 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, now battle-scarred from at least five crashes, including one that required chopping the entire rear from the window back, remains his ride today.
Mathew’s Dodge Charger is no showroom cruiser. It’s a purpose-built drift car with a manual swap that sets it apart. Using parts from a Dodge Challenger, the car runs a TR6060 six-speed transmission and a rear end with 3:90 gears, both sourced from a manual Challenger. The swap wasn’t easy. City Performance, onboard since 2018, handled the fabrication, cutting the transmission tunnel to make it work. Driveshaft Pro supplied a custom driveshaft, while ECU Dynamics reprogrammed the factory Charger modules to communicate with the manual setup, using just the engine harness.
The drivetrain is bulletproof now, thanks to G Force Outlaw axles rated for 2,000 horsepower. “I went through 15 sets of stock axles before that,” Mathew admits. Power comes from a supercharged 6.2L HEMI® engine with a 2.75 upper pulley, 1,300cc fuel injectors, a booster pump and E85, producing a tire-shredding 831-wheel horsepower. A catless exhaust with straight pipes gives it a roar that echoes across tracks. To keep temperatures in check, an FI Interchiller cools the supercharger, while BC Racing coilovers (with plans for stiffer springs) handle the suspension duties.
The game-changer, though, is the new angle kit from AAD Performance. “It’s like a cheat code,” Mathew says. “Over 70 degrees of turning radius, and I’m not spinning out anymore.” A dual-caliper hydraulic handbrake setup is in the works, and a cage is next to make the car Formula Drift-eligible.
Mathew’s rise wouldn’t be possible without his sponsors, a tight-knit group that keeps his SRT Hellcat competitive. Underground Tuning, his main sponsor, handles the car’s tuning with precision. “Last Sunday at 6 a.m. their time, 9 a.m. in Missouri, they were on the phone with new files and revised tunes,” he says. City Performance laid the foundation with the manual swap and suspension work, while SR Garage keeps the car spotless, scrubbing off rubber after events. Mantic Clutch USA provides a triple-disc clutch with an aluminum flywheel that “engages like stock,” and Richmond Tires saves him on tire costs with mounting and balancing.
All County Air Conditioning, a friend from Mathew’s school days, funds tires and gas, while RF Coatings powder-coats supercharger lids, wheels and the snout. Team Elite Genetics and Auto Design Pro, which designed and installed his eye-catching livery, round out the funding and aesthetic support. AAD Performance is testing their groundbreaking LS-platform angle kit with Mathew, cementing his role as a pioneer in SRT Hellcat drifting.
Drifting a 4,500-pound Charger SRT Hellcat isn’t easy. “The biggest challenge was the axles,” Mathew says, recalling the days of snapping stock units. The car’s weight and power demand precision, and even now, small issues like front wheels catching the fender or a recent power steering failure that led to a wall tap keep him on his toes. “Got lucky on that one,” he says.
Nowadays, his daily driver, a Jeep® Grand Cherokee, handles street duties, leaving the Charger as a track-only drifter that sometimes gets driven to local events.
Mathew’s goal is clear, Formula Drift. He’s already rubbing elbows with pros at Sonoma events, but the Charger still needs a cage and other tweaks to meet FD regulations. The new angle kit has been a “game-changer” for controlling the car’s massive power, and with friends Eddie and Tony helping out, Mathew’s building a team as dedicated as he is.
Mathew’s story is one of hustle and heart. From a kid watching YouTube videos to a sponsored drifter living off social media and sponsor support, he’s proof that passion can pave the way. His SRT Hellcat, battered but unbowed, embodies his relentless drive. With the right upgrades and relentless effort, Mathew Jensen and his manual-swapped Charger SRT Hellcat could soon be tearing up Formula Drift tracks, redefining what a four-door sedan can do.
For now, he’s testing AAD’s angle kit, chasing bigger angles and keeping his sponsors proud. As he puts it, “It’s just me, the Hellcat, and the track. We’re getting there.”
Be sure to follow Mathew Jensen on both Instagram and YouTube
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