Can Sandel Atasoy

PERSONNEL · TÜRKIYE

Can Sandel Atasoy

16 years of experience with APEXMASTERS

StaffMedia/PhotographerMedia/Videographer

ABOUT

Career Background

Can Sandel Atasoy is a figure who discovered his passion for drifting and motorsports at a young age. He began his motorsports career in 2010, working as part of the media team for the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) and the ApexMasters Türkiye Drift Championship. In 2011, he took an active early role in the drifting community as both photographer and announcer at Turkey’s first official drift competition, the Landirenzo Drift Challenge.

In 2012, when a name was being sought for Turkey’s new national drift series, Atasoy proposed the name “ApexMasters,” which he had long used in racing simulations—and that name went on to become the official title of the country’s drift championship. With this contribution, he directly influenced the formation of Turkish drift culture.

Over the years, Atasoy participated in many prominent motorsports events. A major turning point came in 2014 when he became the official photographer at Intercity Istanbul Park, Turkey’s only Formula 1 racetrack. From 2014 to 2016, he worked trackside capturing images of major international and national series, including the World RX (World Rallycross Championship), RX Lites, Ferrari Challenge, and Turkish Circuit Championship. These experiences cemented his place in the drifting and racing community as he captured some of the sport’s most thrilling moments.

He served for many years as a key member of the media team at the ApexMasters Türkiye Drift Championship, producing countless unforgettable images. Internationally, Atasoy's career advanced further when, in 2020, he joined the Team Faruk crew—competing in the Formula Drift Pro Championship in the USA—as a media director and spotter (a strategic assistant guiding the driver during competition). This role made him part of the world’s most competitive drifting series.

In 2021, he attended the prestigious Velocity Invitational event at California’s iconic Laguna Seca Raceway as a guest. There, he captured a historic moment showing a Ferrari 250 GTO and a Jaguar C-Type side by side. Event organizers took notice of the photo and contacted him to use it in official brochures and billboards. His internationally recognized success at this event helped expand his career onto a global stage. Today, Atasoy continues to actively pursue work in the field of drift and automotive racing both in Turkey and abroad.

Technical Skills

Atasoy possesses deep technical knowledge in the field of drift and performance vehicles. He has hands-on experience in vehicle setup and performance-enhancing modifications. He worked on a Nissan S13 2JZ engine swap project, contributing to the preparation of the Vi-PEC ECU with support from DR ECU. Through this project, he gained practical experience in engine transplants, turbocharging systems, and drivetrain components.

He also developed expertise in ECU tuning and engine calibration by collaborating with specialists. He has worked on performance optimization projects with engine management software companies like DR ECU and ECUFast, gaining mastery in ECU programming, ignition and fuel mapping, and troubleshooting.

He is highly familiar with suspension systems and chassis dynamics, actively following ideal drift car setups, such as maximizing steering angle using Wisefab kits. Atasoy also has direct experience with driving techniques and vehicle control, cultivated through years of simulation racing and track/drift practice. These experiences proved vital during his 2020 role as a spotter in Formula Drift, where he strategically guided the driver throughout the race.

From 2015 to 2019, he also worked with TeamART Carbon & Motorsports, where he gained hands-on experience with carbon fiber and composite materials, contributing to the design and development of race cars. His familiarity with aerodynamic design and chassis fabrication has added both technical depth and visual understanding to his photography work.

In summary, Can Sandel Atasoy is a well-rounded professional with deep knowledge and practical experience in every aspect of a drift car—from engine to suspension, from electronics to driving strategy.

Achievements

  • 2011: Participated in Turkey’s first official drift race, the Landirenzo Drift Challenge, as photographer and announcer, helping lay the foundation for the Turkish drifting scene.
  • 2012: Proposed the name ApexMasters, which became the official title of Turkey’s national drift championship.
  • 2014: Selected as official photographer for Intercity Istanbul Park and documented major international series like World RX and Ferrari Challenge.
  • 2020: Joined Team Faruk in the Formula Drift series in the U.S., becoming one of the few Turks to hold an active role in the American drift arena.
  • 2021: Captured a historic image of a Ferrari 250 GTO and Jaguar C-Type at the Velocity Invitational. The photo was selected by the event organizers for use in official publications and signage, earning Atasoy international recognition.

His achievements are not limited to formal titles or positions. The countless special moments he’s documented and the original content he’s produced have earned him deep respect within the drift and motorsports community.

Teams and Sponsors

DR ECU & ECUFast – Collaborated on ECU remapping, chip tuning, diagnostics, and participated in major tuning shows including SEMA in Las Vegas.
TeamART Carbon & Motorsports – Joined in 2015; worked on carbon fiber fabrication and aerodynamic development until 2019, contributing to the engineering of high-performance vehicles.
Huffaker Motorsports – A California-based racing team specializing in vintage race cars. Atasoy documented their events at Sonoma Raceway, expanding his international motorsports presence.
Global Brand Partners – Over the years, Atasoy has collaborated with many globally recognized brands:

  • ENEOS – Worked on projects with Team Faruk, gaining experience in oil and fluid sponsorship dynamics.
  • Brembo – Worked on modification projects involving high-performance braking systems.
  • Hoonigan – Featured in content involving this globally influential motorsports media brand.
  • Wisefab and Nuke Performance – Frequently used and documented these advanced components in drift car builds.

SGK Performance & DevSpeed – From 2019 onward, SGK Performance (based at Sonoma Raceway, California) became Atasoy’s workshop base during the Formula Drift season. He contributed to the preparation and storage of Team Faruk’s car “Razetil.” His work and story have been featured on platforms like Development of Speed (DevSpeed), which highlighted his role as team photographer and technical contributor.

These partnerships have helped him build a strong network both in the paddock and across global media platforms.

Personal Information

Can Sandel Atasoy was born on July 12, 1993, in Trabzon, Turkey. At age four, his family moved to Istanbul, where he developed early interests in photography, art, and automotive culture. Growing up in Istanbul’s Maslak industrial zone, he built close ties with garages and mechanics, learning the fundamentals of car modification and tuning from local mentors.

Atasoy is also a content creator who uses social media effectively. Under the handle @cansandelatasoy, he shares moments from tracks and garages with thousands of followers on platforms like Instagram. He also creates educational and entertaining videos for platforms like YouTube, inspiring and informing a younger generation of motorsports enthusiasts.

He frequently shares his photographs with drivers and event organizers, often free of charge, as part of his commitment to promoting the sport. From helping name Turkey’s national drift series to achieving success at global events, Atasoy has become a role model within the racing community. Today, he continues to mentor aspiring photographers and drivers, contributing to the growth of motorsports in both Turkey and the international scene.

RACE INVOLVEMENT