It’s anyone’s game as the country’s top drifters gear up for the opening round of this season’s Cody’s D1NZ National Drifting Championship at Hampton Downs this weekend.
Whangarei’s Daniel ‘Fanga Dan’ Woolhouse (Castrol Edge Holden Commodore V8) won the title last season but it was a close-run thing and series CEO and organiser Brendon White reckons it will be the same this year.
“It’s the nature of the beast,” says White. “The depth in the D1 category is now so great that that at any one event there are at least 10 guys vying for a place on the podium and five or six in with a real chance to standing on the top step.”
In that ten are former series champions Curt Whittaker (Autosure Warranties 2JZ Nissan R34 Skyline) and Gary ‘Gaz’ Whiter (Tectaloy Nissan S14 V8), and Auckland-based international ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett (Red Bull/Speedhunters Mazda RX7/8).
Whiddett has looked a likely title winner for the past two years, but each time has been pipped at the post, in 2012 by Curt Whittaker and earlier this year by Daniel Woolhouse.
This year’s D1 field is again oversubscribed with 34 drivers set to battle for the 32 qualifying spots.
Set to take the battle to the top four are Aucklanders Andrew Redward (Achilles Tyre Mazda RX7 V8), Zak Pole (Rollei Nissan R33 Skyline), Daynom Templeman (NAC Insurance 2JZ Mazda RX7) and Nico Reid (Luxury Sports Nissan S15), Troy Forsythe from Christchurch (Rapid Performance Nissan S13) and Cole Armstrong from Tauranga (V Energy Nissan Skyline).
Big things are also expected from – amongst others – last year’s Pro-Am champion Darren Kelly in his new Thirsty Liquor-sponsored Nissan R34 Skyline, the series’ top female driver, Jodie Verhulst and her Toyota Supra, and 18-year-old Aucklander Joe Kukutai who this season will drive former series Pro-Am champion Cam Vernon’s 2.9 litre Nissan R32 Skyline.
There will also be plenty of interest in the return – this time for the full season – of V8 Supercar and SuperTourer star Shane van Gisbergen who will again share ‘The Rattla,’ the wild Federal Tyres-backed V8-powered Ford Falcon with owner Shane Allen from Waiuku.
Having seen how well van Gisbergen went in his debut year, another young circuit star, Auckland-based Jono Lester, will also make his Cody’s D1NZ debut this season, sharing the 2 Degrees and CRC-backed 7-litre V8-powered Nissan 700Z with its owner/driver, Sky Zhao in later rounds following Round 3.
The Pro-Am support class is also well-supported this season with 28 drivers registered.
Heading the list this year is Michael Thorley (Femme Fatale Nissan C33 Laurel) and set to provide competition are fellow Aucklanders Gareth Grove (Smith & Davies Nissan S14) and Troy Jenkins (Juice Polishes Nissan S15), as well as former motorcycle road-racer Sam Smith from Pukekohe (Elite Tint Nissan S15).
Finally, in a groundbreaking move sure to be followed by other codes, fans will also be able to directly support their favourite driver by purchasing tickets via a link on the driver’s website or facebook page to internet-based ticketing agency Iticket.
Each team which has committed to a full season has been given a link and $3 from every ticket sold will be returned to the driver when fans click on there supplied link to buy tickets.
This season’s Cody’s D1NZ National Drifting Championship kicks off at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park with Pro-Am and D1 Pro practice on Saturday November 16 and the main competition day on Sunday November 17, with subsequent rounds in Whangarei, Tauranga, Taupo, Christchurch and Pukekohe.
For more information go to www.d1nz.co.nz or check out the Cody’s D1NZ Facebook page.
