Returning to New Zealand from work in Australia has proven to be a gamble worth taking for 25 year old professional Drifter Cole Armstrong, taking first place in the NAC Insurance National Drift Championship attended by some 3000 performance driven fans at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park this weekend.
Proving that the young and tested driver is ready for further honours with the upcoming D1NZ 2013/2014 season, Armstrong – now in his fifth competitive season took the top spot in a final battle against former three time D1NZ champion Gary Whiter, and NZ based Californian Andrew Redward who battled for third and fourth sport against Tauranga’s Drew Donovan.
Armstrong, who has determined plans for the future of his career in the sport, noted the hard work of his NZ based team in his success – the team working non-stop in Armstrong’s absence to prepare his 2013/2014 campaign with tireless focus and commitment were elated at the announcement of Armstrong’s place on the podium in now the fastest growing form of motorsport worldwide.
Armstrong’s arrival before competition was short – taking the 7 hour flight from Perth the night before competition, flying into New Zealand one hour before sign-in on event in order to meet sponsor obligations and his commitment to fans to compete in the 500kilowatt V Energy RB30 Skyline.
“In being in Australia and away from the cars, there’s been a huge commitment from the team around me to pull this season together. There’s a definitive focus to make this season one we can hang our hats on, and with that the determination in racing for me has really shifted from just winning – to winning so that our team, sponsors and fans can share in that feeling too” says Armstrong.
“Coming off the plane and into the weekend the focus felt good, from start to finish everyone felt something different in the air, and we all put it down to the preparation that had been put in by the team prior to Saturday.”
The day flowed well for Armstrong – even after gearbox issues in practice (a common issue in drifting due to the strain of large power loads under instant demand) the team conscientiously continued battle by battle, to work their way through opponents in what seemed to be uncomplicated and determined fashion.
“There was definitely more focus for me on battle requirements over what was going on around me” says Armstrong. “Luck definitely fell on our side this weekend – and in competitive situations in drifting so much is about luck – and what you do with that luck makes all the difference.”
With top fellow D1NZ contenders such as Mad Mike Whiddett and gun Nico Reid and out of competition due to mechanical issues, Armstrong moved on confidently to turn his focus to concentrating on the elements, the opponents, their vehicles and the competitions judging requirements.
The turning point for Armstrong was seen in his battle with fellow GT Radial tyres team mate and professional drifting veteran Carl Ruiterman. After a top score and run from Ruiterman, who was seeded in the competition first after qualifying an error in judgement of weather and track conditions caused Ruiterman to spin allowing Armstrong to take the win after keeping composure through his ability to avoid collision with Ruiterman on his chase lap.
“It was a disappointment to see Carl out of contention – but again it’s just one of those things that needs to happen in competition, and I’m glad I was able to recognise that risk in my lead lap prior. That ultimately gave me the chance to win, and I really wanted that for the team and the fans from that point on.”
“The win definitely feels good – and the team has a good thing going. We’re now focussing on the completion of the second car so that it can strengthen our ability to contend for the 2013/2014 D1NZ title against Dan Woolhouse, and everyone else in the series who will be going in to win come November.”
Armstrong’s second car – a 2004 Nissan 250GT Skyline chassis powered by an engine set up yet to be released by the team will double the strength of the team’s 2013 campaign. Anticipated by many to be the trend-setter for a new era in professional drifting nationally, much of the vehicles set up is said to be very different to traditional drift builds and built on technical experience gained from Armstrong’s time in international competition both in Australia and China representing New Zealand in his current and previous Skyline chassis.
Armstrong will return to Australia for work whilst he retains a strong input to his New Zealand based team before returning to New Zealand for the launch of his 250GT and commencement of championship competition this summer.
Armstrong is supported this season in New Zealand by the following sponsors: V Energy, GT Radial Tyres, Armstrong Plumbing, Garrett Turbo, Chester’s Bathroom and Plumbing, Buteline, Steven Sole Customs, Mobil1, E&H Motors Pukekohe, Link ECU, Sinco Customs, Taupo Motorsport Park, Autoclutch and Signart Tauranga.
