The Cody’s D1NZ National Drifting Championship returns south over the Easter weekend for it’s penultimate 2012/13 round at Christchurch’s Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna Park.

It’s been two year’s since the Cody’s D1NZ championship has had a round in the South Island and the return, says series CEO and event organiser Brendon White, is not before time.

“We’re a National championship and even in the early days of the series we had rounds at Ruapuna so it was important for us to get back as soon as we practically could.”

Though the majority of the competitors contesting the Cody’s D1NZ championship are from north of Taupo the Christchurch round has attracted another capacity field of just over 60 entries spread evenly across the D1 (Pro) and Pro-Am classes.

The fact that the round is also the final one of three making up the BP Ultimate Triple Crown series-within-a-series, with its extra prize pool including a year’s supply of BP Ultimate petrol, has helped.

But White says the venue and strong local drift scene is the main reason.

“Historically Ruapuna  been one of the most popular and best supported rounds of the D1NZ championship. The drivers love it, the fans love it and by having the round at Easter it’s easier on the North Island guys in terms of taking time off work and getting to and from.”

Form-wise the drivers to look for at the round are former D1NZ champion and 2012/13 season series points leader Daniel ‘Fanga Dan’ Woolhouse (Castrol Edge Holden Commodore V8) from Whangarei, Aucklander Andrew Redward (Achilles Tyre Mazda RX7 V8) who is currently second overall, and the winner of the most recent Cody’s series round, high-profile Auckland-based international ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett (Red Bull/Speedhunters Mazda RX7/8).

Defending Cody’s D1NZ title holder Curt Whittaker (Autosure Warranties 2JZ Nissan Skyline R34) is also still very much in with a chance, and after some impressive performances at North Island rounds, big things are expected from the top local competitor, Christchurch’s Troy ‘The Family Guy’ Forsythe (Rapid Performance Nissan S13).

The Easter round at Ruapuna Park will also see the return of V8 Supercar and V8 Super Tourer series star Shane van Gisbergen, who where commitments have allowed has been sharing the Federal Tyres’ Ford Falcon V8 with regular driver Shane Allen of Waiuku.

Troy Forsythe will not be the only local driver competing either. Drift South series veteran Cody Collis (Nissan S13) who has also contested the North Island rounds of this season’s series, is entered, as are fellow Christchurch drivers Johnny Latham (Mazda RX7 V8) and Chris Jackson (SurFab Nissan S14).

In the Pro-Am ranks Wellingtonian Matt Lauder (Shred Motorsport Nissan 180 SX) has retained his series points lead from the first round but Aucklander Darren Kelly (DKM Fabrication Nissan R32) has been steadily chipping away at the points difference since a dnf at the first round and is now just 13 points behind, with the country’s top female drifter, Tauranga’s Jodie Verhulst (Mag & Turbo Tauranga/Elf Lubricants Toyota Supra) third a further 37 points back.

There will be action on track both days on Easter Saturday and Sunday with practice for both the D1 and Pro-Am categories before Pro-Am qualifying and first battles on Saturday then the final Pro-Am battles and D1 qualifying and battles on Sunday.

For more information go to the Cody’s D1NZ facebook page.