A fan-friendly formula is the reason for ever-increasing spectator numbers at Cody’s D1NZ National Drifting Championship events says series CEO Brendon White.

Since White took over the reins of the series seven years ago spectator numbers have sky-rocketed, culminating in a record-setting 8000+ crowd at the series’ newest venue, the ASB Baypark stadium at Mount Maunganui in January this year.

It’s not just the temporary venues which attract the crowds either.

Last season saw record numbers at the South Island round at Christchurch’s Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna Park and at the delayed series final at Taupo’s Ricoh Motorsport Park.

With its heady mix of speed, smoke and cars sliding sideways within millimetres of each other in a series of quick-fire elimination battles it is not hard to see the attraction of the sport. But there’s more to the conspicuous success of the local series than that, says White, who though just 29-years-of-age has been involved in event organisation, promotion and new media industries for over 10 years.

“I think the key thing here,” he says, “is that we see ourselves as part of the entertainment business. Sure we’ve got a fresh, exciting product which is a proven hit with fans all over the world but like everyone else chasing the discretionary dollar we have to work very hard to get the mix at our events right for the fans. If we do we’ll pack out the venue and the event will go off. If we don’t, we’re like any other promoter, we try and analyse what happened and why then work doubly hard so that if or when we return it’s to a full house again.”

For instance, despite its fast, spectacular drift section, not to mention proximity to Auckland, Hampton Downs has been a bogey round for the past two seasons. So this year White has decided to kick the 2013/14 series off there (rather than have the round later in the season) and is adding extra grandstand seating adjacent to the drifted section. He hopes that, plus other planning entertainment options, will bring the crowds back.

After the Hampton Downs round over the November 16-17 weekend the 2013/14 title chase heads to Whangarei in December, Mount Maunganui in January, Taupo in February and Christchurch in April (Easter Weekend) before returning north for a gala series finale at Pukekohe Park Raceway in May.

Lack of suitable dates means the usual season-opener at Feilding’s Manfeild circuit is missing from this year’s schedule but White says it will be back.

And though there are no all-new venues like there were last year White says that at some stage in the future he would like to see a round of the Cody’s series in Taranaki. He’d also love to see one in downtown Wellington, even one in the recently re-opened Red Zone in downtown Christchurch.

The series’ roster of internationally-known, fan-friendly drivers is also a key drawcard, as evidenced by the epic season-long battle for the 2012/13 Drift King title between Whangarei folk-hero Daniel ‘Fanga Dan’ Woolhouse and his Castrol Edge-backed Holden Commodore V8 and Auckland-based international ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett and his pair of Red-Bull-backed rotary-engined Mazdas.

Both are back this year (with Woolhouse in a new car), as are the other key players in the premier D1 class, 2012 champion Curt Whittaker (Autosure Warranties 2JZ Toyota-powered Nissan R34 coupe) from Auckland, three-time former series champion Gary ‘Gaz’ Whiter (Tectaloy Chev V8-powered Nissan S14) from Dargaville, Cole Armstrong from Tauranga (V-Energy Nissan Skyline) and Daynom Templeman from Auckland (NAC Insurance 2JZ Toyota-powered Mazda RX7).

Big things are also expected of last season’s giant-slayer, Aucklander Zak Pole (Rollei HD Cameras Nissan Skyline R33). The Albany, North Shore, driver twice won battles against ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett last season and claimed his first podium at the Taupo final.

Another expected to shine is 2013/14 Pro-Am support category winner Darren Kelly who is moving up to the D1 Pro class this season with a new DKM Fabrication-backed car.

Back for more, too, after a successful toe-in-the-water exercise last year, will be V8 Supercar and Super Tourer ace Shane van Gisbergen. He will again share the high horsepower Federal Tyre-backed Ford Falcon V8 dubbed ‘The Rattla’ with its owner, Shane Allen from Waiuku, this time at all the series rounds.

In fact, the ease with which van Gisbergen took to the sideways sport has prompted interest from other mainstream motorsport competitors with another circuit racer plus a speedway ace also expected to share cars with existing series drivers over the 2013/14 season.

Finally, with Darren Kelly and fellow 2012/13 podium placegetters Matt Lauder from Wellington and top female drifter Jodie Verhulst from the Bay of Plenty making the move from the Pro-Am to the D1 Pro class this season, the way is now open for a new generation of rookie drivers to strut their stuff in the Pro-Am category.

Of the 30 plus so far entered three of the big improvers from the 2012/13 season, Michael Thorley (Femme Fatale Nissan Laurel), Vincent Langhorn and Gareth Grove, all from Auckland, should be the ones to watch.

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.

For more information go to www.d1nz.co.nz or check out the Cody’s D1NZ Facebook page.