With less than 100 points – 71.5 to be exact – separating the top four contenders heading into the final round of this seasons’ Cody’s D1NZ National Drifting Championship in Taupo over the June 22-23 weekend, the difference between winning and losing could well come down to who wants the 10th annual D1NZ Drift King title the most says defending champion Curt Whittaker.
Whittaker, who drives the Autosure Warranties-backed Toyota 2JZ turbo-powered Nissan Skyline R34 coupe, has been in contention to win the Cody’s D1NZ title for the past two years and after losing out to series veteran Gaz Whiter (Tectaloy Nissan S14 V8) at the final in 2011 came back to beat high-profile Auckland-based international ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett (Red Bull/Speedhunters Mazda RX7) at the final in 2012.
“I was definitely hungrier second time around, “says Whittaker, who after an up-and-down 2012/13 season lies fourth in the series points standings behind long-time leader, 2006 D1NZ champion Daniel ‘Fanga Dan’ Woolhouse (Castrol Edge Holden Commodore V8), Whiddett and fellow Aucklander Andrew Redward (Achilles Tyre Mazda RX7 V8).
Whiddett and Woolhouse have both won two series rounds apiece so far, with Whiddett coming on strong in the latter part of the season after Woolhouse dominated the early rounds. Heading into the Achilles Radial NZ-supported final round at Taupo’s Ricoh Motorsport Park they are just 28.5 points apart with consistent finisher Redward third just 6.5 seconds back.
Whiddett narrowly beat Woolhouse, Whittaker and Redward to win the BP Ultimate Triple Crown series-within-a-series (contested over the Manfeild, Tauranga and Christchurch rounds) but Woolhouse has just won Drift Motorsport NZ’s D-Comp event at Taupo, giving him a better idea of the track and course conditions.
Also, such is the depth of talent in the D1 ranks at the moment that the winner of the final round might not necessarily be the winner of the 2012/13 title.
” It’s just so competitive out there at the moment,” confirms Whittaker, “any one of ten drivers could come through and win the round.”
Included in that list are series young guns Nico Reid (Luxury Sports Nissan S15) and Hugo McLean (Grabatool 20B rotary-powered Toyota AE86), the winner of the round the last time the Cody’s D1NZ series visited the Taupo circuit, Aucklander Daynom Templeman (NAC Insurance Toyota 2JZ-powered Mazda RX7), three-time former series champion Gaz Whiter from Dargaville and fast-rising Aucklander Zak Pole (Rollei Bullet HD Nissan Skyline R33).
Also doing better with each round is the series’ most high-profile rookie, V8 Supercar and SuperTourer racer Shane van Gisbergen who will back at Taupo sharing the crowd-pleasing Federal Tyres-backed ‘Rattla’ Ford Falcon V8 with friend and namesake Shane Allen from Tuakau.
It’s just as close points-wise in the Pro-Am support class heading into the final series round with less than 100 points separating leader Darren Kelly (DKM Fabrications Nissan R32) from Auckland from fourth-placed Jacob Hakaraia (DTM Wheels Nissan S13).
In-between are Matt Lauder (Shred Industries Nissan 180SX) from Wellington and the country’s top female drifter, Jodie Verhulst (Mag & Turbo Tauranga/Elf oil Toyota Supra) from Tauranga.
Having won Pro-Am at three of the five previous rounds Kelly is the obvious favourite, but a low-scoring opening round (thanks to turbo failure) means he is still just 33 points up on first round winner Lauder who in turn is only 28 points ahead of Verhulst.
This season has seen 60-strong fields at each Cody’s D1NZ round and series organizer Brendon White has confirmed at least that many across the two (D1 and Pro-Am) categories at Taupo.
The final is a full two-day meeting with practice for both D1 and Pro-Am categories on Saturday morning before Pro-Am qualifying and first battles in the afternoon.
Sunday then brings D1NZ qualifying, the final Pro-Am battles, and the final D1 battles of the season in the afternoon.
With support from Replay XD local car enthusiasts group Undefined Car Club is also putting on a Hard Park (car show) at the event with prizes for the best car in a number of different categories. And to help promote the event in the Taupo/Bay of Plenty area local drivers William Foster and Rene Richmond are visiting schools and distributing tickets this and next week.
Tomorrow (Thursday June 13) and Friday they will be in Rotorua, Thursday and Friday next week Taupo.
For more information on the event go to the Cody’s D1NZ facebook page.
