D1NZ round 2 Waikaraka 09

Hey Team,

After our strong result at Round 1 of the D1NZ Championship in Manfield we were set and focused heading into Round 2 last weekend. D1NZ announced that it would be held locally and would also be the first drift event to take place in central Auckland. The venue was Waikaraka Park Speedway. You’re probably thinking oval dirt track. Well yes the oval dirt track was transformed into a pit paddock and the usual sealed pit area was transformed into a super tight drift track with five main clipping points including a long wall of barriers were they judged us more like the USA style where you need to get the rear of your car within 15cm of the clipping points. This would make for lots of damaged rear bumpers later in the day.

By the time they had dismantled part of the track and let me squeeze our rig through the concrete barriers to the infield all the good places in pit had been taken. We parked smack in the middle next to the burnout pad which had also been converted to a Radio Control Drift Track where they had the 1st round of the RC D1NZ champs which I was kindly invited as a guest to judge their top4 battles and present the prizes to the winners at the end of their day. Never mind being in the middle of the pit area when we have a huge truck seems it pulls the crowd there and gets us the most exposure no matter where we are.

So any way after putting on a show through practice and qualifying the crowd had grown immensely and seemed to love the atmosphere of the small track where they could get themselves super close to the action. It had the feel of how the Japanese pack huge crowds into tight venues. Lunch break was once again spent signing posters and talking to fans. My crew had told me I would clearly have qualified in the top3 then qualifying results were announced and we qualified 2nd behind Gaz Whiter in his S14.

We are now running the new Goodyear Asymmetric tyres which proved to be superb once we had capitalized on the tyre pressures. The car felt fast and had an advantage with the HKS sequential box where some drivers would have made one gear change through the entire section where I would do 5.

TOP16:

Paired up against B-Rad Smith in a rather serious and cool loaned R33 sedan I would chase 1st being the higher qualifier. Unfortunately for Brad he spun on the entry giving me an easy advantage. My lead run I just drove like I did in qualifying and didn’t need to pull anything drastic to take the win. Sorry Brad but congratulations for making top 16 in a loaned car.

TOP8:

Now paired up with the guy that I personally thought earned the number 1 qualifying result Jason Sellers. He had an awesome line which allowed him to hold the throttle wide open the entire way from the second clipping point. It was very impressive to watch. I knew that my advantage here would be speed in my lead run. With myself Chasing 1st I needed to left foot brake a lot around the wall.  With Jason holding his C33 Laurel wide open on his chase unfortunately the lack of traction, extra length and weight of his car wouldn’t allow him stay with the nimble MADBUL RX7.

TOP4:

I would meet up against Carl Ruiterman in his S14, Now Carl also has competed in the states so he also has had some experience to find out how much length he has behind him to be within zone of the outer clipping points on the walls. I chased 1st and felt he didn’t really push himself, being able match his line, angle and speed and also use the left foot brake method to keep on his rear quarter whilst burning more rubber creating more smoke. My lead run I managed to advance with a win putting myself in the Finals.

Finals:

Here we go again, I really love to battle with FANGA known to not hold back nor be afraid to swap a bit of paint between cars whilst in battle it always makes it that much better for the crowds as drifting is all about putting on a show. The different characters, personalities and vehicles we drive creates a huge following and fan base between each driver. Now FANGA is back in a competitive chassis building another S15 but with more horsepower and some other goodies his old S15 was lacking this was sure going to be an exciting FINAL. I would chase first Craig gave us the thumbs up, Fanga takes off I was not going to give him an inch. I switched slightly before him coming in to the first left hand clipping point this way I can switch and set myself up before him for the long right hand sweeper even though im behind him I climb on the throttle and have set myself up perfect as he switches I now just held it wide open and felt my front wheel on full lock ride up his rear wheel. I couldn’t have done it any better and gained advantage.

My turn for a lead run and FANGA actually took off before me! I went as fast as I could to try catch him for the first switch however FANGA sets himself up and starts drifting with me behind him? Oh well FANGA must have just been over excited and I ended up having another close chase run behind him to give the crowd a show. Craig lined us back up told FANGA that he was meant to chase, I had the advantage at this stage but sure knew the S15 was going to give me tap at some stage through the section. We both backed as far back as possible to allow maximum run up for the first corner, We make eye contact and I power the RX7 as fast as I can, I initiate the drift through the left hander and just after I had set myself up for the sweeper BANG! FANGA came flying in tapped my rear quarter, not enough to spin me but enough to give me more momentum to pull away. We were awarded the win! At last after a numerous amount of 2nd and 3rd placings I finally come home with a win.

The points standings have not been announced yet but we will have a Championship lead heading into Round 3 at Pukekohe Raceway on the 1st and 2nd of May where I will be competing in the new RX8. “CAN’T WAIT!”

Thank you all for your continued support
MADMIKE