Only 2 weeks out from the D1NZ finals we were scheduled to be at Taupo Motorsport Park for round 3 of the NZDRIFT series. After a 2nd and a 3rd placing at the open rounds I was ready a confident to stand tall at this round after the changes we had made to the RX8. The car has improved so much in only 4 competitions. On Saturday afternoon we kicked the rig into gear and headed south with clear skies however the forecast was to turn bad for tomorrows race day. Sunday morning Taupo was fogged over but no rain and the track was in dry condition for our testing sessions first thing. At drivers briefing I was glad to see the judges again had set up the final corner as an out side clipping zone where we would have to get the rear wheels as close to the dirt as possible meaning we would be full throttle over the rumble strips. 'Awesome' as you all know how much I like outside clipping zones. After briefing the fog had cleared and Taupo was awakened by the sound of NZ's finest tuned drift cars warming up ready for testing.

Testing: 

Last time we came to Taupo it was the 1st competition I had competed in with the newly set-up RX8. If you remember we blew our gearbox and was left with only 4th gear and we still managed to battle to the podium. Now with the HKS sequential box installed I was really amped to get out there as our reliability level now is 110%. Wasting no time I found we had so much grip and the judged line was really comfortable. With the HKS box I was actually able to enter the last corner in 3rd throw the car to my out side line and power full throttle through 4th and then quick change to 5th before the end of the judged section. I could see the judges in the bus all give me the thumbs up as we drove into pit lane after the first session. A quick stop into our pit bay for some more Goodyear Asymmetrics a top up of race gas mixed with our Castrol TTS 2stroke and I was back out on the grid. This time it was now pissing down! I changed the settings on the TEIN EDFC to full soft in the rear and Chromey dropped the tyre pressures down. After a few laps I could see a lot of people were struggling in the slippery conditions however the RX8 still felt like it had a lot of grip. The way the new F1 Asymmetric tyres are designed they disperse the water to the outside rather than each side evenly and seems to help a lot in the traction department. After that session a lot of comments were made about how fast we still looked in the wet. I was now set for qualifying.

Qualifying

For qualifying we would line up in reverse points order and were sent out in groups of 3 meaning Gaz Whiter, Myself and Andrew Redwood would be the last to impress. The track by this stage had dried up so we changed back to our dry setup. We are given 3laps and the best run of 3 counts meaning you could spin twice and still have a chance to qualify. After my 1st clean pass I wanted to attack the next 2 really pushing the limit to grab number 1. As I flew into the 1st corner I switched too hard resulting me to spin so I cruised back around for my final run. I could see Gaz was having clean runs. This time again full pace as I snaked down the 1st section hitting the lock stops on each switch and dirt dropped the left hand outside clipping point coming off the straight. ( We are aloud to drop one wheel off with no deductions ) Then clipping the inside tyres marked as the inside clipping point before switching right down the hill setting it up for the final corner where I nailed my line and railed around the outside clipping zone to the finish. This was enuf to secure me the number 1 qualifying spot with a 99.67 in front of Carl Ruiterman with a 94.66.

Lunchbreak and pitwalk

The team pushed the RX8 out of our bay so the public could get a close look as not everyone comes to watch the drifting there are always a few that just like to admire the workmanship in some of the cars and get ideas for their personal projects. We had fresh off the print my new Red Bull MADMIKE merchandise which seemed to sell like hot cakes. There are some die hard supporters out there. I mingled with the public and signed posters for the fans until it was time to line up on the dumby grid for top16.

Top 16

Unfortunately my top16 battle was not going to be an easy one. Here I would meet Fanga Dan in the Dunlop Direzza RB powered Commodore. Fanga had problems during the morning and broke some parts kindly our team welded up some new ones in our pit bay to get him back on the track so he could make qualifying. One of the great things about drifting is all (well most) of the teams are like family and just want to have fun and will all help each other the best they can. Anyway track conditions are now drenched with a heavy down fall of rain and after a top16 parade lap near every car came into the pits to apply anti fog as we all couldn’t see a thing. I would lead 1st we took off and I made a small mistake as my wet foot slipped off the clutch on the last switch resulting a straight line however Fanga also had a minor mistake it would now come down to my chase. I managed to mirror his movements then Fanga slipped wide on the same corner I straight lined earlier this aloud me to power right up tight on his door and then switch back early to power around the last corner hard on his passenger door. I advance with the win.

TOP 8

I would meet Adam Richards in his day-glo Nissan Cefiro. I would lead and although Adam showed good angle and line he was out matched by our traction where I could pull away. This would make it harder for myself to chase as I would need to use the left foot braking method and hand brake a lot more behind him this meaning though that I could stick with him throughout the entire section. He was off line on the last corner. I advance with the win.

TOP 4

Now I was glad to meet Championship points leader Gaz Whiter here for my top 4 battle as I knew my car was a lot stronger than the rest on this circuit and If I could knock Gaz out here it would make us near even on points in the championship. Gaz qualified 4th on this day and I know he is consistent. I would lead first and knew that he would be close on my tail. I could just hear his SR20 bouncing off the limiter over the scream of my 20b as we snaked down the 1st section then as we flew into the down hill switch the noise of Gaz's S14 dissapeared, I glimpsed back and seen he had spun so I had the advantage 10-0. Everyone now thought I would just take it easy and give Gaz some room as all I had to do was link the section without spinning. However the crowd come for a show and not always to see a winner so I chased Gaz as hard as I could mirroring his movements taking the risk that if I made a mistake it would be a re-run, it was such a close chase and so much fun. On the last corner I could reach out and touch his bootlid as we powered around the clipping zone. I advance with the win.

FINALS

With Carl Ruiterman knocking out Cole Armstrong for the spot in the finals then Cole going on to knock Gaz out for the podium spot it was my chance to shine and grab those points. I knew Carl was driving well since testing in the morning and he also qualified 2nd behind me. I would just take it as no pressure and focus on what I had been doing all day (having fun). I would lead first. I could see Carl hard on my tail as we initiated our drift into the section. I had a clean run and looked behind as I flew over the finish and seen I had pulled a few car lengths on him. I would now chase not giving him an inch even though I knew I could give him a gap and close it by the end of the section I choose to take the crowd pleaser option and battle hard with him right from the start. I had an awesome chase grabing a handful of hand brake on each switch to miss the rear end of his car swinging inches away then powering in up to his door. Judges would call it at prize giving.

After the victory burnouts we stood waiting for the results. I was truly elated when I was announced the winner of round3.

Next stop is back to Pukekohe Raceway where we will tackle the infamous 200+kmh 'widowmaker' sweeper. With full confidence now sitting behind the wheel in the RX8 I can’t wait for round 4.

HUGE thanks to all my fans and supporters, NZDRIFT for running a great championship, Taupo Motorsport Park, my Sponsors RedBull, Goodyear, Castrol, Redline Performance, HKS, DC, Weds, TengTools, Tein, Lokey, Fusion, PPRE, magwarehouse, Turbosmart, Classic Cover Insurance, Any Maz Spares, BOP polishers, Chromey, Damion, BIGTED and Cookie for your time, knowledge and support. Without you all it would not be possible.

MADMIKE