NZ Drift Round 4 - Taupo

Hey Team,

Wow what an awesome weekend for r4 of the NZDRIFT series. This was going to be my second and also the last drive we got in the car before MADBUL heads to the USA. We have made a few major changes in our set up since r3 at Christchurch to make sure it will be a competitive package in California.

Myself and Toni rolled the big rig 'Optimus Prime' down to Taupo on Saturday we left just before lunch to insure we would get maximum exposure as we rolled through the towns on our journey south.

We had two 10minute practice sessions on Sunday morning so we were trying a lot of different setting with the TEIN EDFC. I found the car was much different to drive now as it had a lot more traction.

Feeling very confident in the car we headed out for the single pass qualifying. Here we are given 3 laps and your points from your best run count. We qualified 1st and all 3 judges said any one of my 3 runs was going to be top qualifier! I was Stoked.

Top 16 we battled through to the Finals were I was matched up against current NZ Drift champ Gaz Whiter ( who qualified 2nd )... He showed a very strong chase behind me and the points were 50/50. Now with my chase run I was not going to give him an inch between us but as we flew into the chicane before the judged section he clipped a cone throwing it in my path, I had to swerve which gave him a four car gap straight away! I had to run my line and angle shallow to catch him. My chase was good on the last section after I had caught him and I did protest to have a rerun because of the cone issue but as the judges couldn't see that part of the track they said no disadvantage.

I was still happy with our results as it was only the second time driving the car and I can now load up our container with super confidence heading to the World Drift Champs.

Link to my victory burnout http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj2NKt8Fer8

I would like to thank you for all the support for round 4.
MADMIKE