DMNZ is a practice drift day ran by Drew Donovan, based around getting drivers out onto the track and learning how to drift. The track days take place at many different circuits in NZ and are an awesome time for drivers of all levels. 

I was still pretty shot after getting back from Taupo, but I headed out to Hampton Downs to see what the fuss was all about.

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Our sponsor Niko Reid was there thrashing it. His S13 has taken a beating over the years but still goes strong. Love the little Maori flags on the back.

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This S15 was out going strong. If I do recall this is car competed in D1NZ a few seasons back. I wonder if we’ll see it back next season? 

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In NZ the drift scene has a lot of Laurels and Cefiros. They’re a cheap rear wheel drive Nissan and are easy to find. Sometimes the two collide and we get a…Laufero?

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However as a whole, the Cefiro is a pretty stable platform for drifting. It’s no wonder we see so many of them in our scene.

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Laurels are huge in the Kiwi drift scene. I was told they were never sold in America, showing one of our biggest differences in scenes. 

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Into the first corner, cars come in with a lot of speed. This RX7 was coming in fast and getting some good angles. 

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Niko was out in his S13 showing his crazy drift style. He took me for a few laps and showed me how it’s done. His technique differs from other drivers and he surely knows how to drive, with huge entries and amazing tandems.

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Eddie was out in his Toyota powered Cefiro. If you look closely you’ll see that the camouflage is made up of woman. That’s cool.

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This R32 looked really staunch on the track, getting some great angles. I think I need a R32.

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As the day dried out, smoke started to show from the drivers tyres. This S15 Silvia was one of the first to make smoke. Lovely, lovely smoke.

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These two Nissan’s were getting closer to one another.

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Sadly I had to leave early and missed Niko being the first to drift Hampton in reverse circuit.

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Check out DMNZ here and head out to their meets some time! They’re great fun for all experience drivers.

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More photos on Facebook as usual.

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–Chris