FRESHLY WHIPPED AT THE NAC INSURANCE NZ DRIFT NATIONALS 02-10-2011

By Chris on October 9th, 2011

It was that time of the year again for the NAC Insurance NZ Drift Nationals held out at Hampton Downs. With the event set up to showcase many different drivers and a series of rounds, drifters were out to showcase their talent to a large crowd before D1NZ starts. Along with the drifting was a series of Super lap races.

\r\n

With this livery now banned in NZ, the R32 still sports the classic Winfield cigarette style livery from its heyday. Some often say that when this car was racing in it’s prime, motorsport was also in its prime – back when Holdens and Fords weren’t the only ones racing in the Australian Supercar race series.

\r\n

Back at the centre car park, the CJC boys had their little Honda parked up with it’s rising sun boot panel.

\r\n

Back on the track, the Aden’s Tyres Altezza was out. We’ve never covered this car before and it’s great to see it up at Hampton putting on a show!

\r\n

Daynom Templeman was killing it in his RX7. The car’s had a lot of work done to it over the winter break, and with the D1NZ season coming up he’ll be looking to hit the podiums often.

\r\n

What’s not to love about this car? Seriously.

\r\n

Steven Soles JZX90/100 looked great in its full on livery with smoke pouring off it.

\r\n

After being in a Disney movie as children, who would’ve guessed the Sellers’ brothers would end up drifting? Jason’s seen here with his C33 Laurel finally back on track after a few problems with the Toyota engine towards the end of the last D1NZ season. I wonder if the Toyota engine’s just scared of being stuck inside a big Nissan? Hmm..

\r\n

Nico was out in his white S13 with a fresh livery. Sadly later on in the day his power steering died and left Nico to use his guns in order to keep up with the pack.

\r\n

As usual, the big V8 was out from Fanga. This car’s nearing its retirement with the announcement of Fanga’s new AE86. Whether we’ll be seeing this car around much more is not known yet, but we sure love the sound of that big V8 killing tyres.

\r\n

Friend of the ‘Whip Sky Zhao was giving his S15 a good run for the crowd.

\r\n

The big talk of the day was Mad Mike and his redone RX7. With hopes of reverse entries, the car was gaining some crazy angle coming into the opening corner. As you can see here, the car is locked up tight from the start of the entry until he finishes the corner.

\r\n

I’m still struggling to figure out how Bradley Lauder stole my favourite colour scheme, but the S14 is looking amazing rocking it. The bright blue mixed with the yellow wheels looks awesome.

\r\n

Between runs the 4 and Rotor Hiace popped out to check on the marshals and swap them round. I love the wheels/tyre combination. Looks brutal.

\r\n

The local ginger was out in his S14 FL, putting on some really clean precise runs. As you can see mounted to the top of the car is a Canon 20D(?) camera capturing shots from a remote trigger. I really want to see the results of this rig..

\r\n

With Dave Steedman leading and our boy Nico chasing, the huge swarm of media watched on. By this point Nico’s power steering was truly buggered.

\r\n

Being at the right place at the right time is something that helps with shooting an event like this. As you can see here MadMike and Fanga were out for their final trophy run where Fanga got a little too close to the little RX7.

\r\n

But who won?

\r\n

With Mike’s crazy entries and ear piercing rotary, he took away the day. It’s great to see Mike back out going well in the NZ series. I can’t wait to see him compete in D1NZ.

\r\n

Our boy Nico pulled a forth and probably pulled his arm muscles after losing his power steering! Pulling off a fourth in his S13 without power steering, you just know he’ll be a threat in his S15.

\r\n

After receiving their awards, Mike and Fanga headed out to do some victory skids. This heads back to Mike’s roots as a competitor at the Manukau skid festivals back in the early 2000’s. What’s not to love about a Rotary and a V8 destroying some tyres?

\r\n