It seemed like only a week ago we were posting up the first round of the Castrol Edge D1NZ drifting championship. With Round 2 set for Pukekohe, many of the drivers were bracing themselves for the fastest drift corner in the world. 200kph+ entry means that the drivers must get a huge run up over Ford mountain and into the sweeper. With many casualties at the corner before, many drivers were just hoping not to ruin their cars, with some willing to put it all on the line for top points.\r\nOn the first day we saw the Pro Am competition. The pro am competition allows for new drivers to get out and make their way up to the professional league.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAlthough not in the professional league, many of the Pro Am guys are still running top notch cars. Troy’s S15 Silvia is powered by an SR20DET with all the makings of a hellaflush turned drift car. I don’t normally take any bias, but this car must be one of the best looking cars in the whole of D1NZ.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs the Pro Am guys warmed up their cars and did their final checks, the Time Attack-er’s took their cars around the track for a few practice runs. This Subaru Impreza STI was looking mighty fierce coming around the sweeper. Each driver is aiming for the best lap time possible, keeping in mind a V8 Supercar hits around the 58/59 second mark.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBack at the pits, media buddy Dom had stolen one of the little ATV bikes. As Pukekohe is one of the bigger tracks in NZ, the use of another means of transport besides walking is pretty popular. Anyone want to donate a little ATV to us?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs the Pro Am guys came out, many were not sure how to take the sweeper. Some such as Joe managed to get the hang of the sweeper early on.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTodd brought his little Corolla Wagon out, which seems to be loved by the media and the public. The wagon’s got a SR20DET under the hood and Todd’s own Keto Steering System. Check him out here.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWith the corner being very long, too much angle at the entry can cause a multitude of problems. Chris Mcpherson managed to hold this slide out, enough to save the car.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIn between Pro Am runs the Pro’s managed to get some practice time out on track. Jason Sellers was out with his Toyota powered Laurel, hitting some great runs coming out of the sweeper with plenty of smoke pouring off his tyres.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNico Reid unveiled his new S15 drifter, but seemed to have been  already used to the touch of the car as he took it through Castrol corner. Although he was wearing a helmet you could see that he was pretty happy after each run, with the car being a big step up from his old S13.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBack to the Pro Am’s we saw Shaneo Poulton with his S15. The car which he purchased off Gary Tenana was damaged after hitting the sweeper at Round 5 of the D1NZ 2010/2011 series. As you can see he has put a lot of work into this car to make it into a reborn beast.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOur boy Cam ‘Sheep Shagga’ Vernon was out in his RB29DET R32 pushing it through his home turf. With 1st place in sight, Cam was out to win the day and take home the grand prize.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInbetween the Pro Am qualifying and battles the Pros took back out to practice their cars once more. Andrew Redward took his trusty S14 Silvia out. As you can see above, the cars are put under a lot of stress coming out of the sweeper, with the car nearly pulling a wheelie into Castrol.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWilliam Foster was then put up against Shaneo Poulton, but sadly William missed third gear and landed himself in the tyres. Shaneo moves on to the finals.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHeading back into the battles, we were left with out final battle between Shaneo Poulton and Cam Vernon. With both of the drivers coming into the sweeper hot with huge smoke and great angle, this was a well evened match.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBut who landed the first place? Find out in Part 2 of Castrol Edge D1NZ National Drift Championship from Round 2 at Pukekohe.\r\n\r\n-Chris