So we’re back at Baypark after an outstanding day 1. The track really seemed to be a great setup, with a huge turnout of fans. The length of the circuit and the very ‘concrete jungle’ aspect made the track quite Americanized but also was very much a kiwi summer’s ideal track. For a carpark, they’ve certainly worked their magic.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLet’s just go straight into drifting – no mucking around. Mad Mike was on form – as expected.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCurt Whittaker seemed to be frothing at the wheels.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCole Armstrong’s R34 was on great form also, powering the V machine through the corners with plenty of smoke.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRedward was on form as well, with the giant wing of his landscaping his smoke.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHe was also on form in practice battles.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMike seemed to be rearing to take on the masses in his RX7..\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPulling some class act runs throughout qualifying and in earlier practice runs.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAfter winning the previous Whangarei round, Fanga Dan seemed to be on form at the also concrete jungle track.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAn awesome amount of spectators showed up with around 7000ish people, meaning D1NZ had to shut the gates and not allow any more people in. The first time this has happened for the series.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInto lunchtime Joe was out signing his little posters and smiling for the camera..\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nI headed back out onto the track and my homie Blake was ready to go with his new camera. Hit his page Maximum Style up with a like.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe midday spectacle of freestyle motocross also popped up to show us how it’s done with two wheels.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOnto the top 16 lineup.  All the boys lined up with the main contenders lining up side by side.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHugo made a good leaving skid, to the disgust of Brendon and the laughter of Warren.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInto top 32 we had a great battle between Cody Collis and Brad Lauder, with Brad going through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJason Sellers was paired up with Willy Foster, with Sellers going through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTop 16 had Cole Armstrong come up against young gun Nico Reid. Nico went through after Cole spun and buggered some crucial steering parts.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSadly Gaz had a major crash after this and it caused Sean Falconer to go through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNo good. This shows it as it happened from the inside..\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe car’s fuel tank was then punctured and started leaking everywhere.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGaz looked to be in a state of shock, only just coming to grips with what had just happened.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFrom the top 16, into the top 8 another disaster was waiting to happen.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMike also had a decent crash into the wall.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBut he came back out 5mins later and fought all he could – which sadly wasn’t enough. Nico Reid goes through to top 4.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA good battle between team mates saw Zak Pole and Fanga Dan Woolhouse compete together with Fanga pushing his Commodore through to the top 4.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBut within no time we were off to the Top 4 battles.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInto Top 4 battles – Fanga and Nico Reid. A near classic looking battle with Nico pushing his best, but coming off short. Nico goes through to 3/4th battle, with Fanga going through to 1/2nd battles.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHugo then came up against Andrew Redward for their top 4 battle. Andrew Redward went through and Hugo was then placed up against Nico Reid.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNico Reid vs Hugo Maclean. Possibly one of the best and most hilarious battles i’ve seen in a long while. Exiting the last corner on Hugo’s lead run, he put his hand out the window signalling to ‘come closer’. Quite a funny gesture, and surely one to look out for in the TV footage.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIn the first and second battle we saw a great battle between Andrew Redward and Fanga Dan. Fanga seemed to really be on his game well.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe BP Triple Crown rewards go off to Mike, Fanga and Curt..\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Pro Am’s saw Jodie Verhulst in second, Darren Kelly in first and Sam Smith in third.\r\n\r\nThe final outcome of the pro’s placed Fanga Dan in first, Andrew Redward in second and Hugo Maclean in third.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFanga sealed the deal with one heck of a skid, grazing the barrier along by the spectators. Well done sir.\r\n\r\nUntil next round!\r\n\r\n-Chris