Welcome one and all to another Cody’s D1NZ Drifting Championship spectacular. Hosted down in the rad Tauranga region for the Bay to see, many of us were hyping this to be the event of the season.  With Baypark Speedway set as the chosen venue, the internal carpark was set up as a full blown drift track.  Some were stating that it indeed has some slight resemblance to Formula D’s Irwindale track.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHugo’s little Hachi was sitting fresh in the pits with a new set of bumpers and clean graphics. His 20b PP seems to be settling in ok now after a few issues at Whangarei put him out.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJoe Kukutai had just picked up a new helmet in the weekend and marked it as his own with a little lips sticker.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA couple of hooligans were sitting in the judges stand clearly minding their own business well.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe pro’s were then sent out to start practicing the track. Most seemed to get the feel for it quite early on as did Bruce Tannock. His Rocket Bunny S13 always looks clean cut.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRATTLA Motorsport seemed to also understand the layout fairly quickly with the big Falcon really taking a hold of the course.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCarl Ruiterman unveiled a new paint scheme for the season. Loving the blue over the red for a change!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCam was playing around with some tires this weekend to see what combinations he likes best. Although the Skyline seemed to hate the heat. He also brought out the old school orange bumper instead of the white.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNot long after the Pro’s were done playing around the Pro Am sector was sent out. Sam Smith laid down some rad runs with plenty of power pumping from his S15.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs was local chick drifter Jodie Verhulst in her giant Supra.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSadly a miscalculation landed Troy Jenkins into the wall – the first time I’ve ever seen this car damaged.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe wheels didn’t stand a chance at that speed going straight into the wall.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAnd landed him with a bit of a wonky step. Luckily with the help of his crew the car was back out on form in no time. Good work chaps.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJoe was out on form too, really taking to the track which resembles many of his practiced spots around NZ.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAnd back onto the pro’s. Nico was running the track well, giving it hell in his S15.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLocal drifter Cole Armstrong seemed to be on form in his big R34, allowing for lots of smoke throughout the tight course.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRedward’s been killing it lately, with the RX7 really showing off his skill in drifting. Awesome to see.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOnto the Pro am battles. Todd and Joe went on to battle with a crazy close battle between them, landing them a ‘one more time’ to help settle the scores. After another set of runs, Joe came out on top.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJoe then came up against Darren Kelly in a battle which I felt was possibly Joe’s best ever battle. Sadly with a shallow entry on his chase run, Joe was left behind with Darren moving through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJodie Verhulst came up against Adam Davies in his 13bT powered Sileighty, with Jodie going through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPukekohe drifter Sam Smith was put up against Matt Lauder in a rad battle with Sam coming out on top in his smokey S15.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWith the battles over for the day, the pro’s went back out again with Mike having a good crack at the track.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAnd this rather tough S13 was out on the prowl.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nVika was rolling around in her FW Shining tee..\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAnd this dude had his Stay Fresh shirt out! Cheers man!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEddie Hayman was just drinking alcohol however. Maybe he’ll bring his Cefiro out instead one day? :P\r\n\r\nPlenty more to come in Day 2 of Cody’s D1NZ national drifting championship, where I actually slept instead of pulling an all nighter. Congrats to me.\r\n\r\n-Chris