The 2012/2013 season for New Zealand Drifting Competition has begun. The first event on the calendar is Round one of Drift South being held at Ruapuna in Christchurch.\r\n\r\n\r\nHere we go again; a new season of drifting is upon us. This season consists of five Drift South rounds.\r\nSame as last year – four rounds being held at Ruapuna raceway in Christchurch and one at Levels Raceway in Timaru.\r\nThe S14 pictured belongs to Daniel Jenkins.  With the snow capped Alps in the background, this image really sums up my passions in life snow and drift cars.\r\n\r\n\r\nDue to having little information on the event’s results I thought I would talk about how I see the series.\r\nThe journey to Drift South for myself and Oliver Biggs (and his team) involves driving from Nelson 440+ km’s from my house to the racetrack (one way).\r\nHere is a quick shot I got out of the van sunroof just past Kaikoura.\r\n\r\n\r\nOn the way we managed to cross paths with a friend who was heading back to Nelson after getting a fresh tune from Rapid Performance in Timaru on his Evo converted Mirage.\r\nWe might have to do a little feature on this when it’s finished. It should be an aggressive wee hatch once Logan has finished with it.\r\n\r\n\r\nAnyway on to the drifting. It is always interesting to follow what the drivers get up to with their vehicles in the off season.\r\nJohnny Latham was fortunate to pick up a sponsor, Harmon Bros Racing. This will help see him compete in all Drift South rounds and also attend some D1NZ Rounds.\r\n\r\n\r\nSimon Grace also wearing new colours. Livery looking awesome for a DIY garage job.\r\n\r\n\r\nAnother driver that wasted no time over the off season was Blair Cochrane. Blair, last season was running the dark blue Rapid Performance C33 Laurel, but converted the running gear over to a S13 chassis.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe result a savage performing drift car.\r\n\r\n\r\nAlongside the Japanese Race Supplies Pro Series is the Mag and Turbo Street Legal Series.\r\nCallum Gooding’s Starlet going hard all day.\r\n\r\n\r\nIt’s such a tidy little KP61. very cool styling.\r\n\r\n\r\nI like the street legal side because it brings chassis’s you wouldn’t normally see in the pro series onto the track.\r\n\r\n\r\nThere is always one stand-out car for me at every event and for this round it was Jonny Martin’s R32.\r\nI’m not normally the biggest fan of 4DR R32’s but Jonny’s 32 has an awesome look about it.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFull street trim. Driven to the event, raced on the track then drove home.\r\n\r\n\r\nGuy Graham-Bagrie sporting a new body kit and sponsorship from his work Kendal Vehicle Services.\r\n\r\n\r\nGuy keeping true being the only rotary in the whole pro field.\r\n\r\n\r\nWith a new set of suspension Brad Uran looked like he was having no trouble with his improved ride height.\r\n\r\n\r\nThree of the top four finishing positions for this round were S13’s running a straight 6’s.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIt’s becoming an increasing trend amongst the southern drivers with Gary Lani Smith running a 1JZ in his Silvia\r\n\r\n\r\nThe engine bay has to be seen to be believed (sorry no pic).\r\n\r\n\r\nThis car has so many personal touches to it. There is definitely no other anywhere like it.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA new car to this season is Scott Stancliffe’s SR20DET A31 Cefiro Ute.\r\n\r\n\r\nScott was putting down some solid runs. But a few gearbox and intercooler pipe issues cut his day a bit short.\r\n\r\n\r\nThere were a few new rules introduced into this season one being the cars must run an official window banner.\r\nSome may hate on it but personally I think it gives the series a professional look.\r\n\r\n\r\nAndrew Gnad’s 180SX has an awesome stance\r\n\r\n\r\nAnd looks even better screaming past at full noise\r\n\r\n\r\nA driver that really stepped up to the plate this round was Joel Counter. Fighting hard all day saw him finish in third position.\r\n\r\n\r\nWith major work taking place on Troy “the family guy” Forsythe’s S13 he was fortunate enough to be able to borrow an 180sx.\r\nTaking out second place in an unfamiliar car is a solid effort.\r\n\r\n\r\nCody Collis was previously running a A31 Cefiro. Now in a completely new S13 he was untouchable. Taking out first place, Cody has some serious talent behind the wheel. I look forward to seeing him run against some of the North Island boys.\r\n\r\n\r\nChristchurch and Ruapuna put on a wicked day once again. Thanks to all that came out and watched, helped or drove!\r\n\r\n\r\nJohnny Latham will be competing in Round one of D1NZ this month and I am lucky enough to be hitching a ride up there with him.\r\n\r\n\r\nAnd finally a big shout has to go to Oliver Biggs. He has taken me to almost every round I have been to and my photos wouldn’t be possible without his help. Thanks bro!\r\n\r\nPoints standings after round one:\r\n\r\n1st Cody Collis 30\r\n2nd Troy Forsythe 26\r\n3rd Joel Counter 23\r\n4th Blair Cochrane 20\r\n5th Brad Uren 18\r\n6th Andrew Gnad 16\r\n7th Guy Kerr 14\r\n8th Dan Robinson 13\r\n9th Johnny Latham 12\r\n10th Ben O’Brien 11\r\n11th Simon Grace 10\r\n12th Lyndsay Lassen 9\r\n13th Andrew McClenagan 8\r\n14th Oliver Biggs 7\r\n15th James Hopman 6\r\n16th Jarrod Reid 5\r\n\r\nHere’s my video from the round also!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n-Andrew Burns