So after convincing a friend of mine to come along for the trip, the three of us planned to head down to Taupo just for the day. All was going fine except I lacked a working cellphone, and when it did start working at 4am Saturday morning before we left the whole day had changed. Cam forgot a few bits and he needed his ute brought down. After an awkward 5am trip to his place, we hopped in the ute, loaded up and headed down to Taupo.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSo this post is going to be half cars and half our trip – because this whole car hunting deal is more of a lifestyle than anything and I guess this is an insight into what we/I go through. This was the view at around 6am heading along the highway via Matamata.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs we were travelling along and starting to see more daylight, one thing became apparent. This guy liked to speed in his truck. Funnily enough it caught up with him via this police officer. This can serve as a little warning, I guess.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRene was behind the wheel and we were all still pretty damn tired.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA sigh of relief when we saw the trees start to come out. This is always how I know we’re near.  In the distance you can see the amazing fog that was covering Taupo.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWe arrived to see Rene’s rebuilt RX7 which will no doubt be a good competitor in this seasons D1NZ.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBut let’s face it, we were here for the drifting.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJoe was using his take-off mode as he launched.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJaron’s S14 was looking mighty clean and managed some awesome angle and smoke.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe odd thing about 4WD drive cars drifting is the lack of massive front wheel lock. Carl just looks like he’s skating on ice.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nShaneo Poulton was putting out some crazy smoke from his S15. Looking mighty fine with the rebuild.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCam’s R32 was looking ridiculous as expected.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOf course there was another form of race going on too. Since we were only here for the Saturday, the boys were only laying down their practising and top lap times.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLoving the livery on Andy Booth’s Woodstock Honey car.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nI think the McIntyre/Lester car was running a tad rich with flames being exposed quite often.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIt was a pretty damn nice day out too. Taupo usually has pretty nice weather and this day was no exception.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSupporters were all dressed up in their favourite colours to support their favourite teams.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n360kw @ 5psi. Whatchu’ know about custom RB’s?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWe decided to bugger off to get some lunch for a bit and checked out the sights. Not a bad view from the lake huh?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThese guys were trying a spot of golfing. We decided to give it a miss however..\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPhil Rudd from AC/DC decided to pop along and have a chat with the team!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBack to the drifting and the heat waves were out, ready to get some sideways action on.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJoe and Cam had a good play session..\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe whole crew got their lock on.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nShaneo was loving his car the whole day and it showed..\r\n\r\n…by the amount of smoke he liked making.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThis also showed up. Not a bad Ford.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBut hey, what’s a Lambo to your own helicopter as shown by AC/DC’s Phil Rudd.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs the day ended, the haze came over this little RS3 hot hatch. We then found ourselves driving back to Auckland with a stop at Wongs on the way.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMr Picket was there chilling, onto his 4th plate of food whilst debating how he’ll start his new Nissan March drift career.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIan was stoked to get to Wong’s.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRene and Ian got the famous chicken.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nI ordered a Wizz burger and we called it a day/night. Mad props to Ants and the crew at Wong’s Kitchen.\r\n\r\nSo this was more of a lifestyle post rather than just the cars, because we’re all about keeping things fresh.\r\n\r\n-Chris\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n