Onto the big day – the one that counts. All the drivers seemed to be finding their way yesterday, with only a couple needing a little budge along. Shane Van Gisbergen was finding his way alright, with the big RATTLA powerhouse providing him some home ground to get used to.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nI was looking forward to seeing ‘Family Guy’ put on one heck of a show. After reading all of Andrew’s posts from the South Island it was damn cool seeing this car in person.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFanga’s car was looking tough as usual.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n4 Door Whore, Cole Armstrong was ready to lay down some dope runs.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs was Mike with the RX7 arriving late last night.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nProbably one of the coolest cars in D1NZ is Willy’s little AE with an SR20DET.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJoe seemed fairly ready for the track.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs did his car.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInto briefing we saw all the drivers and media ready for action.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAnd these are what all the boys are after. The Finman Software Solutions trophies for Round 1.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRood was laying down the law, fighting for the judges after the drifters were questioning whether Proximity or Speed was the main point of this round.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMr Warren Sare became very Sare-ious by this point.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA few family photos and we’re straight onto the Pro practice round.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJason Sellers was throwing his giant Laurel straight into the corner with massive speed and great angle.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs did that of Cole Armstrong.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCam was ready to put the Skinny R32 through some hell.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe three V8 homies were all out giving them hell in practice together.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThen they threw the Pro Am boys out to practice. Joe laid down some awesome runs.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs was Darren Kelly in his R32.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe pro’s were then put back out to practice.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCole and Mike put on a fun display for all.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJonny Latham laid down some good qualifying runs in his V8 Powered FD Rx7.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGary Tenana was back out after a season off in his Laurel. Loving those Work Meisters.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOnto battles, Cam came up against Sky Zhao in his first battle and sadly lost due to spinning out on his last run.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nKeisuke decided that he’d put on a little dance while we waited for a battle.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRobee Nelson put up a good fight with Cole but saw Cole go through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPossibly the best battle of the day was between Fanga and Shane Van Gisbergen. Such a close nit battle, and very well done by Gis’. This saw Fanga go through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCole came up against Gaz Whiter in his V8 S14 which saw Cole go through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNico came up against Mike in a great battle that saw Mike go through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nChris Trundle came up against Fanga with a bit of 3 wheel action happening. Fanga went through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRadial Achilles driver Andrew Redward came up against last seasons champ Curt Whittaker in an intense battle which many thought Andrew had, until a spin in his second run. Curt goes through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAnother great battle was that of Cole Armstrong and Mad Mike. This battle saw Mike go through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAnother top 8 battle saw newcomer Ben Belcher come up against Sky Zhao. In a surprise turn, Sky was knocked out by Ben, with Ben going through.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMike came up against Fanga for the podium slots, with Fanga going through into first and second battle and Mike for third and forth.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInto the top 4 battles we saw Ben come up against Mike in the battle for 3rd and forth, with Mike showing Ben how close he likes to get.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCurt Whittaker came up against Fanga Dan in the final battle.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSo here’s one for the sponsors – ‘Castrol Edge! Always on the edge.’ Sorry that was horrible.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs we waited for the drivers to make their way over the podium presentation the D1NZ security bunch were headed towards us. Gotta’ say, these guys are intimidating.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAnother intimidating sight is Fanga’s crazy Commodore. For all of you Americans that’s like a G8 or a GTO.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAgain with the intimidating is the stare of Curt Whittaker.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOnto more positive things. First place in Pro Am went to Matt Lauder, second to Russell Silfleet and third to local Pukekohe man Sam Smith.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInto Pro we have last seasons champ Curt Whittaker out on top, with Fanga in second and Mad Mike in third.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCurt also won $1000 from Finman Software Solutions, with Fanga looking more impressed.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThese two got pretty trigger happy with their bottles..\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAnd here’s Mike enjoying his tyres over a burnout.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFanga took the slow and steady approach.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs did Curt Whittaker.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBack at the pits this was happening. Not sure what the deal is here?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLast but not least, Mike’s trailer has Rotiforms.  Not bad, not bad at all.\r\n\r\nWe’re off to Whangarei in a few weeks time for Round 2. Come check it out!\r\n\r\nAdditional photos by Andrew Burns.\r\n\r\n-Chris\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n