D1NZ Round 1 shakedown - Manfeild
10-Apr-2009
D1NZ NATIONAL DRIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP 2009
PRESS RELEASE
D1NZ NATIONAL DRIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP 2009
ROUND 1 – MANFIELD BREAKDOWN
Manfield Autocourse in Feilding was once again to play host to Round One of the 2009 D1NZ National
Drifting Championship. Now in its seventh season, the D1NZ crew put on an epic day where New Zealand’s
top drifters set out to entertain the keen supporters of the NZ drift scene.
Round 1 shakedown for Manfeild
Day one started off with the Rookie drivers getting a feel for the track - half of which had never even
experienced Manfield before! They picked it up fairly quickly considering how technical the track can be
whilst the top level D1 drivers offering all the help they could to see the Rookies blast it!
The unforgiving heat led to a few mechanical failures, some of which could be repaired but in the end a
solid line-up of cars circled the track with some impressive drifting on display. The full field of cars and top
drifting skills definitely made it a spectacular opener for the season.
Roll on day two and we awoke to find another beautiful day in the Manawatu. Once we reached the track
it was apparent that it was going to be an awesome day of drifting with all of the drivers already prepped
and ready to go. With drivers briefing out of the way, they were straight out onto the track for some fast
tyre shredding!
Lunchtime brought on the pit walk and the fans were super keen! From mid-morning the spectators had
been queuing at the pit entry just itching to get a close up of the drivers and their machines. Mad Mike
had a fantastic set-up with posters readily available for signing, not to mention his gears on display as did a
number of the other D1 drivers also! The look and professionalism of this thrilling motorsport is
continuously on the rise with every event - watch out Formula 1!
After lunch it was time for the main event - the D1 Battles. The Top 16 drivers lined themselves up on the
grid in their paired battles ready to fight it out. You have to love the atmosphere at these events - the
drivers are all one big family but as soon as the flag drops it’s down to business and 110% effort is put in
every time.
The D1NZ crew blasted the battles out, running them two at a time so the crowd was constantly entertained
adding to the value of the day. In the end it came down to an intense battle between top drivers
Gaz Whiter and Mike Whiddet which was closely fought out. 2008 Drift King Gaz Whiter took it out in the
end by a mere one point advantage to claim the first top spot of the year.
Finishing off the day were the “Hot Laps” where spectators have their chance to ride with the drifters for a
few laps to experience the madness that is drifting. All proceeds from this are passed onto the drivers and
apart from ensuring a thrilling and fun ride, they love to scare the pants off a few passionate fans!
Rounding up, it was an excellent start to the season and we will be working hard to bring you more exciting
action throughout 2009 - onwards and upwards!
A huge thanks to our series sponsors for supporting NZ Drifting from start to finish:
Turtle Wax F21 (car care products) - www.turtlewax.co.nz
Castrol Edge Oil (available at all good Service outlets) - www.castrol.com
Demon Energy Drink - www.demonenergy.co.nz
Dodson’s Autospares - www.dodsons.co.nz
StreetProKits (aero-styling specialists) – ph. 0275 873 499 / www.streetprokits.com
The NZ Truth - www.nztruth.co.nz - suppliers of 24,000 official programs Nationwide
Checkout D1NZ drifting photos on your mobile by texting D1NZ to 818.
You can also download the Teaser to your phone by following the same process.
Be sure to view all the photos online from our supporting photographers and websites.
Stay tuned for awesome full length Round One exposure due to be aired on Prime TV in March to coincide
with Round Two.
RESULTS FOR ROUND 1 OF THE D1NZ NATIONAL DRIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP
D1NZ Rookie Results for Round 1 2009
1st – Micah Hoebers C33
2nd – Phill Otene S14
3rd – Sunil Patel R33
4th – Richard Gray S13
5th – Kurt Holland A31
6th – Matt Heslin S14
7th – Marcus Davey King S14
8th – Ryan Johnson S13
9th – Bradley Lauder S14
10th – Marnie Hoeber Red S14
11th – Sam Legae Green A31
12th – Darren Rangatihi A31
13th – Nate Steel S14
14th – Vaughan Wenham S14
15th – Mike Squire C33 - V8
16th – Sky Zhao R33
D1NZ Championship results for Round 1 Manfeild 2009
1st – Gaz Whiter S14.5
2nd – Mad Mike Whidditt FD3S
3rd – “Slim” Daynom Templeman FD3S
4th – Andrew Redward S14
5th – Jason Sellers C33
6th – Fanga Dan Woolhouse S15
7th – Mac Kwok S13
8th – Steve Sole R32.4
9th – Sam Groombridge R32
10th – Nathan Stalker S13
11th – Jono Bennett AE86 - S2000
12th – Brad Smith S13
13th – Matt “Chucky” Jackson C33
14th – Carl Ruiterman S14
15th – Shane Rutland S14
16th – Glen McFarlane C33
PRESS RELEASE
D1NZ NATIONAL DRIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP 2009
ROUND 1 – MANFIELD BREAKDOWN
Manfield Autocourse in Feilding was once again to play host to Round One of the 2009 D1NZ National
Drifting Championship. Now in its seventh season, the D1NZ crew put on an epic day where New Zealand’s
top drifters set out to entertain the keen supporters of the NZ drift scene.
Round 1 shakedown for Manfeild
Day one started off with the Rookie drivers getting a feel for the track - half of which had never even
experienced Manfield before! They picked it up fairly quickly considering how technical the track can be
whilst the top level D1 drivers offering all the help they could to see the Rookies blast it!
The unforgiving heat led to a few mechanical failures, some of which could be repaired but in the end a
solid line-up of cars circled the track with some impressive drifting on display. The full field of cars and top
drifting skills definitely made it a spectacular opener for the season.
Roll on day two and we awoke to find another beautiful day in the Manawatu. Once we reached the track
it was apparent that it was going to be an awesome day of drifting with all of the drivers already prepped
and ready to go. With drivers briefing out of the way, they were straight out onto the track for some fast
tyre shredding!
Lunchtime brought on the pit walk and the fans were super keen! From mid-morning the spectators had
been queuing at the pit entry just itching to get a close up of the drivers and their machines. Mad Mike
had a fantastic set-up with posters readily available for signing, not to mention his gears on display as did a
number of the other D1 drivers also! The look and professionalism of this thrilling motorsport is
continuously on the rise with every event - watch out Formula 1!
After lunch it was time for the main event - the D1 Battles. The Top 16 drivers lined themselves up on the
grid in their paired battles ready to fight it out. You have to love the atmosphere at these events - the
drivers are all one big family but as soon as the flag drops it’s down to business and 110% effort is put in
every time.
The D1NZ crew blasted the battles out, running them two at a time so the crowd was constantly entertained
adding to the value of the day. In the end it came down to an intense battle between top drivers
Gaz Whiter and Mike Whiddet which was closely fought out. 2008 Drift King Gaz Whiter took it out in the
end by a mere one point advantage to claim the first top spot of the year.
Finishing off the day were the “Hot Laps” where spectators have their chance to ride with the drifters for a
few laps to experience the madness that is drifting. All proceeds from this are passed onto the drivers and
apart from ensuring a thrilling and fun ride, they love to scare the pants off a few passionate fans!
Rounding up, it was an excellent start to the season and we will be working hard to bring you more exciting
action throughout 2009 - onwards and upwards!
A huge thanks to our series sponsors for supporting NZ Drifting from start to finish:
Turtle Wax F21 (car care products) - www.turtlewax.co.nz
Castrol Edge Oil (available at all good Service outlets) - www.castrol.com
Demon Energy Drink - www.demonenergy.co.nz
Dodson’s Autospares - www.dodsons.co.nz
StreetProKits (aero-styling specialists) – ph. 0275 873 499 / www.streetprokits.com
The NZ Truth - www.nztruth.co.nz - suppliers of 24,000 official programs Nationwide
Checkout D1NZ drifting photos on your mobile by texting D1NZ to 818.
You can also download the Teaser to your phone by following the same process.
Be sure to view all the photos online from our supporting photographers and websites.
Stay tuned for awesome full length Round One exposure due to be aired on Prime TV in March to coincide
with Round Two.
RESULTS FOR ROUND 1 OF THE D1NZ NATIONAL DRIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP
D1NZ Rookie Results for Round 1 2009
1st – Micah Hoebers C33
2nd – Phill Otene S14
3rd – Sunil Patel R33
4th – Richard Gray S13
5th – Kurt Holland A31
6th – Matt Heslin S14
7th – Marcus Davey King S14
8th – Ryan Johnson S13
9th – Bradley Lauder S14
10th – Marnie Hoeber Red S14
11th – Sam Legae Green A31
12th – Darren Rangatihi A31
13th – Nate Steel S14
14th – Vaughan Wenham S14
15th – Mike Squire C33 - V8
16th – Sky Zhao R33
D1NZ Championship results for Round 1 Manfeild 2009
1st – Gaz Whiter S14.5
2nd – Mad Mike Whidditt FD3S
3rd – “Slim” Daynom Templeman FD3S
4th – Andrew Redward S14
5th – Jason Sellers C33
6th – Fanga Dan Woolhouse S15
7th – Mac Kwok S13
8th – Steve Sole R32.4
9th – Sam Groombridge R32
10th – Nathan Stalker S13
11th – Jono Bennett AE86 - S2000
12th – Brad Smith S13
13th – Matt “Chucky” Jackson C33
14th – Carl Ruiterman S14
15th – Shane Rutland S14
16th – Glen McFarlane C33