ew Zealand’s Repco D1NZ drift series kicks off this weekend 15-16 December at the Taupo International Motorsport Park for the first of five rounds to determine the 2024 champion.
This season is set to be one of the most hotly contested championships to date, with last year's back-to-back champion Fanga Dan Woolhouse coming in hot after winning Mad Mikes Summer Bash two weeks ago.
The premier drifting championship is known for showcasing high-octane, skilful, and adrenaline-pumping motorsport action. The series attracts a passionate fan base and features a diverse range of car models including the Gen 3 Supercar spec Mustang of now four-time champion Fanga Dan.
Across the Pro and ProSport categories a total of 46 cars will compete at Taupo, to set a score that will determine who’s on form for being the new season champion.
For the Australian fans there is plenty on offer with the 2022 Hi Tech Drifting Champion (also 2023 runner-up) Brodie Maher set to compete at the first round. The second Australian driver is a returnee, having previously won a round of D1NZ in a borrowed car from local lads Team DSR, at Manfeild in 2021.
Another favourite is Luke Fink, returning with the JDM Earthmoving team who will be looking for that opportunity to oust Woolhouse and be the first Aussie to claim the
NZ Drift KIng title.
'I'm looking forward most to being back with the amazing JDM racing crew,” said Fink. “We just have such a good time there and the racing almost comes second to our crew - it's all about the tour.
“Competition will no doubt be fierce and we are making all the moves to make sure the main car is ready to rip. Some hard mana has been put into the crowd favourite backup car "the barnfind" r32 sedan waiting for its chance if any of our main cars decide to play hard to get!” added Fink.
Taupo local lad Taylor James is also expected to look sharp, coming off his recent trip over the ditch where he competed at two major events, (World Time Attack at Sydney Motorsport Park & Adam LZ's World Tour at Calder Park in Melbourne).
James has been hunting for that top rung the past few seasons, narrowly missing out in 2023. He says that 'having his own car overseas and competing with people that he never thought he would drive with was just massive' for his driving. Taupo Motorsport Park is where he started drifting and that it can be 'anyone's game on the day’ at this track.
James now has 3x NZ Champion Darren Kelly in the background helping him with technical setup and spotting for him during his runs.
The first event commences this Friday the 15th of December, with both the Pro Competition as well as a full field of Pro-Sport drivers. Fans can join us from 10am on Friday at the Taupo International Motorsport Park, tickets are available from D1NZ.com if you cannot make it to the venue we are offering a FREE livestream via our social network, which will also be played out directly over the Repco New Zealand Facebook page, Friday is Qualifying and Saturday will be the Pro Sport Competition. For the Pro Competition the broadcast is from 2pm Saturday on Sky Sport 5 or Fox Sports & Kayo for Australian viewers.
The series then breaks for the holiday season before the journey to the South Island and the newly established STP Kohatu Drift Park, located 30mins south of host city Nelson.
