The D1NZ awards…. MGN interprets and tries to predict
Kinda odd that the last topic I wrote was something around judging, and the very next subject is the D1NZ Awards.
Being held on the 7th of July, the D1NZ awards are a celebration of the D1NZ National Drifting Championship season, and a chance for drivers and crew to get together without the pressure of a competition meet.
This post is a bit just for fun, and also my way of trying to perhaps interpret things for the general public so that the can try and make educated votes. One of the major issues with anything involving peoples choice is ” blind faith” votes, where fans and family of drivers wage a campaign to get as many votes as possible, in spite of the person perhaps not being the best or most deserving candidate, and are then highly disappointed when they don’t win.
So here is my attempt at trying to work out what the awards are for, and who from my vantage point up in the tower I think might figure in the results.
From what I understand the fan vote is 20% of the overall, with 4 peer experts also getting a say in the outcome……but don’t take that as gospel, and lets face it….last awards I tried to predict I was wrong on almost everything.
Award Categories as supplied to me.
I would start by saying, I can see these awards being quite dominated by a handful of people, its just the way its going to be and that is simply the way it is when you do an awards after a seasons results have already been produced. You can’t really get to much deviation as otherwise it brings your season results into question. The night should be seen as what it is …. a celebration of the best D1NZ season to date and a sign of what is still to come :).
Best Style-
This seems to be one that causes a bit of confusion. I take this to be drifting ” style”, as opposed to car styling which is how you would interpret it for a show based awards. The reason I interpret it as that is that it is one of the aspects qualifying is judged on.
A style is something all drivers have, its simply a case of how distinguishable it is to the eye. For the best, it becomes a hallmark of their runs, a spark that fans look forward to and something that usually leads to a driver standing out and excelling in competition and with fans.
Likely contenders- Well lets be honest, In Pro this is what makes the top drivers stand out so it could be any of the top 10 but if I were to guess it will be out of -
Curt Whittaker- known for precision and smoke, Whittaker hits a precise line lap after lap. You know hes going to do it, its almost like Iceman on Topgun….make a mistake and hes got you.
Fanga Dan- Aggression, Fanga’s style is that he plays on the belief that he is prepared to drive through you.
Darren Benjamin- “loose” is the best way to put it, Benjamin has won a lot of fans this year for just driving the wheels off his big C35
Mad Mike Whiddett- Wall proximity, playing to the crowd, limiter hitting. Whiddett was the #1 qualifier of the year for a reason.
Pro- AM
2 horse race between Cam Vernon and Willy ‘Terrorist’ Foster in the little AE that could.
Best Presented Vehicle
Let’s face it, this is subjective as shit and its all just personal preference. If you were to try and split it then it would probably come down to effort in having the car in top shape for each and every event, or as close as a drift car can come to that.
I think on that basis Bruce Tannocks Achilles S13, Cole Armstrong in the V R34 and perhaps Sky Zhao even tho the colour scheme is not to the liking of many might be the top contenders. I took Curt Whittaker out of the running simply due to livery changes during the year. Hugo Mclean is also a possible contender.
Pro- Am will go to Shaneo Poulton over Ricky ‘Bobby’ Lee.
Best Presented Tow Vehicle
Well, to be honest I don’t care about this one and I’d probably take it out for the sake of time. Give it Auckland Ssangyong just for supporting drift 
Best Smoke Machine
Production of smoke is almost an element of style and also a function of tire choice. Its also dependent on HP and car setup. I’d perhaps almost if I were to review this throw both this and style out, as both should be evident by qualifying results.
Whiddett, Whittaker, Armstong, Whiter and Woolhouse come to mind as those who blanket the track on a regular basis, with Tannock perhaps not as consistent at it. Will probably come down to Whittakers 2JZ vs Armstrongs RB with both north of 620hp.
Pro- Am- There is a lack of real consistent contenders in this, Vernon and Poulton the only 2 probably who were semi-consistent in this area. This will also apply to angle for Pro-Am
Best Presented Engine Bay
Again, this seems a bit odd to me and not a good fit for the awards. Because I don’t care too much I’m just going to say give it to Mac Kwok because its different and there is a lot of shit crammed in there. All the drivers have invested heavily in cars and the ability to make pretty is simply just a case of personal tastes vs function.
Shaneo Poulton I imagine will comfortably win this in pro- am
Best Angle
Refer Smoke and style- There are certain cars and setups that allow more than others.Guess it then becomes how functional it is and how effectively its used.
Whiddett and Gaz Whiter carry the best angle on a consistent basis, while Andrew Redward can get very extreme which has been his downfall on a number of occasions. A couple of drivers have produced notable single runs, but I don’t imagine that should carry over to a season ending award.
Best Tandem Battle
Take your pic- eye of the beholder but I’d say Whiddett/Sellers at Taupo or Whittaker/ Armstrong at Pukekohe, with a dark horse being Woolhouse/ Whittaker at the Final.
Team Battle
Did we even have these???? Maybe it relates to drinking contests or dance offs?
Most Improved Driver
This caused a bit of debate, I would take this to mean a consistent ongoing level of improvement shown through out the season. Battle results or even season placing may not accurately reflect this. In some cases, mechanical issues may have also been a factor.
It’s an odd category, as the top drivers continue to improve also although it is in less steps and more the mental aspects of competing. I think Darren Benjamin would be my pick here, with perhaps Hugo Mclean, Bruce Tannock, Sky Zhao and Brad Lauder also to be considered. Robee Nelson could also be a dark horse.
Pro- Am- This is probably most relevant in this class, with some drivers starting the season really struggling and getting better and better finally making the podiums etc. Jacob Hakaria will be fresh in the mind as he achieved at the last round, while Ricky Lee got better and better all year, as did Joe Kyle. I think Vince Hopkins is also a name to consider. Many drivers didn’t appear at all rounds which may count against them.
Most Dedicated Driver
All of our drivers are dedicated, so this award is perhaps a bit unfair on many. If you tried to do it simply based on time investment, you’d be looking at the out of Ak drivers who did not only all rounds but also promotions for D1NZ. That will leave you with Fanga Dan, Gaz Whiter and Mac Kwok, although you could also factor in Mad Mike who travelled offshore and returned for events.
Comeback Driver
Another award that seems a bit out of place. To my knowledge only Jock Bennett and Will Cook would be eligible as drivers who have competed in past, stopped and then started again.
Sportsmanship Superstar
I actually think the drivers should pick this, not judges. Only they know what goes on in the pits, who is always willing to lend a hand etc.
D1Pro-Am Driver of the Year/ D1NZ Driver of the Year
Would seem odd if these don’t go to the respective champions.
Drift NZ Ambassador of the Year
Whittaker for winning TIDC or Whiddett for going offshore, no others really in contention….although…hows this for a darkhorse….Kenny from SBPnz for making videos that show case NZ drifting all around the world??
D1NZ Drift Ambassador of the Year
Hmmmmmm, Can we give the award to a non driver? To me the guy who goes around doing a lot for the sport, always wanting to help, giving up his time etc is Dan T-Boon
Mechanic of the Year
This is a real shit category, cause these guys are the real unsung heros. I vote a dozen reds for each and every crew chief. I won’t even answer this cause I simply think all these guys need huge thanks
Removed as I think its quite hard to interpret
Video of the year
Photo of the year
Manager/Owner of the year
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