The Final Fight- Codys D1NZ goes down to the wire

When the 2011/12 Cody’s D1NZ season started 6 months ago back at Manfield, no one could possibly have predicted the season New Zealand drifting would enjoy. Solid crowds each round, monster social media coverage and a move to a different round scoring system have produced a title race with interest like never seen before, at least in the time I can remember.

Before we talk numbers and potential results, lets look back a little on the season .

The first three rounds produced 3 completely different podiums , with round 1 being noted for V Energy driver Cole Armstrong stunning all by debuting a new car and qualifying #1, before Redbulls Mad Mike Whiddett showed his season intentions grabbing a win over Andrew Redward in the Nankang S14.

(Devolution Image) – Round sponsor- Shred Motorsport

Round 2 would see Pro-Am graduate Darren Benjamin for Matts Computer services grab the #1 qualifying spot with now Team Dilusi driver Curt Whittaker beating good friend Cole Armstrong in one of the best finals ever seen.

Round Sponsor – Driftmax .

This round was also well known for Gaz Whiters wall incident that saw a D1NZ staff member injured and served as a warning to all media about the dangers faced.

Round 3 would see Daynom Templeman in the NAC RX7 do the double in wet and cold conditions and grab max points for qualifying first and winning a tough battle with 3 x DK Gaz Whiter to take the round win .

Round sponsor – Alcotane

The drivers and D1NZ in conjunction with NAC insurance and the NZ police then got together to take part in a fundraiser for young drift fan Daniel Baxter and his family, with a never before seen motorway convoy of race cars to the CBD and back.

Round 4 saw a break through for Pro-Am graduate Brad Lauder with his first trip to the steps, grabbing second to that man Whittaker again. Round notable perhaps as the “could have been’ event for many with Mad Mike who had qualified 1, Gaz Whiter and Fanga Dan all spinning or losing battles for no other reason than basic error.

Round Sponsor- Custom Ride Body works

Then we returned to the Far North of New Zealand and the spiritual home of New Zealand drifting for round 5 to see long time sport stalwarts Gaz Whiter and Fanga Dan Woolhouse push current series leader Mad Mike Whiddett all the way before the screaming Redbull Quad Rotor would triumph.

Round sponsor- NAC Insurance.

So far 10 different drivers have stood on the podium this season, so its safe to say that the talent and caliber of skill of drivers in New Zealand continues to rise, and when you add in Jason Sellers and Niko Reid who both only just missed out… winning an event is the toughest it has ever been with man and machine continuing to raise the bar. Add in the fact that almost all sponsors are re-signed for the next season and drifting under D1NZ is currently in a healthy place.

So lets take a look at the final round then. Hampton Downs is an interesting place, with elevation changes and a section that suits the fully committed and those with large amounts of forward traction. I’ve lost count of how many battles have been lost by drivers getting slowed only to have an opponent accelerate away from them up and over the hill. The judges will be watching for this, as it has become topical among drivers. Section starts by the C on car park at the bottom and continues up and over the hill to end by the word spectator banking. Entry speeds vary but will peak at 175kmh.

It’s pretty simple really for the top 6….Qualify first and win the event and hope your rivals get knocked out. Realistically, there are 4 drivers that could still stand on the top step, but they do need some luck, or bad luck for other drivers to go there way.

The table looks like this currently, this shows points, points to first, points to next position on the table

mike whiddett	419	27
curt whittaker	392	12	27
gaz whiter	380	6	39
Dan Woolhouse	374	7	45
cole armstrong	367	7	52
darren benjamin	360	48.5	59
daynom templeman	311.5	0.5	107.5
andrew redward	311	13.5	108
brad lauder	297.5	21	121.5
Sky Zhao	276.5	14.5
steve sole	262	13
Nico Reid	249	23.5
Robie Nelson	225.5	4
bruce tannock	221.5	16.5
mac kwok	205	14
Mark Burling 111	191	6.5
jason sellers	184.5	5.25
Hugo Maclean	179.25	48.5
Matt Jackson	130.75	11.75
Jock Bennett	119	9.5

This is how points are awarded

Winner	100
2nd	88
3rd	78
4th	69
5th- 8th	61
9-16th	54

1st qual	12
2nd	10
3rd	8
4th	6
5-6th	4
7-8th	3

So if we look at some quick possible scenarios – this is assuming no breakages, spins etc.

Mike Whiddett will seal the title as long as he stays within 1 place of Curt Whittaker, and if he qualifies well it will make it very hard for anyone to get near him.

Curt Whittaker needs to win and finish ahead of Gaz Whiter & Fanga Dan

Gaz Whiter needs to Win, and qualify ahead of Curt Whittaker. Only a first or 2nd place will do it, a 3rd/ 4th battle would likely hand the title to Whittaker by a slim margin.

Fanga Dan Woolhouse, Cole Armstrong and potentially Darren Benjamin need some luck, and a 1/1 to have any chance at the title and to grab a place on the Podium.

This is drifting tho, and we have seen some odd things happen this year. High strung cars can break, a tire can de-lam or a bonnet can fly up. Factor in 6-8 other guys who I haven’t named and nothing can be assumed.

So….time to place your bets Ladies and Gents….who’s it going to be??

For $15 bux on a holiday weekend, thrown in a hard park, heli and gymkhana comps, trade stands and Miss D1….I know where I will be!!

Here’s a little taste from the last round.