It's clear already, this is going to be the most competitive season of the Codys D1NZ National Drifting Championship ever. With 3 rounds now on the books, we've had 3 different winners, and 3 totally different podiums showing how far the level of driving and machinery has evolved in New Zealand.
Knowing full well that this season will be the toughest to try and win yet, Gaz Whiter and the Tectaloy Team had been hard at work prior to the round to ensure maximum reliability and total comfort with the car. Engaging noted Nissan tuning expert Glen Suckling of GDS Motorsport to retune the car, 441kw on Avgas utilising a still low 23psi was extracted and the problematic miss that had shown itself at Pukekohe remove. Also replaced was the Triple plate carbon clutch care of Xtreme Drift Clutch who airfreighted a unit in to Tony Whiter Automotive.
When the car rolled into Taupo, rumours circulated that the Tectaloy S14 was a new car, however it was just rumour with a new BN Sport rear bumper care of Driftmax being fitted and Gaz and Tony investing a significant amount of time into straightening what they could after the Pukekohe incident to pull the car straight. More comprehensive repairs will be undertaken over the longer Xmas/NY break in the season depending on the fishing and back yard cricket conditions.
Friday practice is always a case of feeling your way at the Taupo racetrack, and when a steering rack fault was found Tony Whiter got straight to work and replaced it having Gaz out for a strong day of practice, with the D1NZ drivers putting on a great show for the helicopter film crew that were present. Look out for that on D1NZ TV and Sky Sport. link- http://youtu.be/3UmRItEtr3I
Saturday would see Gaz as defending champ the last car to run in each qualifying round. The drivers are seeded and this is both a bonus as opponent scores can be communicated and accounted for, but can also prove problematic as Taupos ever changing conditions saw the early runs done in the dry, and then the rain appearing again intermittently . Gaz laid down a solid run first time out and sat in the #1 spot until Daynom Templeman and Andrew Redward laid down what can only be called amazing wet condition runs to grab spots #1 and #2, with Gaz in 3rd qualifying spot. grabbing a valuable 8 points back on the early series leaders who were all outside the top 6.
On to the Top 32 battle and as #3 Gaz would have a bye into the 16 where he faced Mark Burling, the fast improving Burling taking the fight to Whiter and forcing a one more time re-run before succumbing. This produced what was perhaps the battle of the day in the top 8 with team mate and good friend 'Fanga' Dan Woolhouse, the two mates are easily a class above when it comes to pure door to door driving in comfort and it was by the narrowest of margins Gaz would advance. Semi final opponent Jock Bennett did everything he could in his underpowered AE85 Toyata but simply couldn't stay with the power and grip Whiter had and it would be on to a final with Daynom Templeman.
'Slim' as hes known had been a man on a mission all weekend in the NAC insurance RX7, and after he'd qualified #1 it was going to be a tough ask to beat the man whom is without a doubt the most accomplished race car driver in the field. There isn't anything Templeman hasn't driven, and when Whiter laid down a stunning chase run only to get too close and have to get out of the gas losing proximity, the writing was on the wall for Templeman to grab his maiden D1NZ round 1. Massive congratulations go to Daynom and his crew, We are happy to see a team making the top step of the podium for the first time.
The team now go away from Taupo happy, sitting in 3rd place only 6 points off early series leader Cole Armstrong, with 'Mad' Mike Whiddett in 2nd spot. Mt Smart was a happy hunting ground last year and Gaz is confident that he has the talent and the machinery to defend a round title he won last year.
Gaz Whiter Drift as always wish to Thank our generous sponsors without whom we could not compete.
Tectaloy Performance Coolants, Toyo Tire, Puklowski Milling, NAC Insurance, Xtreme Drift Clutch, DVS Clothing, Hytech Engines, Vortex Racewear, Hornet Nutrition, Nitto Engineering, Hi-Octane Direct, BNT Automotive, Tein, Link Electronics, GDS Motorsports, and our management company www.mgninc.co.nz
