Two of the 2016–’17 Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Championship titles will be decided on April 22-23 at South Auckland’s Pukekohe Park, after the drivers voted the event should shift to a Saturday/Sunday show.
The move comes just a month out from the final after Demon Energy D1NZ management gave the drivers the chance to vote on their preferred date.
An overwhelming majority of the drivers said they wanted a Saturday/Sunday show with Friday 21st to serve as a fully optional practice day.
Demon Energy D1NZ Category Manager Brendon White said the opportunity for three days of on track action will give the drifters the most track time possible at the tricky Pukekohe Park.
“The whole reason we originally went with a Friday/Saturday show was to make Pukekohe a night round,” White said.
“However, after a lot more thought and feedback from drivers on an already tough challenging track it was decided to opt out of a night feature and put it to a vote on a full weekend instead.”
“It was clear they wanted to make the most of the weekend. The Saturday/Sunday format also means the fans won’t miss a moment of drifting competition.”
The Demon Energy D1NZ Pro Series and Pro-Sport Series practice and qualifying will take place on Saturday, whilst Sunday will serve as a full competition day for the respective classes.
This year will be the third year running the series has competed at Pukekohe Park after a long hiatus from the venue following an abatement notice in 2011.
In years past smoke leaving the circuit proved to be an issue, but resource consent since then means Demon Energy D1NZ management can run without the pressure of being shut down.
However, their return to the venue hasn’t been without its issues with rain putting a dampener on the event in recent years.
In 2016 the final round at Pukekohe Park was nearly washed out. Saturday’s practice and qualifying was limited with the drifters forced to slide slowly through the drift section.
White said the weather is sometimes a curveball the drivers are faced with, but said they thrive on the challenge.
“We were stoked to return to Pukekohe Park for the second straight year in 2016, but it was a shame for most of it to be in treacherous conditions. Hopefully this year will be better!
“We know the drifters will take on New Zealand’s fastest drift section rain, hail or shine. Last year we saw some epic drifting and dedicated entries in the trying conditions.
“I’m certain we’ll see the drifters giving it their best again this year!”
Pukekohe Park’s round is always a highlight of the calendar when fans, drivers, and the D1NZ crew witness New Zealand’s top flight drifting competitors sideways at 200 kilometres per hour.
Touted as one of the fastest entries in the world of drifting; the circuit is considered by many to be the spiritual home of drifting in New Zealand. The likes of Andrew Redward and ‘Fanga’ Dan Woolhouse forged their drifting careers at the South Auckland circuit.
The Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Championship heads to South Auckland’s Pukekohe Park over April 22-23, visit D1NZ.com for more information.
Comments