Driftcup round 2 was held at the Adrian Flux Arena in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. The venue has previously been used for the British Drift Championship so it’s a perfect location for the rising stars of UK drifting.
This tight, technical track would soon prove that driver skill would be needed to perform well here, not horsepower.
The track had a short run up into the first turn with a middle of the track line to give the chase driver space to close up.
A transition through clip 3 before rounding the long left hander and back across the middle of the track.
This transition was much faster before they ran around the outside of the track before cutting to the inside for the final clip.
This track had no less than four different places where the chase driver could really dive onto the lead driver’s door!
The track started off with very little grip as the dust form the speedway track had settled on it, after a few runs it soon cleared resulting in the grip levels increasing.
The drivers soon started to push their cars to the limit, a couple ran wide onto the speedway track, throwing a huge cloud of dust into the air.
The field of drivers at Rockingham looked strong but at the end of practice it looked like they had upped their game again.
The nerves built up for the drivers as they lined up for their two qualifying runs, they would run both consecutively at this round so it was essential to put in a good run.
The qualifying results were closer than ever, with the top 32 places scoring within about 20 points of each other.
The top qualifying spot was sealed by Mark Webb on his second run, scoring 83.7, followed by Mike Walton and Arron Stevens.
There would be some early upsets as the Top 32 got underway, Chris Rayner in his Porsche 944 would take out 5th place qualifier, Stuart Maclachlan.
Barry Stevens, who had qualified in 4th, would be knocked out by Richard Gladwin in the Ford Escort Cosworth.
There was a short break after the Top 32 to bring the Top 16 drivers down onto the track and introduce them to the crowd.
The atmosphere was building around the track with the sun setting and the crowd becoming more involved with cheering on their favourite drivers.
At this stage it was proving hard to predict the results and it became more unpredictable as the battles went on. In the Top 16 Michelle Westby beat Richard Gladwin, this was the furthest that Michelle had made it through the battles at any event.
Round 1 top qualifier, Chris Taylor, battled local lad, Josh Phillips. Josh led first with Chris keeping close proximity throughout the run.
They swapped over and it was looking like more of the same.
As they came through the final corner they made contact with both drivers spinning out, it was a tough judging call and after asking the drivers what happened it was Josh Phillips advancing into the Top 8.
Mike Walton had been driving well all day but it wouldn’t be enough to beat Zanna Young this time.
On the other side of the tree, Sean Chessum and Mark Webb were quickly advancing through the battles with both making it into the Top 4.
Joining them were Michelle Westby and Zanna Young, the first battle would be between these two. Both of their runs were good clean runs with Michelle Westby keeping closer proximity on her chase run putting her through to the final.
Sean Chessum and Mark Webb battled to find out who would be joining Michelle in the final, Mark would make a mistake on his lead run handing the advantage to Sean.
It would need a huge run on his chase run to win the battle, he was pinned to Sean’s door through the first few clips, as they transitioned he hit the back of the AE86 and took its bumper off along with damaging the exhaust.
It wasn’t enough to take the win and Sean advanced through to the final.
The battle for the third place on the podium between Zanna Young and Mark Webb took place next, Mark has proved many times this year that he is able to stay on the door of the lead car, this battle was no different. It would be enough for him to take that 3rd place on the podium.
The final battle of the day, darkness had well and truly set it with the floodlights providing some light. As they left the line Sean Chessum pulled a small lead over Michelle Westby, maintaining it for the duration of the run. Sean then maintained good proximity to Michelle on her lead run, giving him the win and the top step of the podium.
The drivers took their opportunity to celebrate on the podium in front of the huge crowd of friends, family and the fans.
The top four drivers will all get the opportunity to compete at round 2 of the British Drift Championship at Driftland on the 18th / 19th June. The next round of Driftcup takes place at Three Sisters Race Circuit, Wigan on July 2nd, come along and see the action for yourself!
