DriftWars 2009 Series Round 1 – Magnificent Start to 2009 Season
After a big expectation, the DriftWars curtain for 2009 opened and what happened in the Series circuit on 28-29 of March was unique…
We may have repeat ourselves in the past, but DriftWars, like the one in Series circuit it can’t be done anywhere in Greece. This time, the spectators beside the renewed drivers and cars had the pleasure to enjoy the SXS stunt team Coco and Loco that filled the gaps between the races with impressive stunts.
When the drifting began, Konstantaras Takis (AE86 trueno) was the absolute master of the weekend. Since it’s the first time that the driver with the top score in the single runs, wins the DriftWars race! Konstantaras did that after winning the final in sudden death vs. Kapotis Kostas (E30 M5). In which he impressed with his stability through the weekend. Third was Todor Dunev from Bulgaria with his Silvia S13 after winning the small final vs. Margaritis Katsanidis (Alfa Romero 75 V6) 2nd in rankings for 2008.
Nikos Kouroupis (AE86 Levin) arrived renewed running a brand new SR20det engine swap. Showing that his AE86 can run out some exemplary runs; smoking out his rear tires. Actually, he managed in the first battle of the best 16 to exclude Sarafis George, the champion of 2008 DriftWars and master of Series circuit.
Tountas (MKII cosworth turbo) and Leontis (sierra V6) came renewed and collided for the phase of 16; the win was for Leontis in this “family” battle of Ford machines. Impression was made by Koltoukis Labros (RX7 II cosworth turbo) with the improved hybrid RX7 who entered the best of 16 phase but excluded from the Katsanidis Margaritis (Alfa 75 V6).
Magnificent performance by Konstantinos Glynos (E30 2.5lt) despite his lower horse powered BMW. Konstantinos looked into the eyes of his opponents and gave us a wonderful battle with Pazis Socrates (E21 2.5lt) that improves his driving technique at every race and shows very fit. Ploumistos with his wild S13 had some minor problems and could not go further than the stage of 16 where he raced the very ambitious Kourpouanidis with the M3 E36, who after DriftWars North championship left us once again stunned.
Liakopoulos, Harkas, Sidiropoulos and Vavloukis showed us that they have much more to say and will show us their improving skills in the upcoming races.
The always constant value Perifanos (E36 M3) came to run for the good and the support of the race. Very nice runs came out of the street legal category by Tsihlakidis and Aslamidis with his beautiful S14ins and also Kakarantzas (E36 M3).
The misfortune of the weekend was for Kavvadias (kaddet turbo) and Tsivopoulos (Ascona turbo) while on Saturday training did excellent runs were unable to complete their efforts, because of clutch and head gasket problems.
An awesome show from all the drivers in a magical event that kept everyone at the track, even after the end of the final race.