NZ DRIFT ROUND 2 – WHITER GOES BACK-TO-BACK
Dargaville’s Gaz Whiter continued his strong start to the 2009 NZ Drift Series in association with NAC Insurance season when he charged to the top of the field at round two of the NZ Drift Series at Pukekohe Park Raceway.
Facing changing track conditions throughout the day, Gaz shone where many struggled, cutting his way through the field to emerge ahead of the field of New Zealand’s top drifters to take his second win of the season, and his sixth win in eight events behind the wheel of his new Toyo Tires Nissan Silvia S14.
Fighting Gaz for the top podium spot was Nankang Performance Tyres Nissan Silvia S14 driver, Andrew Redward, who was also challenging for his first round win in his drifting career. Unfortunately, the challenging wet and dry track conditions caught Andrew out, relegating him to the second spot on the podium.
Filling the third spot on the podium was Red Bull driver, Mad Mike Whiddett, who switched from his quad-rotor-powered Mazda RX-7 to his new turbocharged 20B-powered Mazda RX-8. Unfortunately for Mike, a spin cost him a chance at the top spot.
Making up the final spot in the top four was Whangarei’s Fanga Dan Woolhouse in his Dunlop Direzza Nissan Silvia S15. Despite qualifying first, Fanga was denied a spot in the finals after narrowly losing out to eventual round winner Gaz Whiter.
The next stop on the NZ Drift Series calendar shifts drivers to Taupo Motorsport Park for round three on Sunday, August 30.