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| South Australian Drivers Shoot for the Podium at Mallala |
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| Tuesday, 17 April 2007 | |
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South Australian drivers will be out to increase an imposing hometown winning streak in the Toyo Drift Australia this weekend, when the series hits Mallala Motorsport Park. Since the start of the 2006 season, all but one event has been won by a resident of that state - Tasmania's round last year, without a Tasmanian-based driver, the sole exception. 11 South Australian drivers among a 32-car field are keen to extend that record in the top level Australian Drift Championship at the Adelaide circuit, while a further 19 will contest the Super Drift feeder class. The last two times the series has visited Mallala, Leighton Fine has been victorious aboard a Toyota AE86 Sprinter. The 21 year-old led most of the 2006 championship, with engine problems at the final round leaving him to compete in an unfamiliar car. He eventually finished second, and this year moves from a privately-entered single car setup, to drive a Nissan Onevia alongside 2005 series Champion Darren Appleton and 2006 series Champion Beau Yates at the three-car Team Peer. "It's great to be driving with Team Peer, it's such a weight off my shoulders," he enthused. "It means I don't have to stress and organise to get to the next event - I can just concentrate on my driving." Fine is aiming for a hat-trick of Toyo Drift Australia Series wins at Mallala as part of his quest for title success. While it is his home circuit, Fine hasn't been on-track at Mallala for almost twelve months. "If you drive on a circuit enough you learn the little tricks and intricacies that are involved," he said. "Over the years, I've done way too many laps around Mallala - I could drive it with my eyes shut in the Sprinter - but I haven't done any driving there since the DA event last year. "In that time I've been doing some judging of local events, which has given me a new perspective and insight, but I'll be glad to be back out there driving this weekend." Fine finished eighth in round one of the series at Barbagallo Raceway in February, with Christian Pickering (Commercial Truck Sales Nissan 200SX) the top SA driver. In his second drive with the CTS team, Pickering took second place - his best result in the series - following on from victory in the opening round of state G1 Drifting at Mallala. "Joining up with the Commercial Truck Sales team has worked out really well," he said. "They prepare a great car, and are really professional - it has made the transition very smooth, which shows in the results we've had. "The second place finish at Barbagallo was really satisfying, and I'm looking to carry form from that, and our win at Mallala earlier in the year, into this weekend. "We'll be going out there, giving it everything, to get another strong result." While the field will also include drivers such as Danny Vahoumis (Japanese Motorsport Nissan Silvia S13.6), James Mardle (Doyle Crash Repairs Nissan Silvia) who have visited the Drift Australia podium, a group of young-guns are making their mark. Among the new breed are the Wheelworx entries of 2006 Super Drift Champion Linden Reynolds (Nissan Skyline), Tom Monkhouse (Nissan 180SX) and Adam May (Nissan Silvia). Reynolds stepped up to Drift Australia competition at Barbagallo, finishing ninth "I felt comfortable out there and I'm happy with ninth place first up," Reynolds said. "The car setup wasn't 100% as we just ran out of time to make some changes and that's where the biggest difference is between Super Drift and Drift Australia. "I've had this car since mid-2005 when I was doing a couple of events and mid-way through the year I decided to commit to doing Super Drift in 2006. "The aim was doing a good job and 'getting noticed' - I certainly can't complain about how it went for me." Completing the quota of South Australian's in Toyo Drift Australia Series competition this weekend at Mallala are James Rosser (Type X Motorsport Nissan 180SX), George Spartalis (DLS Car Audio Nissan Skyline), Paul Austin (nissansilvia.com Nissan Silvia) and winner of the 2006 Mallala Super Drift round, Simon Michelmore (Sliding Performance Nissan Skyline). Complementing the Toyo Drift Australia Series and Super Drift competition, the weekend will feature team Drifting, expression sessions, and off-track entertainment including the Auto Salon Show 'n' Shine, fun rides and DJs. A late addition to the weekend is the history-making Natrad Lamborghini Gallardo driven by rising star Bryce Washington in the Australian GT Championship, which will serve as the 'chase car' during battles, collecting footage for the event's TV broadcast. At last weekend's Bathurst International Motor Festival, Washington took a pair of wins aboard the half-a-million-dollars, 550hp vehicle, believed to be the first win by a GT3-spec Gallardo in the world. Tickets are available for $15 on Saturday and $25 on Sunday, with a $35 weekend pass available, while kids under 14 are free. For more information about the Toyo Drift Australia Series, head to www.driftaustralia.com.au Toyo Drift Australia Series standings after Round 1 1. Adam Trewhella 499 2. Christian Pickering 465 3. Chris Easton 429 4. Darren Appleton 383 5. Nathan Weissel 372 6. Beau Yates 370 7. Fernando Wiehrl 368 8. Leighton Fine 366 |
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