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"But
we just keep proving them wrong on the track, the V8s are showing their
worth and are here to stay - we're not a noisy minority any more."
For Bolger, winning the 2007 championship would be the culmination of a three year program.
He took the cover off a Holden Ute and his current 800hp Monaro in 2005, before making major progress in 2006.
After
taking his first win at Queensland Raceway, Bolger almost won the
title, eventually finishing third after losing to Beau Yates (Peer
Industries Toyota Sprinter) in the winner-takes-all final battle at
Oran Park.
Undeterred,
Bolger upped the ante in 2007, winning at Mallala and taking second
place at Queensland Raceway last month to put himself in the
championship lead with one round remaining.
"Last year we came so close to winning the title in the final battle with Beau," he said.
"We
worked hard during the off-season on the car, we're still working hard
to keep improving it, and the results have been paying off."
Win, lose or draw, Bolger will continue his V8 evolution in 2008.
Having
resisted the temptation to climb aboard his brand-new, state-of-the-art
Holden VE Commodore this year, Bolger will unleash the 940hp weapon
next year.
The Queensland resident is one of eight drivers who will enter the final round in championship contention.
With
500 points on offer, just 187 separates Bolger and eighth-placed Tom
Monkhouse (WheelWorx Nissan 180SX), a group of drivers which includes
two former series champions and seven drivers who have won a Toyo Drift
Australia Series round.
"It's
going to be close at Oran Park, with so many drivers in with a shot at
the title, but we're going there to win," Bolger, who leads Christian
Pickering (Commercial Truck Sales Nissan 180SX) by 50 points, predicted.
"Winning the championship is the main goal, and winning at Oran Park would be the best way to wrap it up.
"That's our aim for the weekend, to go there, dominate and walk away with the big trophy."
In
addition to the Toyo Drift Australia Series and Super Drift Series
season finales and team Drifting, the 22-23 September weekend at Oran
Park will be a high-octane extreme sports fest.
Two-wheel
Supermoto action will be part of Sunday's entertainment, along with
extreme trail bike demonstrations, freestyle minibikes, and the Auto
Salon Show 'n' Shine.
Tickets are $20 for Saturday and $30 for Sunday, or $40 for the weekend, with kids under 12 free all weekend.
For more information about the Toyo Drift Australia Series, head to www.driftaustralia.com.au
Toyo Drift Australia Series standings after round four
1. Robbie Bolger (QLD, VIP Petfoods Holden Monaro) 1620
2. Christian Pickering (SA, Commercial Truck Sales Nissan 180SX) 1570
3. Adam Trewhella (WA, Japanese Wholesale Spares Nissan Cefiro) 1559
4. Darren Appleton (QLD, Team Peer Nissan 180SX) 1547
5. Fernando Wiehrl (NSW, Auto Salon Nissan 200SX) 1499
6. Beau Yates (NSW, Team Peer Toyota AE86 Sprinter) 1473
7. Leighton Fine (SA, Team Peer Nissan Onevia) 1469
8. Tom Monkhouse (SA, WheelWorx Nissan 180SX) 1433
About Drifting
Originating in Japan, Drifting is a form of motorsport where drivers are judged on their speed, line and angle through each corner on a course.
Like
extreme sports such as freestyle motocross, surfing and skateboarding,
drivers are awarded points by judges, based on a number of factors.
Two
cars battle at a time, with the driver who scores the most points in a
battle - two passes of the course - advancing to the next phase.
Competition
starts with an elimination round of 32, then progresses through Top 16,
Top 8 and Top 4 rounds before two drivers battle to determine the event
winner.
Since it first arrived in Australia
just a handful of years ago, Drifting has become one of the fastest
growing forms of sport in the country, and now has a strong following
of spectator and commercial support.
The Toyo Drift Australia Series is the official Australian Drifting Championship.
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