ParcFerme.Com

Australian Drifting was represented on the world stage for the first time last weekend, with three drivers taking part in the invitation-only D1 Grand Prix All-Star World Championship event in America.

2007 Toyo Drift Australia Series Champion Robbie Bolger and the men who finished second and third in the championship - Christian Pickering and Fernando Wiehrl - made the long trek to Irwindale Speedway in California to accept their invitation and compete.

The trio secured licences to compete in the event on Friday after impressing judges on the high-speed layout which incorporated the banking of an oval, joining a 26 car field with drivers from 14 countries.

All three progressed through the first round in flying colours, making it through to the Top 16.

Pickering and Bolger defeated representatives from Mexico and Canada respectively, while Wiehrl executed a stunning overtaking move on his Japanese rival to win their battle.

The next round of battles gave the Australians a much larger task, as they went up against some of the biggest names in the sport.

Wiehrl progressed to meet Swedish ace Samuel Hübinette, a dual-champion of the American Formula D Series, Bolger drew newly-crowned Japanese D1 Grand Prix Champion Masato Kawabata and Pickering would face Ken Nomura, a Japanese Drifting legend.

While the three were eliminated, they showed plenty of fight - Pickering losing to Nomura by the narrowest possible margin, 11-9.
 

American driver Vaughn Gittin went on to win the event in a Ford Mustang, defeating Kawabata in the final.

Highlighting the rapid development of Australian Drifting, Wiehrl and Pickering also exceeded expectations by qualifying for the final round of the US D1 Grand Prix Series, in a session where 40 drivers vied for 19 spots.

While they were eliminated in the first round of battles, it added to an invaluable experience.

"Robbie, Christian and Fernando excelled all weekend, they've done Australian Drifting proud," Drift Australia director Wayne Boatwright said from America.

"To come to the other side of the world and do what they have done at this level in an unknown environment was incredible.

"They stepped up and all broke through the first round of battles to make the Top 16 - each of them did a fantastic job against some of the best drifters in the world.

"It shows that the level of competition in Australia is getting stronger all the time as the sport continues to grow, and the experience and knowledge from this event will only aid that."

For more information about the Toyo Drift Australia Series, head to www.driftaustralia.com.au