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It also was the perfect start to Fine's new partnership with the Commercial Truck

Leighton Fine

Fine was in outstanding form all weekend, and took out the final against Victorian Luke Fink (Holford Motors Nissan Silvia).

"What an awesome start to the year," Fine said.

"I've been counting down the days until the start of the season and the chance to get out there and show what we're capable of.

"The Team CTS guys have done an awesome job; we couldn't have had a better weekend."

For Fink, second is his best result in the series since winning on debut at

Luke fink

"I don't know what it is, but we've had two rounds and two great results here at Symmons Plains," the former World BMX champion said.

"We had a few little things go against us last year; hopefully this is a good omen for the rest of the season."

In a dream start for his brand-new team, Senwill Civil Racing, Christian Pickering took third as he looks to go one better than his second-place finish in the 2007 championship.

"Our new car didn't miss a beat all weekend and this is a great result to start the year," Pickering said.

"I'm really happy with the package we've put together, and confident we'll be right up there at the end of the year."

Pickering defeated Chris DeJager (Turtle Was ICE Nissan Silvia) in the third place battle, with fourth DeJager's best-ever result in the series.

In the Top 16 round of battles Pickering eliminated defending champion Robbie Bolger (VIP Petfoods Holden Monaro) and DeJager accounted for top-qualifier Beau Yates (Toyota Racing Developments Toyota Sprinter).

Winner of the final two events in 2007, Fernando Wiehrl (Auto Salon Nissan Silvia) couldn't make it three victories in a row, bowing out early to Danny Vahoumis (Miluc Civil Nissan Silvia).

Vahoumis was joined in the Top Eight by his new team-mate Adam Trewhella (Miluc Civil Nissan Cefiro), Paul Austin (WheelWorx Nissan Silvia) and Tom Monkhouse (Japanese Motorsport Nissan Silvia).

Tasmanian driver Ben Purtell (GT Garage Nissan 180SX) took out the Toyo Tires Super Drift feeder class, ahead of fellow local Luke Jacobs (Nissan Skyline).

Telecasts of the Symmons Plains event will commence on Sunday 23 March on SBS' Speedweek program from 1:30pm, followed by a Nine Network package the following Saturday, check local guides for details.

Round two of the 2008 Toyo Tires Drift Australia Series will be held at Queensland Raceway on 12-13 April.

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

Toyo Tires Drift Australia Series Symmons Plains top eight

1. Leighton Fine (SA, Toyo Tires Nissan 180SX)

2. Luke Fink (VIC, Holford Motors Nissan Silvia)

3. Christian Pickering (SA, Senwill Civil Nissan Silvia)

4. Chris DeJager (VIC, Turtle Wax ICE Nissan Silvia)

5. Adam Trewhella (WA, Miluc Civil Nissan Cefiro)

6. Tom Monkhouse (SA, Japanese Motorsport Nissan Silvia)

7. Paul Austin (SA, WheelWorx Nissan Silvia)

8. Danny Vahoumis (SA, Miluc Civil Nissan Silvia)