2009 D1NZ INAUGURAL AWARDS DINNER WRAP UP
09-Oct-2009
The 2009 D1NZ Awards Dinner fronted up to North Harbour Stadium on the evening of Saturday October 3rd to pay tribute to those who had worked hard and put fierce amounts of effort into season to reward the most outstanding in their nominated award category. Although not everyone got an award, the event was a great success for the professionalism and support of Drifting in New Zealand and was thoroughly enjoyed by those in attendance. First off, D1NZ would like to give huge thanks to our sponsors from the 2009 Championship season: Turtlewax F21 Castrol Edge Oil Flava 96.1 Dodson Motorsport Street Pro Kits Midas Car Care Demon Energy Drink A full report of award results can be found in the forums by clicking the following link: http://forums.d1nz.com/ The evening saw Justin Rood and Pete Marsden from Flava 96.1 take centre stage to host the evening and present the awards. With live visuals and footage of the 2009 season screening, it was a great spectacle and whilst dinner was being served, the boys mixed it up with some round footage followed by the Grand Final of the 2009 D1NZ Model Search. Congratulations to all the Model Search entrants and special congratulations to the following winners:
Winner: Vannessa Savage 1st Runner-Up: Jess Pendergrast 2nd Runner-Up: Jemma-Jane Davis A massive thanks to our Model Search sponsors for the evening: Wild Poppies - www.wildpoppies.co.nz Dermalogica - www.dermalogica.co.nz Skinfood - www.skinfood.co.nz Avocado Lingerie and Swimwear
I couldn't resist putting this shot in of NZ's godfarther of drifting and Pete Marsden aka Pete the palangi
For a full photo gallery please visit: http://www.devolve.co.nz/gallery2/main.php/v/d1dinner/
Marquis Condoms - www.marquiscondoms.co.nz
Pampurred - www.feelpampurred.com
Off Wax Bar - www.offwaxbar.co.nz
Amazon Tanz - www.amazontans.co.nz
For full model search photos please visit the following link:
http://www.devolve.co.nz/gallery2/main.php/v/d1dinner/
Following the first section of the Model Search Grand Final, the D1 Rookie awards were presented (a special shout-out to Darren Rangitihi from Drift Inc for taking out the Bounci Fun Sportsmanship Award for 2009). Of course, all of the D1 Rookies who acquired awards were well deserved and a grand effort to all of the winners. D1 Rookie is a fantastic gateway to professional Drifting in New Zealand and abroad; you don’t need to be the master of Drift or have the finest car - it’s about getting out there and giving it a go and D1NZ is very proud to have such a remarkable team of loyal D1 Rookies.
For those that didn’t make it through to D1NZ or didn’t pick up and award, don’t fret as there is plenty of dial-in time before the next season kicks off. 2009 D1 Rookie and D1NZ drivers in attendance Tony Whiter (father of the 2009 Drift King, Gaz Whiter) took out a distinguished award, one which was well deserved in the Drift scene for a long time coming – lengthy, cold nights in the workshop definitely paid off and was duly rewarded with the Dodson’sD1NZ 2009 Most Dedicated Driver Support – big props to the other nominees in this category. Overall, the D1NZ awards were a great dedication to all of the long hours of hard work and endless nights behind the scenes that get our Championship Drivers to the point where they are; it also showed and supported the sponsors that assist such great Drifters to this point. The Prestigious Awards were to show what D1NZ feels is vital to New Zealand Drifting and below are the results. Without these key assets, the fans, sponsors and the Drivers, D1NZ and Drifting wouldn’t be possible in New Zealand. A mammoth thanks to everyone that attended the evening and sponsored an award. Please continue to support D1NZ and its projects and we will aim do our best to grow Drifting in New Zealand whilst keeping it at a sustainable level. D1NZ 2009 Prestigious Awards D1NZ 2009 Drift King face of D1NZ D1NZ 2009 Best Photograph Nakita Phillip (Grand Final) Simon Anderson (Round 1)
Next up after the Rookies (and the open bar coming to an end after it was well cleaned out) dessert was served and the lingerie section of the Model Search was set in motion, hosted by crowd favourite Pete the Palangi - this would determine who would be secured as the female face of the 2010 season as Miss D1NZ. With dessert over and done with and the new female face of the 2010 season for D1NZ announcement, it was time for the D1NZ awards. The crowd by this time were a bit more enthusiastic in regards to award nominees (more than likely thanks to Lion Red and Speight’s) the awards for the Drivers showed that Drifters are not the verbal-communication type but the ones who were thanked was all that was required.
Castrol Edge Oil
D1NZ 2009 New Zealand’s Drift Ambassador
Description: The Driver bringing New Zealand’s Drifting and Drifters forefront to the world, representing our culture and how New Zealand brings it fourth on an international scale.
Nominees: Mad Mike, Gaz Whiter
Winner: Mad Mike Whiddet
Castrol Edge Oil
D1NZ 2009 Drift Ambassador
Description: The D1NZ Driver who has best represented D1NZ on and off the track, training upcoming Drifters, representing D1NZ at shows and representing the D1NZ way of life to its fullest
Nominees: Mad Mike, Andrew Redward, Jason Sellers, Gaz Whiter
Winner: Andrew Redward
Demon Graphics
Description: The D1NZ Driver who has contributed the most dedication and skill to become New Zealand’s National Champion and the 2010
Winner: Gaz Whiter
Pace Pools
D1 Rookie 2009 Driver of the Year
Description: The D1 Rookie Driver who has contributed the most dedication and skill to become New Zealand’s National D1 Rookie Champion
Winner: Marcus Davies- King
Turtlewax F21
D1NZ 2009 Spirit of New Zealand Drifting
Description: A passionate and genuine Driver who gives it their everything and goes hard, displaying efforts of dedication, camaraderie and an overall Driftaholic
Nominees: Mad Mike Whiddet, Gaz Whiter, Daynom Templeman, Jason Sellers, Brad Smith
Winner: Brad Smith
NZ Auto Salon Magazine
D1NZ 2009 Best Sponsor
Description: The dedication and company support to NZ Drifting on and off the track, taken Driver sponsorship, round sponsorship and season sponsorship, dedicating team members and prizes to NZ Drifting and continuing support to D1NZ
Winner: Orica NZ (trading as Turtle Wax F21)
Dodson’s
Description: The ultimate snapshot of NZ Drifting which captures speed, angle, smoke, crowd and Drivers in one
Nominees: Boyd Whittaker (Waikaraka Park)
Winner: Simon Anderson
Turtlewax F21
D1NZ 2009 Most Dedicated Volunteer
Nominees: Dan Teeboon, Phillip Coleman, Theresa Knight, Pauly Howe, Bronson Reardon & Nikki Gibson
Winner: Dan Teeboon