Get the low down on all NZ's top D1NZ Championship tracks
Below is a detailed description of the tracks used in 2009 - 2010 see's D1NZ return to Christchurch's Ruapuna raceway and Waikaraka Park dropped, it also see's the final round hosted at Hampton Downs
See 2009's tracks below and how a driver foresee's the points, this will give you an insight to how the track is judged and what to expect to see on a D1NZ Championship day
For more information on the tracks feel free to click through on the links to visit the individual tracks websites.
Manfeild Autocourse - Round 1 of The 2009 National Drifting Championship
Comprising of four corners, Manfeild is a slower yet more technical track than Pukekohe. Entering the judged section at Manfeild comes off the back of the hairpin, meaning drivers are pinned accelerating into the beginning of the section. With cones signalling the start of the judged section around the sweeping corner, drivers are asked to enter through the cones already sideways. Allowed to take the line of their choice through the sweeper, a second cone on the outside of the second left-hand corner signals where drivers are to try and place the rear of their car (ideally within a metre — a tough ask). With the cone at the rear setting the driver up to run an appropriate line through the second corner to hit the clipping point, another cone placed through the mid-section on the slight right-hand third corner signifies the clipping point drivers should aim for on their switch back.
With the first three corners done and dusted, the judged section finishes with a hairpin, forcing drivers to wash off a lot of speed to make it around the tight turn. A cone on the outside of the entrance to the hairpin signifies where the rear of the car should be (once again, tricky), to set up the slide to hit the final clipping point on the exit of the hairpin and judged section.
www.manfeildraceway.co.nz
Waikaraka Park - Auckland - Round 2 of the D1NZ National Drifting Championship
Auckland Central Waikaraka Park round provides spectators and drivers the closest action drifting course in NZ, taking a step back from the intensity of high Speed drifting drivers are tested to there ability to hold a line and battle to this line precisely while hitting marked clipping points.
Consisting of a large figure eight drivers enter the judged section's first sweeper at the top of third gear in excess speed of 120kph, judges look consistently that the driver can hold the line of the entire track with placing the car 15cm away from each clipping point at all times, The first sweeper is a long sweeping left hand, mid - late apex drivers must switch there speed and car to hit the second clipping point and follow this line through third and fourth clipping points in second gear, with he back bumper facing these clipping points, more judged points will be awarded on this track for bigger angle and huge smoke.
The fifth clipping point consists of the driver switching his car to a left handed exit out of the first circle while still maintaining the line and 15cm mark the last apex and clipping point is a switch into a right handed Clipping point in which drivers will be in second gear. Driver then allow one swap over lap and start acceleration from the last clipping point to get in full swing for the first sweeper again.
Heres a wee clip of a previous show at the venue
Pukekohe - Round 3 of the D1NZ National Drifting Championship 2009
South Auckland’s Pukekohe Park Raceway provides drivers with the fastest piece of competition tarmac in New Zealand. The judged section takes in four corners, beginning at the end of the front straight. Entering the judged section at Pukekohe requires a fast flick, with those pushing the limits of 180kph to 190kph or more reaping the benefits. Entering with a wide line becoming tight mid apex, drivers with big enough balls to flick it around those speeds will find their car able to maintain a smooth drift throughout the sweeper. Those entering down around 150kph to 160kph will struggle to hold a steady and fluid drift throughout the high-speed opening corner, upsetting the rest of their run.
After drivers have entered on a wide line and tightened in through the sweeper, the challenge is to scrub off a lot of speed and perform a fast switch into the esses, keeping the rear of the car over towards the inside of the track, and set the nose of the car towards the clipping point (apex) to their left. Another fast switch to the right and you’re back exiting the esses and getting the pointy end of the car to within a metre of the clipping point. Slide the car about through the double-apex corner into Castrol (exit to the back straight), grab a little bit of handbrake if you need to tighten your line to hit the final clip and then stand on the loud pedal and put on a show.
www.countiesracing.co.nz
Taupo Motorsport Park - Round 4 of the D1NZ National Drifting Championship 2009
Without doubt one of the drivers’ favourites on the calendar, the Taupo Motorsport Park track two circuit is a technical and challenging affair. Entering from the small chicane around the back of the straight and accelerating through third gear onto the drag strip straightaway, drivers should look to come around here already drifting. Three sets of cones down the straight then provide drivers with a line to feint around, before entering one of the trickier sets of corners in the country. Off the back of the straight, drivers enter an off-camber downhill ess bend section that heads into a final corner and onto the front straight.
With tyre stacks marking the entry and exit of the esses, drivers once again should aim to point their bumpers as close as possible to carry good speed through the slight downhill section. From here, a single cone will mark the final clipping point towards the exit of the corner — drivers should aim to be within a metre of it — before sliding their way back out of the judged section on the front straight.
www.tauporacetrack.co.nz
PORT NIKAU - STREET ROUND WHANGAREI -
Round 5 The Grand Final of the D1NZ National Drifting Championship
"THE GRAND FINAL"