2022SERIESDATESCOMINGSOON

The Tairāwhiti region made its mark on New Zealand motorsport history last weekend as D1NZ's National Drifting Championship rolled into H BlackBee Drift Park on Dunstan Road, Matawhero — and left with a crowd already calling for a return.   The weekend began on Friday morning with a mauri stone blessing ceremony at the venue, setting the tone for an event that was as much about community as competition. The ceremony reflected the deep connection between the event and its Tair

Twenty-one years of the D1NZ National Drifting Championship and new history gets made with its first landing on the East Coast 21–22 March 2026 when the championship arrives in Tairāwhiti Gisborne. Round 4 of the 2025/26 season runs at the H BlackBee Drift Park, Dunstan Road — a purpose-built drift circuit that exists entirely because of the determination of local men Boss 'BlackBee' and Wereta Kake and their connection with Aratu Forests. They didn't wait for the championshi

Words: Megan Foster. Photos: Ray Clarke Photography & _perfk There was a different feeling in the air at Pukekohe Park Raceway for D1NZ, and it wasn’t just the tyre smoke. This wasn’t another stop on the calendar, it was the last time any form of motorsport would ever run on this historic piece of asphalt. For decades, Pukekohe has been part of the heartbeat of New Zealand motorsport, and this event marked the closing chapter. D1NZ didn’t just put on a show, it helped send th

Drift GP is proud to announce that American drifting superstar Chelsea DeNofa will be joining the international lineup for Drift GP on 15 February 2026 at Pukekohe Park Raceway. Widely regarded as one of the most aggressive and technically gifted drivers in the world, DeNofa is a Formula Drift Champion and long-standing factory Ford driver. Known for his fearless driving style and ability to push the limits of car control, DeNofa has built a global reputation as both a fierce

Drift GP has locked in the next international heavy hitter. American driver, Connor O’Sullivan, will be the next overseas competitor set to take on New Zealand’s best at Drift GP, Pukekohe Park Raceway on 15 February 2026. Hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee, Connor embraced motorsport from a young age. He has always had an aggressive wide-open never lift style which served him well. His first exposure to Drifting was attending Formula Drift Atlanta in 2021, he immediately refo

The weekend of 13–15 February  will bookend a 63-year history  of one of New Zealand’s most celebrated motorsport venues, as Pukekohe Park Raceway  hosts its final motorsport meeting. The farewell weekend delivers three standout pillars: Round Three of the D1NZ National Drifting Championship , the inaugural international Drift GP , and a special Sunday programme that closes the curtain on racing at the iconic circuit. Taking to the circuit one last time, the schedule features

American drifting star Ryan Litteral has been confirmed as the latest international driver to join the Drift GP lineup at Pukekohe Park Raceway, set to take place over the weekend of 13-15 February 2026. Litteral is widely regarded as one of the most technically refined and consistent drivers to emerge from the United States drifting scene. A long-time competitor in the Formula Drift Pro Championship, he has built his reputation on smooth, high-speed driving, razor-close prox

International drifting standout, Amanda Sorensen, has been officially announced as the next international driver to join the Drift GP lineup at Pukekohe Park Raceway NZ, set to take place on 15 February 2026. ‘Amanda Sorensen is a versatile 22-year-old racecar driver and social media influencer currently campaigning the Air Force BMW in Formula Drift, while making select appearances in Extreme E, Nitrocross, sportscar racing, and more. She also debuted in Extreme E for GMC wi

Australia’s most electric young drift talent, Saxon Moyes (Gold Coast, QLD), is officially coming across the ditch to throw down at Drift GP — the international showcase headlining the final celebration of motorsport at Pukekohe Park. If you’ve watched Australian drifting over the last couple of years and thought ‘who’s the guy sending it harder than everyone else?’ — it’s Moyes. He’s stacked a savage run of wins and podiums, including taking the top step at the Garrett Inter

Southland hosted two days of back-to-back drift action as drivers pushed limits, sparked new storylines, and set the tone for the championship ahead. Words: Megan Foster Photos: Scott Wehipeihana, Whippy Photography. The first two rounds of the D1NZ 2026 Championship went off in the Deep South of Invercargill. Fifty-five of New Zealand’s top drifters made the trip down for the double-header, with the Friday being a full day of practice before qualifying. Saturday consisted of

Pukekohe Park Raceway’s final motorsport event, taking place 13–15 February 2026, will honour more than six decades of racing heritage with a special Sunday celebration featuring iconic machinery, legendary drivers, and the return of the cars and classes that shaped the venue’s unmatched legacy.   Among the headline elements is Drift GP, showcasing drift kings, OG pioneers, and international stars – representing Pukekohe’s modern era alongside the historic cars that made the

Southland is gearing up to host its largest top-level drift event ever , as 56 teams  descend on Invercargill for the opening round of the 2025–26 D1NZ National Drifting Championship  at Teretonga Park Raceway.   From 21–23 November , the world’s southernmost FIA-recognised race circuit will roar into life with a record 24 Pro category drivers  and a huge 32-car Pro-Sport field  — the first time both national categories have travelled to the Deep South together. For Southland

We interviewed our reigning 2025 D1NZ Drift King, Luke Fink, on all things drift-life before he makes the trip over from Australia to compete for his title. Tell us a little bit about yourself, and your achievements over the years besides being our reigning D1NZ Drift King. I have a problem that when I get into things I get into them fully, so I was fortunate enough to take BMX to the highest level, eventually becoming BMX World Freestyle Champion in 2003. Other than that, dr

New Zealand’s premier drifting series is set to light up the Deep South as the  D1NZ National Drifting Championship Series  returns to Invercargill this November — bringing together the best from both sides of the Tasman for a weekend of historic firsts.   Led by Australian driver and reigning  New Zealand Drift King Luke Fink , the  21–23 November 2025  event marks the first time D1NZ has staged both the  Pro  and  Pro-Sport categories  at the world’s southernmost FIA-recogn

We sit down with Trent Elmbranch and learn about his new, one-of-a-kind build. Tell us a little bit about yourself, and your achievements over the years. I’m Trent Elmbranch, owner operator of Lbranch Fabrication in Whangarei. I have been building cars for myself and friends since I was 16, and in 2021 I started Lbranch Fabrication to do what I love full-time. I have been drifting for around 3 years now, doing DriftForce days, Driftwars, and one round of D1NZ at Mercury Baypa

D1NZ is proud to announce that Director and Pro driver, James McManaway, has been confirmed to compete at the legendary Hot Pit Auto Fest Grand Finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend – an event hosted by U.S. drifting star, Jeff Jones. Directly following that, McManaway will join the international lineup at SEMA Show 2025 in Las Vegas from 4-7 November – the world’s biggest automotive, performance and motorsport showcase. He will be behind the wheel as part of the Lo

D1NZ welcomes back TengTools to the 2026 National Drifting Championship. TengTools have kindly offered up some epic prizes this season,...

START YOUR JOURNEY TO COMPETITIVE DRIFTING The D1NZ Pro-Sport Scholarship 2026 is here! And it's your chance to shine! ​ D1NZ is offering...

New Zealand’s premier drifting series will roar into the East Coast for the first time in its history, with the D1NZ National Drifting...

Competitive drifting will return to its spiritual home one last time as D1NZ announces that Pukekohe Park will host Round 3 of the...