D1NZ Locks in 2027 Calendar, as Gisborne Returns and BOP Drift Park Joins the Series
The D1NZ National Drifting Championship has confirmed its 2027 calendar, featuring a return to Gisborne and a first ever round at the new BOP Drift Park. Driver entries are rolling in, with a mix of returning favourites and exciting new talent set to hit the track.
The season opens in Tairāwhiti with a double header at Gisborne Drift Park from 15-17 January. Pro drivers will contest two full rounds across the weekend, and Pro Sport will run a single round. It gives the championship a big start and brings top-level drifting back to the region for a summer weekend.
"Having D1NZ open the National championship here in Tairāwhiti is a real coup for the region," said Joe Williams, Regional Destination Manager at Trust Tairāwhiti. "It brings visitors, energy and national attention to Gisborne at the height of summer, and it gives our local communities a world-class event right on their doorstep. We're proud to welcome the championship back."
Round 3 returns to Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on 20–21 February – a Saturday to Sunday evening event. Round 4 heads to BOP Drift Park in the Western Bay of Plenty over Easter weekend, 26–28 March. It will be one of the first major events at the new purpose-built facility. It will also be New Zealand's first drifting competition on a banked track.
The season finishes at Mercury Baypark Stadium in Mount Maunganui on 23 - 24 April. The Grand Finale runs over Anzac weekend, where the 2027 champions will be crowned. The Pro champion will represent New Zealand at HOTPIT Autofest in Las Vegas late 2027 where 2026 Champion Dave Steedman and team DSR are about to head in the coming weeks to represent NZ. Lockdown Performance is also backing a base cash prize, putting $10,000 NZD into the Pro prize pool, and D1NZ with their tyre partners matching it, which takes the pool to $20,000.
2027 D1NZ Calendar
Rounds 1+2: Gisborne Drift Park, Tairāwhiti, 15-17 January 2027 (Pro double-header, Pro-Sport single round)
Round 3: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland (Saturday to Sunday evening event), 20-21 February 2027
Round 4: BOP Drift Park, Western Bay of Plenty (Easter weekend), 26-28 March 2027
Round 5: Grand Finale: Mercury Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui (ANZAC weekend), 23-24 April 2027.
Myles Steps Up
Among the new faces in the Pro class is Blake Myles, who steps up to the top tier for 2027.
“We have been working so hard to make it to the next level in drifting, so getting the chance to run with NZ’s top drifters in Pro is honestly a dream come true. Will be sick to test out the new BOP Drift Park round and I’m pretty excited to head back to Mt Smart this year.” – Blake Myles.
Backing the Next Generation of Drifting Venues
2027 is also a step forward for the sport's infrastructure. D1NZ is working with BOP Drift Park as development of the facility continues. The venue is planned as a permanent home for drifting and a hub for youth and advanced driver training. Five or more courses will be built over three stages in the coming years.
"With resource consent granted and the funding and approvals now coming together, we're moving into one of the biggest phases of the project: completing Stage 1," said Aaron Habib, President of BOP Drift Park.
"The founding members and I have been working hard behind the scenes to get the park to this point. We've had a huge amount of support, advice and time from people who believe in what we're creating for drifting and the wider community."
D1NZ Director Brendon White said the partnership is part of a longer-term push to make the championship sustainable.
"Since 2003 we've built, run and hired more venues than any motorsport series in NZ," White said. "Now we're partnering with people who are building permanent homes for drifting to reinvest into the sport. The BOP Drift Park team is building something that will outlast any single season. We're proud to bring the championship there, and to put our own time and resources into growing the park.
"Add the return of Gisborne and a summer of events across Tairāwhiti, and you can see where drifting in this country is heading. With the grids already more than half full, the buzz is there."
The series acknowledges the South Island isn't on the 2027 rotation due to date clashes. New Zealand is stacked with many international and national events this coming summer and given the current economic climate a return is scheduled for the 2027-2028 season. This leaves the championship in a stronger position by minimising date clashes.
Ticketing for the first three rounds go on sale 1st November.
Remaining driver entries can be secured via emailing info@d1nz.com
