We had had a busy week making sure the Driftworks S14 drift car was fully prepped for this round. With the eight point lead we had in the championship, the stakes were still very high, so we wanted to ensure the car was reliable and we retained our 1st place.
We had recently tested the very impressive new Federal 595RS tyres, so knew that we would be competitive, but we had also tweaked a few of the alignment settings to get even better drift performance from them, so the car was slightly unfamiliar when I got out into the first practice session in the rain.
There had been a classic car day at Silverstone the day before, so aside from the lovely weather, there was plenty of oil on track. This combined with the alignment guys adjusting one of our tension rods well out of range resulting in it popping out, meant my first run of the day resulted in an uncharacteristic trip into the gravel. So back in the pits to fix and re-align the car by eye, and then we went out for the 2nd practice session. This went much better, and I progressively learnt the new handling characteristics run by run.
Qualifying:
As always with the Japanese spec Drift competitions, you have one practice run, then three judged runs. On my practice run I pushed a little to hard at Luffield and spun, taking out my side skirt. But my three judged runs went perfectly, resulting in me qualifying in first place.
Top 16:
I drew Ian Harrision in the S13 who lead first, but unfortunately span in front of me on the exit of Brooklands. We swapped positions, and I pulled a healthy lead in the second run, taking me through to the top eight.
Driftworks number two drift driver Ben Broke Smith had also had a bad morning, and had to make suspension and steering adjustments between practices, but was now feeling happier with the performance of the car. He drew Paul Vlasblom in the –1000kg M3powered BMW, the weight difference between the two cars was just too much as Paul pulled away from Ben mid corner with seemingly amazing amounts of lateral grip. I think we need to take an angle grinder to Ben’s car to shed a bit of weight.
Stephen Evans, and James Grimsey: James has really come on form with the orange 180sx since starting the season, and Steve is now much happier behind the wheel of the Autoglym R32 Skyline after his recent second place at Knockhill round three, so the battle was nice and close, but Steve was chosen to go through to the top eight.
Newly licensed driver Mark Johnsson driving the Western Performance S13 Silvia, made a very good first impression on us all. Firstly with his ability to pick up the skills, and learn the track. But then after drawing Tim Marshall in the SumoPower 550bhp 350z, pressuring him into a mistake that sent the pink car into the gravel, and going through to the top eight.
Simon Russell had qualified for the top 16 which means that he is now a full D1GB license holder. He went up against Mulvey, and although beaten did some fantastic driving and seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself.
Newcomer Tony Green, now behind the wheel of the Toyota Soarer driven by Tiff Needel at previous rounds was on fire. Showing that the car is a serious weapon, with alot of potential. He drew Mark Luney in the R32GTR, so between them, we were looking at around 1000bhp on track. Tony was making incredible smoke, but span at Luffield, keeping his boot in, and very narrowly avoiding a hard shunt..
Mark Polody was up against Niall Gunn in the lovely 180sx. Mark went through to the top eight
Top eight
It was myself verses Stiggy (Steve Evans). This was only the second time we’ve battled this season, but it’s always good fun driving against him. I lead the first run, and charged hard right off the start line knowing the power of his R32 could easily keep up. I initiated the drift close to the wall at 100ish mph and quickly tucked into Brooklands. Steve had followed my line and speed exactly, but thanks to the quick reactions of my car, he was unable to follow my line, and span into his home away from home (the gravel).
The second run had to be played tactically. Because Stiggy had spun on the first, I had a 10-0 advantage and all I needed to do was not spin. So I kept my distance, but then saw an opportunity on the last corner for a bit of showboating, and overtook the R32 on the inside.
Mulvey took out Paul Vlasblom
Buff took out Ralph Crampton
Mark Polody took out Mark Johnsson
Top 4, Semi finals.
I drew my arch nemesis Damian Mulvey. He’s a great bloke, and as I’ve said before, we are very closely matched drivers, hence myself being first in the championship, and him second with just eight points separating us, and also: us finishing 1st and 2nd place in last years Autoglym Drift Championship. So as the overall championship points table depended entirely on the outcome of this battle, it was sure to be a good one to watch.
I lead the first run, and as always we played cat and mouse up to the marker cone that the cars have to remain level up until. Then it was hard on the power, with around 800bhp between us accelerating to the furthest point possible, before flicking, handbraking and powering through Brooklands and Luffield. It’s extremely difficult to gauge where someone is when behind you, but at the exit of Luffield, after a quick look back I saw a couple of car lengths between us. So the roles were reversed, and he lead. I initiated before him, which took me to the inside line of Brooklands and over the rumble strip. This enabled me to flick into the Luffield right hander and up on the inside, where I overtook him right in the last section of the corner. We returned to the start line, where I was expecting to either go through, or at worst to go one more time, but Mulvey had gone through, and my day had ended with a third place.
Luney beat Polody, but Polody was driving very well all day, and deserves massive congratulations on his highest place so far. He has made a very big effort to be at every singe D1GB event, and thoroughly deserves 4th place.
Final
Damian Mulvey verses Mark Luney: These guys are all to familiar with battling each other, but Luney seems to have added a pinch of aggression to his driving recently. Where before he would follow very closely when given the opportunity mid corner, nowadays he seems intent on going for the overtake. And this is exactly how he went on to win this battle and win round four. He actually went wide at Luffield whilst behind Mulvey, and with the help of the Federal 595RS tyres I had lent him, he overtook Mulvey on the outside!! Which ended in a little contact between Mulveys door and Luneys rear quarter (plus my wheel ), but ultimately was a very skilful and daring overtaking manoeuvre, and once again showed exactly how much talent there now is in D1GB.
Once again another fantastic D1GB event! Massive congrats to Luney and Mulvey my podium buddys, and thanks to the D1GB Drifting crew!
Although I still retain a six point lead in the championship, we’re all looking forward to the final round at Trax on the 2nd and 3rd of September. It’s sure to be spectacular, and a fantastic finale to the awesome D1GB Drift season. We shall see you all there :)
Phil Morrison
Driftworks
Pictures courtesy of Ross I'Anson
