Eastern Creek June 28-29

[Boaty]

The Toyo Tires Drift Australia Series slides into Eastern Creek International Raceway on June 28-29 for what is expected to be one of the biggest and most exciting events in the history of the series.

Leighton Fine (Team CTS Nissan 180SX) from South Australia holds a narrow points lead in the championship ahead of Victorian Luke Fink (Holfords Racing Nissan S14) and 2006 champion Beau Yates from NSW (Toyota Racing Developments AE86 Sprinter). Christian Pickering (Senwill Racing Nissan S15) is in fourth place while reigning champion Robbie Bolger from QLD (CAPA Castrol Holden Monaro) is fifth.

Leighton Fine said “Eastern Creek is spectacular to drift on. The entry speed is huge and it is a track that rewards bravery and skill but punishes mistakes big time. There were a lot of accidents last year and I imagine that it will be same again this time. Fans certainly see plenty of action.”

After taking back-to-back wins at the opening two rounds of the series in Tasmania and Queensland, Fine struck mechanical problems in round 3 on his home track at Mallala. Fink took the win and a maximum 500 points haul to move within just 36 points of Fine. Podium results by Yates and Bolger at the last two round have moved them back into championship contention after poor performances at the season opener.

Robbie Bolger said “The level of competition is so intense now that it is impossible to pick a winner at these events but Eastern Creek favours the big V8s so we’ll be looking to punish the Japanese cars. The judges tell us they want to see close proximity so that’s what we’re going to deliver.”

Drift Australia judge Kristian Appelt said “I can’t wait to get to this round. The course we use at Eastern Creek generates very close drifting and seeing drivers like Yates, Fine, Fink and Bolger going head-to-head there will be an amazing spectacle. Fine and Fink have been in devastating form this year but anyone that under-estimates the likes of Fernando Wiehrl or Beau Yates on their home track will be in for a shock.”

Beau Yates will also enjoy some additional moral support at the Eastern Creek round from fellow TRD driver, Neal Bates. Bates, who currently leads the 2008 Australian Rally Championship in his TRD Super 2000 Corolla has taken a keen interest in Beau’s drifting career after the pair swapped cars for a test drive before the final round of the 2007 series.

“It will be great to have Neal in my corner for the weekend.” said Yates. He will be bringing the TRD Rally Village along to put on display. The Super 2000 Corolla will be there and also the TRD Aurion Tarmac Rally Car.”

In addition to all of the Drift Australia and Super Drift Series competition there will be a show-n-shine, Team Drifting, Drift Expression Sessions, an Extreme Entry Competition, a jet car ‘flame-show’, stunt bike demonstrations and even the opportunity to win a passenger ride with the current Drift Australia Series leader Leighton Fine.

The on-track action starts at 10am on Saturday and 9:45am on Sunday. Tickets are $20 for Saturday, $30 for Sunday or $40 for a weekend pass . FREE entry for children under 14. Visit www.driftaustralia.com.au for more details.

[N1GTR]

Spectating

[SHANE666]

HELL YEAH!

i went last year.

two monaro's ate everyone.

saw one yellow r34 that i liked.

catherine 'driftcat' coleiro ftw in her 180sx woohoo!

[benm]

x1 spectation.

[airbornesoldier]

YEEEE ill be there!

[Sheng]

I should be there for most of the saturday, whose with me ?

[ChrisCross]

I should be there for most of the saturday, whose with me ?

I might be not sure yet if Ill come down Sat or sunday. Stay tuned

[Black Widow]

i'll be there sunday for sure...

[N1GTR]

Im there for both days

[Travis32]

yeh im goin n got a group of like 20 or more ppl so should be a good day

[SHANE666]

that was freakin insane lol

what the hell did that orange s13 have under the hood?

it was loud as fark.

[mr moo]

that was freakin insane lol

what the hell did that orange s13 have under the hood?

it was loud as fark.

v8 apparently. how much did it smoke it.

how good was the top 8 shoot out.

[SHANE666]

lol yeah thought so

yeah it smoked up heaps.

where was driftcat? i was so dissappointed.

or is she drifting tomorrow?

[SDEWY5]

v8 apparently. how much did it smoke it.

how good was the top 8 shoot out.

Some1 told me it was a Nascar V8, looked and sounded insane! Cat's car went kaput, engine failure around 1pm in practice.

Was mad day, no wind though friend was talking to Luke Fink said coming onto the straight in the late arvo he couldnt see anything from the combination of the sun off the horison and the smoke...would be pretty scary. Few 150km/h entries into turn 1 too.

Who's R34 GTR was that there? looked fkn sweet.

[mr moo]

she was trying to sort a new engine or someones car.

saw that v-sec too. looked sweet.

should be even sweeter tomorrow

[SHANE666]

yeh gt-r looked sweet

didnt go into the pits this year.

last year we didnt know and walke dinto the pits instead of where the action was.

damn i missed drift cat. shes so cool. i really do LOVE her.

[benm]

To be honest I didn't rate the day very highly at all.

The sun was hot and constantly had to look into it, no shade at all, only 1 display and the crowd was about 1/3rd of last year.

The best thing about the day was watching cars smack side on into the tyre bundles.

[SHANE666]

On the sunday of this comp last year at eastern creek, we didnt have as many as we did today....

lol @ "anyone caught drifting in the car park will be reported to the constabulatories..."

[benm]

I think if Toyo pulled out of this sport it would crumble within months.

[SDEWY5]

Theyre doing well, i hope it gets bigger and better every year, love watching it...