Cole Armstrong drifting to the top

Tauranga drifter Cole Armstrong has competed at outdoor locations all around the world.

But the chance to contest the first indoor meeting held in the Southern Hemisphere last weekend sure got his competitive juices flowing.

The fact it was inside the famous covered Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin made it even more of a unique event.

Armstrong, 29, made the most of his opportunities in the opening round of the D1NZ National Drifting Championship held last weekend to beat fellow Tauranga driver Drew Donovan in a thrilling final.

Transforming the home of the Highlanders and Otago Rugby into a drifting track took some doing.

Polyurethane was laid on the playing surface before 800 tonnes of concrete was poured for the 90mm thick track.

"When we got there it was definitely mind blowing. I have been to China and drifted in the Olympic Stadium there but to have this in New Zealand is something else," Armstrong said.

"It was pretty awesome to be a part of it and then to obviously take the win was pretty cool. I am definitely lucky to be involved with something like this."

Armstrong, in his Nissan Skyline 250GT, beat Darren Kelly of Auckland in the semifinal, in another close race, before battling for the title against Donovan.

"Pretty much me and Drew started at the same time about seven years ago," Armstrong said.

"Drew has pretty much changed his life now to be about drifting, which is all he sort of does which is absolutely awesome for him. The steps he has come up showed. I have never seen a battle that close and that tight where even I watched the replay 10 to 15 times and thought 'that was close man'.

"There were no mistakes and all it came down to was a little bit of line that the judges called in my favour. I am absolutely blown away with how my last three battles went. They were all real close, real fast, aggressive and technical bits of driving."

There are five rounds left in the D1NZ National Drifting Championship, including a homecoming for Armstrong and Donovan at ASB Baypark on February 24-25, in a night event that is expected to attract record crowds.

But Armstrong was not getting too carried away after just one round of the championship.

"If we can have another good round at Manfeild (January 6-7) to get us in the top four that is a huge thing for the championship, which we are really focusing on this year. Tauranga would be the cream on the top to get that in front of my family and friends.

"We take it in small steps and my biggest thing is having a reliable car and a team that I have so much trust in that if something goes wrong I know these guys are going to get it sorted.

"Having that in the back of your mind just clears your head a little bit. I can just focus on my driving and not worry something is going to happen to the car. We have spent a bit more time this year on making sure we have reliability which is obviously key.

"I am lucky I have so much support, especially from my partner Emily Harris. I am always working on the car or away so I owe her a huge thank you."