Gisborne teenager tops quality NZ field in first competitive drifting event

Teenager Corbyn Wilson raced his drift car for the first time last weekend and beat some of the best in the country in Round 1 of the MSC Drifting Challenge at Meremere. The 15-year-old and his family and supporters were ecstatic at the result which has him top of the points standings in the four-round competition. Screenshot image

MOTORSPORT

Gisborne youth ministock speedway racer Corbyn Wilson demonstrated his versatility and burgeoning skill when he won a major drifting event in Auckland at the weekend.

The 15-year-old won the first round of the MSC Drifting Challenge at Meremere in Auckland against 31 amateur and professional drifters from around the country.

Car drifters use oversteer to get their vehicle to drive sideways through corners at high speed.

It is defined as “a sport of control”. The brakes, throttle and steering are manipulated in such a way to keep the car in an oversteer position while maintaining absolute control and shifting the weight of the car between corners.

Gisborne Boys’ High student Corbyn competes in his 44G car in the youth ministocks at Gisborne Speedway. He won three races from three starts at the club’s last meeting.

Mum Tamsin says on spare weekends he makes the long trip north to the Drift Academy at Meremere between Hamilton and Auckland.

“He was racing against a wide range of skilled drifters in New Zealand last weekend,” she said.

The teenager and his support team, including mum and dad  (Shaun), were ecstatic.

“It was Corbyn’s first drifting event so the win was unexpected,” Tamsin said.

“He was just there to get a feel for it, so to win was an amazing feeling for him . . . and for us.”

Corbyn pilots a Nissan 370z powered by an LS3 V8 engine making 500hp, sequential gearbox, wisefab angle kit and Parts Shop Max rear end.

Corbyn is hands-on with maintaining his car with help from Shaun and “an amazing” group of local skilled helpers.

“We’ve had tremendous support from sponsors in Gisborne and all over the country for the drift car and his youth ministock, which we really appreciate,” Tamsin said.

“Corbyn’s grandfather Rod, from Wilson Haulage, is one of his biggest fans and supporters.”

There are three rounds to go in the Drift Challenge.

The next is back at Meremere on November 25.

The MSC challenge was started in 2006 in Japan by Kazuhiko Iwata, who also founded the Formula Drift Japan series.

The focus is on competitive fun on a level playing field while progressing skills in drifters of all skill levels.

It has become extremely popular in Japan.

“The MSC Challenge is a feeder series to the top-tier competition Formula Drift Japan, where top drivers will be awarded with Formula Drift Japan driver licences,” organisers say on its website.

“At MSC NZ we will be awarding the series champion the Formula Drift Japan 2 Licence.

“It’s our pleasure to have the founder Iwata-san and Formula Drift Japan judge Robbie Nishida fully behind our events.

“The event will be live-streamed online so this is a great opportunity to showcase your skills to them and the world.”