Motorsport: Finale shapes up as classic

Northland's top drifter is back in action this weekend and looking to finish what he started six months ago as the final round of the Cody's D1NZ National Drifting Championship slides into Taupo.

Dan 'Fanga Dan' Woolhouse sits top of the standings with a slim lead over defending champion Curt Whittaker, after the final round was delayed two months and also relocated.

However, Woolhouse believes the delay has aided his preparations towards being crowned the 2013 D1NZ drift king.

"I think it has been a slight advantage," Woolhouse explains. "[As a result of the delay I have] got the extra seat time at D-Comp, and it's the same track as the D1NZ grand final."

Last month, Woolhouse won the Drift Motorsport NZ's D-Comp competition in Taupo which saw him win $5000 and gain extra confidence leading into this weekend's racing.

It promises to be an exciting event with less than 100 points separating the top four contenders heading into the final round.

Such is the depth of talent in the D1 ranks, the winner of the final round might not necessarily be the winner of the 2012/13 title.

"It's just so competitive out there at the moment," confirms Whittaker. "Any one of 10 drivers could come through and win the round."

Auckland-based international drifter 'Mad Mike' Whiddett and Woolhouse have won two series rounds apiece so far, with Whiddett coming on strong in the latter part of the season after Woolhouse dominated the early rounds.

The final is a full two-day meeting with practice for both D1 and Pro-Am categories on Saturday morning before Pro-Am qualifying and first battles in the afternoon.

Sunday then brings D1NZ qualifying, the final Pro-Am battles, and the final D1 battles of the season in the afternoon.

Also doing better with each round in the D1NZ series is the most high-profile rookie, V8 Supercar and SuperTourer racer Shane van Gisbergen, who will be back at Taupo sharing the crowd-pleasing Federal Tyres-backed 'Rattla' Ford Falcon V8 with friend Shane Allen from Tuakau.

This season has seen 60-strong fields at each Cody's D1NZ round and series organiser Brendon White has confirmed at least that many across the two categories at Taupo this weekend.