Auckland-based international "Mad" Mike Whiddett leads the points standings, but heading into the final round of this season's Cody's D1NZ National Drifting Championship at Hampton Downs, the high-profile Whiddett is only one of five drivers with a mathematical chance of taking out the 2011/12 title.
With fellow Aucklander Curt Whittaker(Team Dilusi 2JZ Nissan Skyline), Whiddett has dominated this season's title chase, the pair claiming two round wins apiece.
So competitive has this season's championship been, however, that only 59 points separate the top six competitors with just one round to go this weekend.
"Everyone has had one bad round either through a mechanical failure or a silly mistake. So yeah, the pressure is definitely on," Whiddett said.
Whiddett won the most recent round of the Cody's series on a converted street course at Ruakaka near Whangarei, but Whittaker blew his car's engine on his qualifying run. He, in turn, won the fourth round of the series at the night round at Auckland's Mt Smart stadium a month before. But both Whiddett and Dargaville's Gary "Gaz" Whiter (Tectaloy Nissan S14) were eliminated before they got to the final after clipping a barrier and stalling in earlier battles.
Of the round winners, in fact, only round three victor Daynom Templeman (NAC Insurance Mazda RX7) of Auckland is not in the hunt for the overall series victory, though such is the nature of drifting he has as much of a chance as Whiddett or Whittaker of winning the final round. "Really, it's anyone's round and that's the beauty of drifting. Both Dan [Whangarei's "Fanga" Dan Woolhouse, Castrol Edge Holden Commodore] and Gaz got close at their home round yet neither has won a round yet. Mike and Curt have both been there twice but look what happened to Curt at Ruakaka? You never know until the day who is going to make it to the podium let alone the top step," series promoter Brendon White said.
The two-day final round sees the battle for the Pro-Am title contested tomorrow and the battle for D1NZ honours on Saturday.
Pro-Am is a little easier to pick with Pukekohe's Cam Vernon (E&H; Motors Nissan Skyline R32) a three-time class round winner this season, enjoying a 58-point advantage over William Foster with Vincent Hopkins a further nine points back in third.
