Adam Davies scores first D1NZ win at Manfeild

Adam Davies, pictured battling Darren Kelly in the final. Photo / Simon Chapman

Team DSR have gone back-to-back in the Link ECU D1NZ National Drifting Championship after Adam Davies took victory at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon.

Feilding hosted the penultimate round of the D1NZ Pro Series where the rotary-powered Nissan pilot made it the second straight win for the team. Stablemate Dave Steedman took victory at the venue last year to notch up his first win in the series.

It's the first time Davies has won a round of D1NZ having only ever podiumed at his home round in Tauranga last year.

"It's pretty cool and it's a huge win for me because not many people run a rotary so it's a big win in that respect," Davies said.

"It's a big one for the team too. They put in a lot of effort along with friends and family. It's a big achievement for us and it's really boosted the morale of the team.

"Everyone's driving was just phenomenal. Every battle you had to step your game up each time. I had to try everything I could."

Photo / Simon Chapman

There was drama in the top-16 when V Energy-backed drifter Cole Armstrong took to the grass on his chase against Dave Steedman. The pair both made big mistakes in the second run, but the judges decided unanimously that Steedman would go through.

Australian Matty Hill looked like he might be out of the competition early after contact with Smartcookie8 drifter Gaz Whiter in their top-16 battle. A messy run by the 4.Mance Automotive driver seemed to give the advantage to Whiter.

However, Hill got a reprieve in the second run when Whiter tapped the side of the Australian's car and sent him into a spin. That gave Hill a 10-zero advantage and the win.

The level of proximity was so high that many of the drifters were making contact with one another.

Hill kept getting caught up in the drama, this time against top-eight rival Darren Kelly. Through turn two he slowed and Kelly slammed into the side of the leading Silvia. The incident was attributed to Hill and Kelly was duly given the win through to the top-four.

Andrew Redward was aggressive on his chase and stuck with the bumper of Drew Donovan's car in the top-eight. Redward stretched his legs on the lead and won the battle. The judges ruled there were an equal numbers of mistakes on line, but Redward had the speed and proximity to leg it.

Jaron Olivecrona's strong run through to the top eight saw him go up against Tom Marshall. A unanimous decision by the judges saw Olivecrona go through to the top-four by narrowest of margins.

Redward went up against Adam Davies in a rotary versus V8 dogfight in the first semi-final. Redward dived on the switch and went deep into turn two, but managed to maintain proximity.

Davies chased hard in the final and Redward dropped a wheel off at the final corner. He was awarded the win on a better line and chase.

After his best performance to date, Jaron Olivecrona made it through to the top-four but went wide at turn two and off into the grass. Darren Kelly took a 10-zero advantage into the second half of the battle and the win.

The finals stacked Davies and Kelly for first and second, while Redward and Olivecrona battled for third. Olivecrona narrowly missed out on taking the final podium position, but recorded his best career result.

In the final of Davies versus Kelly, the Nissan-backed drifter made two fundamental mistakes. First he corrected at the second turn, which upset his run through the rest of the circuit. Then on approach to the hairpin, Kelly dived too deep and hit the back of Davies.

The contact subsequently sent both cars into a half spin and Kelly was deemed to be at fault, which gave Davies the win.

The Link ECU D1NZ National Drifting Championship moves to Auckland's Pukekohe Park for the final title decider over May 12-13. Darren Kelly currently leads the championship with one round to go.

2018 Link ECU D1NZ National Drifting Championship calendar:
Round 1: Wellington – Max Motors Family Speedway – 12-13 January
Round 2: Tauranga – ASB Baypark Stadium – 16-17 February
Round 3: Timaru – Levels Raceway – 9-10 March
Round 4: Feilding – Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon – 20-21 April
Round 5: Auckland – Pukekohe Park – 12-13 May