Motorsport: Unofficial Kiwi flies at drifting world champs

Ex-pat Kiwi Rhys Millen on his way to winning the Drifting World Championship at Long Beach. Photo / alastairritchie.com

Ex-pat New Zealand Rhys Millen cleaned up at the weekend's Red Bull Drifting World Championship in Long Beach.

The competition saw invited drivers from the world's top drift organisations going head to head for the fattest prize purse the sport has ever seen.

Millen, while not officially driving for New Zealand in his Red Bull sponsored Pontiac Solstice, was born here.

The champs took place at a purpose-built track at the Port of Long Beach, which featured six turns with a 160km/h right-hand entry. Solid walls and barriers claimed many of the competition as 32 of the world's best drifters - including 17 past and present series champions - got used to the demanding track.

Representing New Zealand was 2008 D1NZ champ Garry Whiter, 2007 winner Carl Ruiterman and 'Mad Mike' Whiddet, who claimed a podium finish at this year's Formula Drift Singapore event.

Millen pocketed US$25,000 in the Solstice, with teammate Daijiro Yoshihara spinning the Rhys Millen Racing Pontiac GTO (think Holden Commodore) in the final to take second place. They were followed by Tanner Foust in the Rockstar/AEM Nissan 350Z.

"To come up after one of the most challenging years in Formula DRIFT and finish in the top three and then to be the marquee driver at this premiere event and take the Red Bull Drifting Championship outright is a feeling I have never had before," said Millen post-event.

Of the other Kiwi drivers, Gary Whiter was pushed out of the competition early after falling to American Chris Forsberg.

Carl Ruiterman took out Aussie Luke Fink and Mad Mike beat Paul Vlasblom - setting up a New Zealand head-to-head.

Mad Mike was successful, before losing out to Tanner Foust, who finished the event third in his 350Z.

- NZ HERALD STAFF