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This weekend saw the Finals of the D1GB National Championship at Silverstone race circuit, Northants, UK and what a final it was! Held in front of the 15,000 strong attendees at the event, the drivers faced their biggest audience of the year, the boys didn’t disappoint!.......
Qualifying – Saturday 02.09.06 ( Non public day )
With the rain and gale-force winds in the morning it was never going to be easy for the drivers and teams. The day’s agenda was a practice session first thing in the morning with all the entrants out on track to warm up for the qualifying later that morning. The conditions were terrible with standing water on the apex of the first corner the drivers fought to get the correct lines and get to grips with the changing surface conditions but with their speed cut down a little, all but a few managed to keep the cars on track and keep the gravel at bay.
With practice over and some final adjustments to the cars, the two qualifying sessions began which each driver having one warm up and three judged runs on the still-wet track. To begin with it was Tim Marshall in the Sumo 350Z which scored the highest points, grabbing a 96 point run and with the best lines from the group, later his score being matched by the man on the move, Ben Broke Smith in his R32 Skyline who went on to qualify in 1st place just pipping Tim by 1 point on another run. Also making a late return to the Championship was Irishman Darren Mcnamara who settled in the 3rd spot behind Tim and Ben. The weather conditions were not kind to some, who struggled to get the grip levels they needed in their machines which work well in the dry but missed on performing on par with the front runners who had managed to put in some first class runs.
The D1GB Championship Final – Sunday 3rd – Record 15000 attendance
After the cruel weather the day before we were blessed with a windy but clear,dry and sunny morning - perfect for drifting. With a huge show in place at Trax there were thousands of people turned out from fans to car clubs and trade, giving the D1GB the potential to reach the biggest audience all year and providing the perfect back-drop to our grand finale. In the pits there were was a buzz of excitement between drivers as those who failed to qualify were still in attendance and giving help and advice to those who had made the top 16 ( see table below ) with everyone also trying to work out points positions for the Championship podium. First up was a lunchtime practice session for the top 16 cars and drivers, who were being watched by their biggest crowd ever. The boys were allowed out on track in free-form, meaning that there were upto 5/6 cars on track at once, not only practising but showing the public just how spectacular Drifting really is as they left a wall of tyre smoke throughout the entire course whilst receiving huge applause from the crowds with cheers and claps coming out for the favourite drivers and cars which fuelled the drivers more as the took to showboating their skills. Throughout the entire course from the start line to the finish all seats were filled and the standing public 5-10 deep in places as the all clambered to get a good view of the action.
With no casualties from practice the top 16 made their way to the BRDC clubhouse which was laid on to provide a special treat to end the season in a very exclusive manner, having lunch and drinks in the confines of Silverstone’s most prestigious glass building along with the Championships VIP’s and guests. ( Big thank you to the management/BRDC at Silverstone).
This was it, the finals for the 2006 D1GB, the cars headed out on track to be introduced one by one to the waiting crowds which was well received with huge cheers for each driver. With the introductions over the drivers returned to their cars and proceeded to line up in the start line area.
Top 16
The first battles were hard fought with Ben Broke Smith closely dispensing of Cramptons SVA 350Z in the first stages with a 6-4 result in both runs and moving forward to the top 8. Without doubt the closest runs of the entire show was between Vlasblom and Autoglym’s Hudson who after such close runnings were forced to run 3 times with each driver putting runs in which were so close. In the end Hudson managed to shine through and gain just 1 point over Vlasblom, forcing Vlasblom out. Another close match and an extremely exicting one was between Luney and Motorpoints Green in the ever popular Toyota Soarer. With Green running over 120bhp more than the experienced Luney, these guys had fought at the last round where Luney won, however today was Greens revenge as he made a superb effort to kerb Luney’s advances and go on to take him out, leaving Green to move on to the next round.
Top 8
With the top 8 decided, it was a mix of old and new faces making the grade with the likes of Marshall and Green up against Drift veterans Castle and Mulvey with both Marshall and Green being taken out at the top 8 stage by Castle and Mulvey with 2 hard fought battles. Ben Broke Smith was at it again and this time with Autoglym’s Hudson and both running R32 Skylines with Broke Smith edging 1 point ahead of Hudson and making his way into the top 4. Championship front runner Morrison had also made it through to the top 8 and found himself up against Mcnamara in his AE86 Toyota. With Morrison setting down a relentless effort he made yet another 2 consistent runs and disposing of Irelands’ No.1 driver Mcnamara as the Irishman span off track as he failed to keep up with Morrison’s pace.
Top 4
Today was going to be Broke Smith’s best of the year and a pattern was forming as he lined his R32 Skyline against Castle in his S14a Nissan. With only a small advantage, but a clear one, Broke Smith managed to show Castle the upper hand and went on to beat him with a 4-7 pair of runs, enough to see Castle out of the competition and Broke Smith into the final. Next up was Morrison and Mulvey, a pair that always put on a good show and these runs were to be no different with Morrison gaining a slight advantage in his first run against Mulvey who fought hard to the end but it was Morrison who once again showed his determination for the title and ran true to form once more beating Mulvey with a 6-5 score.
The Final – Phil Morrison vs. Ben Broke Smith
For the first time in the 2006 season Broke Smith was where he wanted to be and in the final. The only problem was that he was faced with the Championship leader and previous round winner Morrison. Morrison, on a high from the taste of the 1st place podium of Round 4, was also eager to take out Broke Smith and claim 2 victories for the season.
As the drivers made their first warm up pass there was a feeling of uncertainty of the outcome, Morrison on one side with a wealth of consistent runs and the proven ability to win and Broke Smith on the other, a man with determination but little success in the past yet a new found level of play had fallen into his hands at Round 5 and today he was showing what he could do. As they came out it was Broke Smith showing the upper hand with a much more impressive over Morrison leaving Morrison with the lowest score of the day and a 3-7 advantage to Broke Smith as they went into the final run. At the first corner both entered with huge speed and angle as if they were attached as one, making their way through the first corner and into the high speed transition. There was nothing to separate them as neither car managed to edge forward without the other following suit. As they came around the final corner at Luffield the crowd were jumping and cheering at the showmanship and the 50 feet wall of tyre smoke that they left in their wake. As the drivers came back to the first corner and the got out of their cars, the crowds rose from their seats to listen for the final decision on the judging. The last run proved a tie with a 5-5 score between them, coupled with the 3-7 advantage Broke Smith has from the first run, it resulted in a 1st place and well deserved podium for Ben Broke Smith and his R32 Skyline. It was an emotional moment as Ben was congratulated by his fellow Drifters and the media grabbed the first expressions of a man who made it in the end!.
The Championship – 2006 result
With Round 5 over, it was the end of the Championship and the action of the day finally crowned the first champion of the D1GB National Championship – Phil Morrison
A huge congratulations and well done to Phil and his team!
NRG Events and GT Battle ( The Championship organisers ) wish to thank all involved in the Championship for the 2006 season. Particular thanks go to our sponsors who have made the Championship possible, the teams and drivers, our staff and all those who have contributed in different ways to keep it all alive and with whom we could not have achieved what we have this year, even when faced with huge challenges and changes to make it wall work we stuck together and made Europe’s first professional D1 Drift Championship a success.
Thank you!
Full results here:
http://www.d1gb.co.uk/news.asp
The Next GT Battle Event ( THE FINALS ) are:
Donington – Sept 30th ( TIME ATTACK ONLY )
Qualifying – Saturday 02.09.06 ( Non public day )
With the rain and gale-force winds in the morning it was never going to be easy for the drivers and teams. The day’s agenda was a practice session first thing in the morning with all the entrants out on track to warm up for the qualifying later that morning. The conditions were terrible with standing water on the apex of the first corner the drivers fought to get the correct lines and get to grips with the changing surface conditions but with their speed cut down a little, all but a few managed to keep the cars on track and keep the gravel at bay.
With practice over and some final adjustments to the cars, the two qualifying sessions began which each driver having one warm up and three judged runs on the still-wet track. To begin with it was Tim Marshall in the Sumo 350Z which scored the highest points, grabbing a 96 point run and with the best lines from the group, later his score being matched by the man on the move, Ben Broke Smith in his R32 Skyline who went on to qualify in 1st place just pipping Tim by 1 point on another run. Also making a late return to the Championship was Irishman Darren Mcnamara who settled in the 3rd spot behind Tim and Ben. The weather conditions were not kind to some, who struggled to get the grip levels they needed in their machines which work well in the dry but missed on performing on par with the front runners who had managed to put in some first class runs.
The D1GB Championship Final – Sunday 3rd – Record 15000 attendance
After the cruel weather the day before we were blessed with a windy but clear,dry and sunny morning - perfect for drifting. With a huge show in place at Trax there were thousands of people turned out from fans to car clubs and trade, giving the D1GB the potential to reach the biggest audience all year and providing the perfect back-drop to our grand finale. In the pits there were was a buzz of excitement between drivers as those who failed to qualify were still in attendance and giving help and advice to those who had made the top 16 ( see table below ) with everyone also trying to work out points positions for the Championship podium. First up was a lunchtime practice session for the top 16 cars and drivers, who were being watched by their biggest crowd ever. The boys were allowed out on track in free-form, meaning that there were upto 5/6 cars on track at once, not only practising but showing the public just how spectacular Drifting really is as they left a wall of tyre smoke throughout the entire course whilst receiving huge applause from the crowds with cheers and claps coming out for the favourite drivers and cars which fuelled the drivers more as the took to showboating their skills. Throughout the entire course from the start line to the finish all seats were filled and the standing public 5-10 deep in places as the all clambered to get a good view of the action.
With no casualties from practice the top 16 made their way to the BRDC clubhouse which was laid on to provide a special treat to end the season in a very exclusive manner, having lunch and drinks in the confines of Silverstone’s most prestigious glass building along with the Championships VIP’s and guests. ( Big thank you to the management/BRDC at Silverstone).
This was it, the finals for the 2006 D1GB, the cars headed out on track to be introduced one by one to the waiting crowds which was well received with huge cheers for each driver. With the introductions over the drivers returned to their cars and proceeded to line up in the start line area.
Top 16
The first battles were hard fought with Ben Broke Smith closely dispensing of Cramptons SVA 350Z in the first stages with a 6-4 result in both runs and moving forward to the top 8. Without doubt the closest runs of the entire show was between Vlasblom and Autoglym’s Hudson who after such close runnings were forced to run 3 times with each driver putting runs in which were so close. In the end Hudson managed to shine through and gain just 1 point over Vlasblom, forcing Vlasblom out. Another close match and an extremely exicting one was between Luney and Motorpoints Green in the ever popular Toyota Soarer. With Green running over 120bhp more than the experienced Luney, these guys had fought at the last round where Luney won, however today was Greens revenge as he made a superb effort to kerb Luney’s advances and go on to take him out, leaving Green to move on to the next round.
Top 8
With the top 8 decided, it was a mix of old and new faces making the grade with the likes of Marshall and Green up against Drift veterans Castle and Mulvey with both Marshall and Green being taken out at the top 8 stage by Castle and Mulvey with 2 hard fought battles. Ben Broke Smith was at it again and this time with Autoglym’s Hudson and both running R32 Skylines with Broke Smith edging 1 point ahead of Hudson and making his way into the top 4. Championship front runner Morrison had also made it through to the top 8 and found himself up against Mcnamara in his AE86 Toyota. With Morrison setting down a relentless effort he made yet another 2 consistent runs and disposing of Irelands’ No.1 driver Mcnamara as the Irishman span off track as he failed to keep up with Morrison’s pace.
Top 4
Today was going to be Broke Smith’s best of the year and a pattern was forming as he lined his R32 Skyline against Castle in his S14a Nissan. With only a small advantage, but a clear one, Broke Smith managed to show Castle the upper hand and went on to beat him with a 4-7 pair of runs, enough to see Castle out of the competition and Broke Smith into the final. Next up was Morrison and Mulvey, a pair that always put on a good show and these runs were to be no different with Morrison gaining a slight advantage in his first run against Mulvey who fought hard to the end but it was Morrison who once again showed his determination for the title and ran true to form once more beating Mulvey with a 6-5 score.
The Final – Phil Morrison vs. Ben Broke Smith
For the first time in the 2006 season Broke Smith was where he wanted to be and in the final. The only problem was that he was faced with the Championship leader and previous round winner Morrison. Morrison, on a high from the taste of the 1st place podium of Round 4, was also eager to take out Broke Smith and claim 2 victories for the season.
As the drivers made their first warm up pass there was a feeling of uncertainty of the outcome, Morrison on one side with a wealth of consistent runs and the proven ability to win and Broke Smith on the other, a man with determination but little success in the past yet a new found level of play had fallen into his hands at Round 5 and today he was showing what he could do. As they came out it was Broke Smith showing the upper hand with a much more impressive over Morrison leaving Morrison with the lowest score of the day and a 3-7 advantage to Broke Smith as they went into the final run. At the first corner both entered with huge speed and angle as if they were attached as one, making their way through the first corner and into the high speed transition. There was nothing to separate them as neither car managed to edge forward without the other following suit. As they came around the final corner at Luffield the crowd were jumping and cheering at the showmanship and the 50 feet wall of tyre smoke that they left in their wake. As the drivers came back to the first corner and the got out of their cars, the crowds rose from their seats to listen for the final decision on the judging. The last run proved a tie with a 5-5 score between them, coupled with the 3-7 advantage Broke Smith has from the first run, it resulted in a 1st place and well deserved podium for Ben Broke Smith and his R32 Skyline. It was an emotional moment as Ben was congratulated by his fellow Drifters and the media grabbed the first expressions of a man who made it in the end!.
The Championship – 2006 result
With Round 5 over, it was the end of the Championship and the action of the day finally crowned the first champion of the D1GB National Championship – Phil Morrison
A huge congratulations and well done to Phil and his team!
NRG Events and GT Battle ( The Championship organisers ) wish to thank all involved in the Championship for the 2006 season. Particular thanks go to our sponsors who have made the Championship possible, the teams and drivers, our staff and all those who have contributed in different ways to keep it all alive and with whom we could not have achieved what we have this year, even when faced with huge challenges and changes to make it wall work we stuck together and made Europe’s first professional D1 Drift Championship a success.
Thank you!
Full results here:
http://www.d1gb.co.uk/news.asp
The Next GT Battle Event ( THE FINALS ) are:
Donington – Sept 30th ( TIME ATTACK ONLY )