Maiden Madness at the Season Kick-Off for the Auto Trader SupaDrift Series 2014

A record number of drivers may have entered the national drifting circuit this year, the Auto Trader SupaDrift Series, however along with the new recruits, came a record number of collisions too. The action turned Boksburg’s Rock Raceway in to a rubber-burning frenzy on Saturday the 15th of February.

“There were 10 collisions in total. The first meet is always the most exciting. Drivers are pushing themselves and their cars to the limit. They’re all looking for early points on their season score cards” said George Mienie, Auto Trader CEO and series sponsor.

The engines began to roar at 3pm with the smell of tyre-shred charging through the crowd late into the night. 

The yo-yo pace of the competition had KZN’s Shane Gutziet finishing with top qualifying points, only to retire in the final round due to a broken diff. Other track incidents involved Dave Nell connecting George Myburgh, while Riaz Alibhai tore Vic Pardal’s E36 apart.

Last years’ runner up, Speed and Sound Border Towing driver Wade van Zummeren took first place, throwing the gauntlet to Mathys Naude in second. In third was Hannes Frans who took the automatic win after Gutzeit’s mechanical faults.

The field of over 40 hopefuls was made up of South African veterans, local rookies, and international drivers from Mozambique. The Rock Raceway was the first stop in the nine-round national series. “It’s a dynamic track and perfect for an event of this caliber,” said Anton Wessels, Achilles Tyres spokesperson and series sponsor. 

As the dust settles and the smoke dissipates from the Rock Raceway, drivers will be gearing up for the next race to take place, 29 March, at the Dezzi Raceway in Port Shepstone. 

To find out more about drifting or to follow the Auto Trader SupaDrift action, watch the series LIVE via the supadrift.co.za site. Or visit Facebook.com/supadriftseries and Twitter.com/Supadriftseries to keep posted on the action.

 

About Supadrift Series:

The SupaDrift Series was founded in 2009 by XS Promotions, organisers and commercial rights holders of the national championship franchise.

The AutoTrader SupaDrift Series is the only Motorsport South African endorsed national championship in the country. This is the second year that a national champion will be crowned.

Drifting involves the intentional over steering of cars, which causes a loss of traction in the rear wheels. Drivers must maintain control from entry to exit of a corner with the intention of gaining style points from judges and spectators. Points are determined by style, drift angle, tyre smoke and noise maintained around a fixed course. 

AutoTrader.co.za is the presenting sponsor and has been for the last 5 years. Other sponsors include  Chevrolet, Achilles Tyres, Turn 1 Wheels, Speed and Sound Magazine, Liqui-Moly, Redbull Energy Drink, Go Pro, GreenSky, F1-X Racing, Jonnesway, Do It Now, and Turtle Wax.

For press enquiries, please contact Michelle Lewis, 072 566 2551.