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Templeman ships north to Formula Drift Singapore |
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After conquering the drift world in the States, the Formula Drift Championship stepped up the play by heading abroad and running events around the world back in 2008. Dropping its successful recipe for sliding into Singapore, further events bloomed in Thailand and Malaysia. At that inaugural Singapore event, New Zealand was well represented by Mike Whiddett and Jason Sellars, with Mike even returning at further events to stand atop the podium in 2009.
And now, in little over a month’s time, one of New Zealand’s most multitalented drivers, Daynom Templeman, is flying north to put his name on the Formula D map at the ESPN Star Sports Formula Drift Singapore 2010 on April 24 and 25. Courtesy of Goodyear ASEAN, Daynom received an invite to compete on the world stage, and with help from new sponsor Bardahl Asia Pacific, Daynom and the team have been able to make the overseas assault a reality – an opportunity that extends to both the Thailand and Malaysian events, too.
A talented driver in a range of fields (third in the NZ Grand Prix in 2007, multiple rally winner, multiple midget car wins, second in Australian Formula 3 championship, winner of a Asian Formula 2000 round, NZ Off-road champion and past NZV8 driver), Daynom’s abilities behind the wheel speak for themselves, and are the reason why after such a short space of time in the sport that Daynom has already been given the opportunity to compete against Asia-Pacific’s best.
Run on a section of the Singapore Formula 1 track, the two-day ESPN Star Sports Formula Drift 2010 event will offer the 60-odd strong field – featuring drivers from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand – the chance to run the streets, legally, and to trade paint with the concrete barriers that street courses are renowned for.
To follow how Daynom gets on in Singapore, be sure to check www.daynom.com over the weekend of April 23 – 25.
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Team Auckland takes 4 & Rotary Jamboree Drift Invitational |
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24 drivers. 8 teams. 1 winning line-up. That’s how the latest addition to the 2010 V 4 & Rotary Jamboree calendar, the City of Origin drift invitational, played out. And it’s something that will be making a regular appearance after its success on March 29 at Manfeild.
The concept was simple – eight teams, made up of three drivers a piece, representing different regions of the North Island and with the team winning two or more battles advancing to the next round. Simple. Instead of qualifying drivers individually like a normal drift event, teams were seeded based on their make-ups prior to the event, with team Whangarei – consisting of ex-D1NZ champion, Fanga Dan, two-times ex-D1NZ champion, Gaz Whiter and Sam Groombridge – securing the top ranked spot.
Seeded second for the event, was team Auckland, made-up of ex-two times NZ Drift and D1NZ champion, Carl Ruiterman, Andrew Redward and Daynom Templeman. Theoretically, if all played out as expected, the two would meet again in the final. And play out it did. After battling their way through the field, Whangarei met Auckland in spectacular fashion in the inaugural City of Origin drift battle. And spectators weren’t left wanting.
Auckland team leader, Carl Ruiterman, had been on form all day and looked the driver to beat. With this in mind, team Whangarei threw its two-time D1NZ champ, Gaz Whiter, to the cause. Unfortunately, after a tight first battle, the drivers were sent to a re-run, with Carl emerging the victor after arguably some of the best battling seen in NZ in years. Seeded second, were Fanga Dan Woolhouse from team Whangarei and Andrew Redward from team Auckland. After Fanga made contact with Andrew at the beginning of the pass, he was forced to retire with mechanical issues, handing the battle – and indeed the victory – the way of team Auckland.
While the third battle between Whangarei’s Sam Groombridge and Auckland’s Daynom Templeman was of little consequence, the two went at it, drawing even by the time they’d both rounded the traps twice. However, with the result of the battle a dead-ringer, it was called quits and team Auckland emerged as the inaugural V 4 & Rotary City of Origin drift invitational winners!
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