Terry Guest
Special to the Record
Round 1 of the Drifting Competition took place at Saratoga Speedway on Saturday. Five cars from all across the North Island put on an amazing display, with reigning champion #26 Alex Davidson eventually driving his 440 horse powered Nissan 240 SX to the winner's circle.
In drifting, all cars qualify through a points system based on their control, technique, risk of the run and speed. From that point, two cars are matched together to do side by side drifting with one slightly trailing the other, trying to “mock” his or her run. The cars then switch, with the one who was trailing now leading trying to outdo the other's run.
The judges then decide based on the pointing system who has out drifted the other, and the winner moves on to the semis and the loser to the loser's bracket.
After a few runs and a bunch of eliminations, Davidson found himself in the finals with #4 Andrew Ottosen. After some back and forth drifting, the judges gave Davidson the nod. #14 Kyle Fallowfield narrowly beat #15 Tom Flagel for third place.
EXTRA LAPS The monster trucks make their first appearance this upcoming long weekend, with Rockstar and California Kid here once again to put on another amazing performance … in previous years we have seen these trucks hit incredible air and both trucks have even rolled over … accompanying the monster trucks on Saturday will be the Crash to Pass cars, Hornets, Roadrunners and Figure 8s with the I.M.C.A Modifieds and Bombers joining the action on Sunday … both nights run rain or shine …
– Saratoga Speedway