EUROPEAN DRIFT CHAMPIONSHIP // ROUND 3 - SILVERSTONE

Silverstone was bombarded with JDM fans, drifting powerhouses and scorching sun as it sees action from Round Three of the Need for Speed European Drift Championship. With current leader Phil Morrison out of this round due to mechanical problems, the top spot was all the play for as Round Two winner Pete Barber was keen to add another win to his belt. 
 
There was a fair amount of drama during the day. Whilst there were only a few spins, namely from Paul Conlan in his red Nissan Silvia S15 and Paul Cheshire in his Nissan S14, the gravel traps were hungry for drift victims... [read more]

Dave Monaghan and his gold Nissan R32 Skyline was one of the first to plough deep into the gravel when taking on Pete Barber. Barber’s usual Mazda RX7 unfortunately faced problems and had to borrow a Team Green Mazda FC. An unfamiliar car didn’t stop the Round 2 winner though, as he cruised into the top 8 as a result of Monaghan’s plight and beating Andrew Cooper by a small margin.

Ian Harrison in his blue Nissan R32 Skyline was another victim of the gravel trap as he ploughed into the same spot as Monaghan when up against Stewart Hansford in his black Nissan S13.

The drama didn’t end there with Harrison giving it his all in the second run, forcing an overtake on the inside leading to small contact between the two drivers. However, such moves are frowned upon the judges and Hansford progressed to the top 8.  

Drifting veterans Declan Hicks and Brett Castle performed very well during the top 16, with the two drivers eventually meeting each other in the top 8 battles. However, Hicks and his Toyota Soarer succumbed to the gravel trap, and went in deep at the first corner giving the 2006 Champion Castle the win. Alan McCord in his signature pink Nissan S15 V8 also saw very little resistance whilst progressing towards to the top 4 and even saw off the crazy Mark Luney in his Nissan 350Z.  

As the field thinned out, the cream of the crop showed their true colours with newcomer Hansford rubbing shoulders regulars McCord, Castle and Barber in the top 4. However, McCord’s experience shone through and dispatched with Hansford fairly swimmingly.

Barber, having done very well reaching this stage with a borrowed car also proved no match for 2006 Champion Brett Castle. This meant it was McCord vs. Castle for the final, and rookie Hansford vs. Barber for third place. 

Even in a borrowed car, Barber showed his true strength when up against Hansford and took both rounds with ease. Whether it was nerves or lack of experience, Hansford still put on a great debut performance finishing fourth for the day. 


It was in the final where the drama continued. All eyes were on the 2006 Champion Castle take on the V8 powered S15 of McCord. It was set to be an awesome battle, but unfortunately it did not happen. Castle’s entry speed into the first corner was too high and as a result became the final victim of the gravel trap on the day. This pretty much handed the win to McCord unless he made a mistake as well, but that did not happen as McCord kept his composure with both drivers putting on a great show for the second run. 

With Brett Castle returning to form taking second place after two lackluster rounds, the winner Alan McCord is now tied with third place Pete Barber for the top spot in the championship. No doubt Phil Morrison will be itching to get back into his Nissan Silvia and try to regain the top spot. Stay tuned for Round Four of the Need for Speed European Drift Championship as drifting heads to Brands Hatch on June 28th, here at ColdTrackDays! 


2009 European Drift Championship Standings: 
1. Alan McCord (Nissan S15 V8)   190pts 
1. Pete Barber (Mazda RD RX-7)   190pts 
3. Phil Morrison (Nissan S15)   160pts 
4. Mark Luney (Nissan 350Z)   155pts 
5. Brett Castle (Nissan S14A)   130pts 
6. James Russell (Nissan Skyline R32)  125pts 
7. Declan Hicks (Toyota Soarer GZ)   95pts 
8. Paul Conlan (Nissan S15 2JZ)   75pts 
9. Ian Harrison (Nissan Skyline R32)  70pts 
10. Kieran Cameron (Nissan S13)   65pts 
11. Andrew Cooper (Nissan S14A)   55pts 
12. Stewart Hansford (Nissan S13)   50pts 
13. Paul Cheshire (Nissan S15 V8)   45pts 
14. David Monaghan (Nissan Skyline R32)  40pts 
14. Gary Hughes (Nissan Skyline R32)  40pts 
16. Steve Will (BMW M3 Turbo)   30pts 
16. Robin Neeson (Toyota Chaser)   30pts 
18. Dwain Mckeever (Nissan S13)   20pts 
19. Steve Evans (Toyota Starlet)   15pts 
19. Lex Drew (Nissan Skyline R32)   15pts 
19. Keith Hammond (Nissan Skyline R32)  15pts 
19. Richard Bradley (Nissan S14)   15pts 
20. David Waterworth (Nissan S13)  15pts 
22. Rennie Morrocco (BMW E36)   10pts 

Photo/Editorial: Calvin Chu