EUROPEAN DRIFT CHAMPIONSHIP // ROUND 4 - BRANDS HATCH

Under indifferent weather conditions and stepping on new battlegrounds, Round Four of the Need for Speed European Drift Championship took place at Brands Hatch for the very first time in EDC history. A regular stage for its sister series Time Attack, the notorious shorter Indy Circuit played host to the sideways junkies of the EDC, with the likes of Graham Hill Bend through to Clark Curve as part of the drift course. With Round Three at Silverstone leaving the points standings of previous round winner Alan McCord and Pete Barber, Round Two winner on even grounds it was definitely all to play for in Round Four!... [read more]

Not quite as much drama this time round unlike at Silverstone. Kieron Cameron in his Nissan Silvia S13 did spin out during practice, but it was nothing compared to the bad luck Paul Cheshire faced in his Team Green Nissan Silvia S14. He ended up in the same gravel time out of clearways multiple times during the day, with most of them during practice. 

In addition to the debut of Brands Hatch as part of the drifting calendar were two new driver debuts for this round of the EDC – Anthony Scott and Kiyoshi Kawabata. You may remember these two drivers who are current participants of the JDM Allstars Series, another drift series which we also cover at ColdTrackDays. However, with the next round of that series in a few weeks time, both Nissan PS13 drivers were kind enough to bring their cars and talent and try their luck at taking the crown in Round Four of the EDC. 
 
And they certainly tried, with Anthony ‘Scotty’ Scott and his “Rocket Bunny” black and gold Nissan PS13 making it to the top 16 before being knocked out by series regular and runner-up of Round Two James Russell in his DCY Nissan Skyline R32. Kawabata also danced his bright red Nissan S13 around the bends of Brands Hatch before succumbing to the mighty Round One winner, Phil Morrison! 

Morrison was hampered by engine problems last time at Silverstone and unfortunately those gremlins still haven’t left his Nissan Silvia S15 yet. However, fellow Driftworks drifter Ben ‘BonBon’ Broke-Smith was kind enough to lend him his black Nissan R32 Skyline – another notorious Driftworks smoke monster. A fantastic car and brilliant driver meant Morrison cruised his way into the final four facing little competition. 

The crazy Mark Luney, his SVA Imports Nissan 350Z and his 100+mph entry speeds were more present than ever this round, with Mark Luney sharing Morrison’s good fortune and heading into the final four with ease. Experience showed as both drivers were soon pitted head-to-head for the top spot.  

After two runs where both Luney and Morrison were near inseparable, it had to go to ‘One More Time’. Battling once again, Luney managed to edge away from Morrison gaining a slight lead. However with Morrison leading both drivers performed a great run, leaving the judges issuing equal points. This meant Luney’s slight advantage in the first run handed him the win, and his first win in the series so far. His win, coupled with his consistent performance in the previous rounds meant Mark Luney now tops the standings in the EDC. Morrison takes second, a great return to form after missing last round and Pete Barber in his Mazda RX7 picked up third, again showing who’s the top rotary drifter in the series. 

On July 11th there will be more drifting action in the form of Round Five of the Need for Speed European Drift Championship, taking place at Santa Pod Raceway as part of the Rotorstock Show. We’ll be there, so stay tuned for its coverage here at ColdTrackDays! 
 
2009 European Drift Championship Standings: 
1. Mark Luney (Nissan 350Z)…                 255pts 
2. Pete Barber (Mazda RX7)…                   250pts 
3. Phil Morrison (Nissan R32)…               235pts 
4. Alan McCord (Nissan S15 V8)…           205pts 
5. Brett Castle (Nissan S15)…                    160pts 
5. James Russell (Nissan R32)…              160pts 
7. Declan Hicks (Toyota Soarer GZ20)…135pts 
8. Paul Conlan (Nissan S15 2JZ)…           125pts 
9. Kieron Cameron (Nissan S13)…           75pts 
10. Ian Harrisson (Nissan R32)…             70pts 
10. Andrew Cooper (Nissan S14A)…        70pts 
12. Stewart Hansford (Nissan S13)…        65pts 
13. Paul Cheshire (Nissan S14A)…            60pts 
14. David Monaghan (Nissan R32)…        50pts 
14. Gary Hughes (Nissan R32)…               50pts 
16. Keith Hammond (Nissan R32)…        40pts 
16. Steve Will (BMW M3)…                       40pts 
18. Steve Evans (Lexus IS200)…              30pts 
18. Robin Neeson (Toyota Chaser)…       30pts 
20. Dwain McKeever (Nissan S13)…       25pts 
21. Alexis Drew (Nissan R32)…                15pts 
21. Richard Bradley (Nissan S14)…         15pts 
21. David Waterworth (Nissan S13)…     15pts 
21. Daniel Eyles (Nissan S13)…                15pts 
21. Kiyoshi Kawabata (Nissan PS13)…   15pts 
21. Anthony Scott (Nissan PS13)…           15pts 
27. Rennie Morrocco (BMW E36)…       10pts

Photo/Editorial: Calvin Chu