JDM ALL-STARS // FINAL ROUND @ SILVERSTONE

Drifting returns to Silverstone as the final round of the JDM Allstars Triple Crown Series takes place alongside the annual TRAX Car Show. The last round at Wembley saw Dan Chapman end Remmo Niezen’s winning streak, taking first place with Paul Vlasblom taking second and Remmo in third. Nevertheless, the mighty Dutchman was still at the top of the championship standings thanks to his wins in the first two rounds and was definitely eager to take the crown in this final round... [read more]

The battles from 16 to 8 threw up no surprises. The two Dutchmen Remmo Niezen and Paul Vlasblom, as well as Dan Chapman shot down their opponents with ease and cruised into the semi-finals. The same went for EDC veterans Phil Morrison and Pete Barber, both dispensing with their competitors quickly. 

Kawabata-san unfortunately couldn’t be at the final round so his red Nissan Silvia S13 was piloted by Walton Smith. He faced mighty competition from Declan Munnely who was here in his green Ford Escort. Known for not letting his foot come off the accelerator, Munnely certainly showed his pedigree and dispatched with Smith moving into the semi-finals.

Declan Hicks in his Toyota Soarer also fended off fellow EDC participant James Russell in his DCY Skyline. And Olaf Commijs turned up in a new Nissan 350Z with a rather large wing on the back. Wing or otherwise, Olaf rounded off the top 8 for the semi-finals. 
 
The semi-finals got off to an interesting start, with Pete Barber having problems with his Mazda RX7. That couldn’t be fixed within the five minute rule, which handed Remmo Niezen a free pass into the final four. Next, Declan Munnely was up against Phil Morrison and his black Nissan Silvia S15. Morrison stuck as close as he could to the little Escort, and after some exceptional drifting Phil was deemed the winner.

Echoing back to the Wembley final, Dan Chapman’s S13 and Paul Vlasblom’s BMW M3 Touring met again in Silverstone. Both drivers drifted very well, however Chapman made a few mistakes and did cut across the grass on the final turn, which let Vlasblom through. Olaf Commijs and Declan Hicks were the last to duel. Olaf showed no quarter and reeled Declan in to the point of overtaking right at the end. And when Olaf was leading Declan couldn’t keep up with the 350Z. Olaf completed the final four. 

While Olaf made it into the top four it was not for long until Paul Vlasblom knocked him out. Olaf put up a good fight but when chasing Vlasblom he went a little too wide, losing some distance on Vlasblom and also kicking up a bit of gravel on the side. That left Remmo Niezen and his Falken BMW M3 V8 to take on Phil Morrison. The few runs were very close, and it had to go to one more time. However it was Morrison who was the victor and was able to get right up close to Remmo on the final bend. Remmo simply couldn’t match this proximity when it was his turn to chase. 

Which left Phil Morrison to go up against Paul Vlasblom for the final, and Olaf Commijs and Remmo Niezen to contend for third place. Olaf and his 350Z were mighty impressive in this battle, and managed to overtake Remmo completely. Remmo tried his best to repeat this in the second run but just couldn’t catch up to the 350Z handing Olaf Commijs third place. 

Phil Morrison and Paul Vlasblom put on a great show as both drivers showed some exceptional drifting for the final battle. However it was Morrison who got in too close to Vlasblom and caught his front bumper on his tow hook. This led to Morrison spinning out and pretty much handing the victory over to Vlasblom.

So congratulations to Paul Vlasblom taking first place at the final round of the series, with Phil Morrison taking second and Olaf Commijs on third.

What does this mean for the championship? Even with a fourth place finish, Remmo Niezen had enough of a lead to take the top spot. Dan Chapman takes second, and Paul Vlasblom takes third. So a big congratulations to Remmo Niezen from ColdTrackDays, winner of the 2009 JDM Allstars Triple Crown Series! Here’s to another smoke filled season for 2010!

Photo/Editorial: Calvin Chu