Ever since the first World Time Attack Challenge, Drifting has been a part of the show, from a lunchtime expression session in 2010, to now a full-on international competition, with famous drifting names coming from New Zealand and Japan to put on a smoke show.
Each year, drifting seems to become bigger, with expression sessions and special builds making the trip to Sydney just for show, and not even to compete. There are plenty of spectators who just attend to see the International Drifting Cup, I’m sure.
Daigo Saito would make another trip down under, and this time would be behind the wheel of his infamous methanol drinking 2JZ powered Toyota JZX100. Whenever I think of Daigo Saito, this is the car I think of, so it was awesome to see him in such an iconic machine. Also from the birthplace of drifting, Masashi Yokoi would debut his beautiful 1000hp 2JZ swapped S14.
From across the Tasman, four drivers would take on the challenge of beating Australia’s best. 19-year-old D1NZ champion Kase Pullen-Burry would be one young gun to watch, and a favourite to win. Pro Drifter Shaun Potroz with a cult New Zealand following would also make the journey, competing in his S15 with again, a 2JZ producing almost 1000hp, as Jaron Olivecrona would show off his twin turbo V12 Lexus RC-F in screaming fashion. Mad Mike Whiddett always brings something special, this time using his 4-rotor Pikes Peak Hillclimb Mazda 3 in the International Drifting Cup contest.
Rather than conventional lead run qualifying, the drifters would be split into four ‘Pools’ of six. Each driver would battle everyone in their respected pools, scoring two points for a win, one point for a draw (instead of a ‘One More Time’ battle) and zero for a loss. The top two points scorers from each pool would transfer to the Top 8 battle tree.
As is common at Sydney Motorsport Park, the wind died down during the night, causing the smoke to sit on the track, with the decreased visibility adding an extra challenge for the drivers. Daigo Saito unfortunately wouldn’t battle in his Toyota JZX100, instead tag teaming with Michael Ginn in his JZX90. This wouldn’t really go to plan either, as two points of contact would be made when battling Shaun Potroz, sending both cars into the gravel with damaged front bumpers and more.
The Pool battles would continue into Saturday night competition, where wind pushed the smoke away and we would see the formation of the Top 8. Reigning Drifting Cup winner Luke Veersma and fellow Aussie Young Gun Saxon Moyes would graduate from Pool A, last year’s runner up Matt Harvey would advance alongside Alex Sciacca from Pool B, Masashi Yokoi would be the only international to make it to the Top 8, as Rob Whyte joined from Pool C and finally, Brodie Maher and Matty Hill would join the rest from Pool D.
Rob Whyte would have some exciting battles on his journey into the Top 8, before falling victim to Australian champion Brodie Maher, as Saxon Moyes would stick like glue to the favourite to win, Matt Harvey. Luke Veersma would do the same to Alex Sciacca as Matty Hill would let off the gas against Masashi Yokoi handing him the win.
And then there were four. It was an incredibly close battle between Brodie Maher and Luke Veersma, but a slight mistake from the Western Australian in the switchback gave the win to Maher.
Arguably even closer was the battle between Masashi Yokoi and Saxon Moyes. Three-time D1GP champion Yokoi would call for a five-minute mechanical before the second run, with the judges afterwards calling for a One-More-Time battle. During Yokoi’s second lead run, the bonnet on his S14 would flip open, as neither driver lifted through the debris before Yokoi drifting onto the grass at the end of the lap.
Moyes would claim the golden ticket to battle Brodie Maher in the final battle. Saxon Moyes in the Toyota 86 wouldn’t let Brodie Maher run away like others before him, and instead would create a gap between him and Maher in his lead run.
The Garret International Drifting Cup seems to create new drifting stars, last year with Luke Veersma and now again as young Saxon Moyes would take the victory adding his name to an illustrious list. Brodie Maher would have to settle for second, making the Top 4 two years running. Luke Veersma would beat Masashi Yokoi through points to claim third, capping off a thrilling end to another action-packed World Time Attack Challenge.