Drifters delight the crowds at Carnival City
Over 3 500 petrol heads were treated to two days (June 30 to July 1) of world class competitive drifting as 35 professional drivers competed for the top spot and for championship points.
Some of southern Africa’s top drifters descended on Carnival City over the weekend for a high-horsepower, tyre-smoking weekend like no other.
The third round of Motorsport South Africa’s national drift series, SupaDrift, was certainly one for the books.
Over 3 500 petrol heads were treated to two days (June 30 to July 1) of world class competitive drifting as 35 professional drivers competed for the top spot and for championship points.
Athletes from as far as Cape Town and Mozambique fired up their fully customized, high-powered drift machines on Friday morning for official practice.
Drivers had until Saturday morning to perfect the SupaDrift track before their qualification runs in front of the judges decided whether they had advanced to the Top 16 and the final tandem eliminations.
The lunchtime break saw something a little different with the addition of the Barrel Sprint – a timed trail race around a custom course, to introduce the concept of Gymkhana to the local drivers.
The winner of the Barrel Sprint received the coveted golden ticket to the international Gymkhana Grid event in November where they will compete against international drivers like Ken Block and Luke Woodham.
The precious tickets went to Dez Gutzeit in the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) class and Paolo Gouveia in the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) class.
It was, however, Jason Webb who stole the show as he powered his “Monstang” (Monster Energy Roush Mustang) to victory in its debut performance at SupaDrift.
Fans at Carnival City experienced what Webb called “a fairy tale weekend”.
Webb was up to speed in no time and was able to put down a run that saw the judges award him the number one position in qualifications. From the moment the elimination battles started it had all come together for Webb and his team. They powered their way through the rounds of 16 and four.
Webb met Jim Mc Farlane in the semi-finals for what was the Battle of the Day.
It was almost too close to call, but the judges gave it to Webb for his impeccable line choice during the battle.
Paolo Gouveia met Webb in the finals and put together some impressive runs, but the latter showed why he is a double South African drift champion.
After missing the first two SupaDrift events, this convincing win puts Webb solidly in the championship point’s rankings and in a great space as he heads into round four at Scribante Raceway in Port Elizabeth on July 28 and July 29.
“I cannot tell you how good it feels to have taken the win. My team has worked so hard on the car to get it to where it is today.
I just can’t thank everyone enough, but to reward them with a win is the best way to do it. The car felt unbelievable and I couldn’t believe how controllable it was and the degree of angle it could develop. Thank you to the other drivers, you guys really made me work for it,” said Webb.
He added that the level of driving on the weekend was of a standard he has never experienced before and it made the win feel that extra bit special.
He enjoyed each and every tandem and the guys who pushed him to drive as hard as he could.
• Results from SupaDrift 3, main event eliminations: 1 Jason Webb, 2 Paolo Gouveia, 3 Jim McFarlane. Driver of the Day: Eric “The Viking” van Eyssen. Golden ticket winners: AWD: Dez Gutzeit. RWD: Paolo Gouveia.
Also read:
WATCH: Drifting jackpot at Carnival
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