Autoworks Drift Competition - Paris July 2011

With a 2am start, fully loaded up with the car on its trailer, christ knows how many wheels and tyres and 2 pit crew, Sharon and Steve, we left for Dover to meet the ferry and start our journey to Paris. The ferry crossing was calm and pretty quick so i was'nt long before we ported at Calais. Realising that the sat nav didnt work out of england, map in hand we worked out our route to the track. Sadly we made a few wrong turns as it appears the french dont think they need road signs at all. We eventually arrived at the track at 6pm before they had even finished setting up for the event.

Checking out the track before unloading the car gave me a shock. The track was tiny! Just one clipping point and not very technical. I prefer the bigger faster tracks and was'nt quite sure how well i'd do here with a car as big and heavy as the soarer. Only time will tell. There was no way of knowing until i got out on track on saturday and give it tester.

After seeing the track and meeting a few new faces, all that was left to do was unload the car into the pits and head back to the hotel for food, beer and sleep. It had been a very long day for all of us. Just as we were leaving Matt Campling (another english driver) turned up and pitted next to us with his pit crew Tom and Alex. We were the only 2 english competing in the competition.

After yet another late night and early start we headed back to the track for the drivers briefing to find out just how different thing would be to competing in the uk. They had decided to run the scoring the Japanese way. You start with 100 points and do your best to keep as many as you can. The first long corner alone being worth 70%. The rest was marked on the one clipping point and the transition into the finish. Only the first 12 would qualify and the rest would get to fight it out again the next day to gain the last 4 places, making it the top 16.

Practise was held in 2 half hour sessions. Strangley enough all the sessions run on perfect time! we were not used to that. Any worries i had about the track being to small for me and the car soon disappeared and my runs were flowing well. Happy with my practise, all that was left to do was give the car a quick once over before the briefing about qualifying.

Onto the qualifying and we were told we had 3 judged runs and the best 1 would be counted. Still on form all 3 of my qualifying runs were scored very highly with the best being 96.25 out of 100. This put me in 5th place overall. I was pleased with the result. Matt Campling also pulled off some fantastic runs and qualifiyed 12th. With 2 very happy British lads, we packed up and went out for a meal and a few beers (or in matt's case a bottle of wine) to celebrate.

 Sunday morning arrived and time yet again to head back to the track for the twin battles. This was the part i'd been most looking forward to. At the briefing the twin battles were announced and by sheer turn of fate, the only 2 english drivers, Matt and myself were put up against each other. Nightmare! Thats the luck of the draw i guess, you never know whats going to happen. Regardless, one of us was going to be taking the win. With both of us doing our best, Matt surprised us all and gave me a run for my money on both runs. Even though he did a great job on both runs, the judges decided i had the edge and i took the win I was then through to the top 8. Well done to Matt for his fantastic effort. Were all proud of you fella!

Next twin battle was up against Italian driver Federico Sceriffo in his Scooby. First twin battle run Federico was the lead car, managing to match his and stay close i felt confident with the run.

Second run with me to lead and Federico to follow. Again there was nothing in it. The judges, Team Orange, called a one more time! We lined up again. When the flag went down Federico didnt move, by the time i looked across to see why he was sat there he launched away, also knowing i needed the traction he kept slowing right down all the way along the start straight. Needless to say i knew my battle was over. Still trying my best sadly the win was awarded to Federico. Just a shame it was'nt won honestly!
 My day was over so i just watched the rest of the drifting with the rest of the team and team Dorihero.

At the end of the day Team Orange were doing some displsys and a bit of twinning round the track. I deceided to line up and go out for a chase down. Thats my little claim to fame. Matt also went out and had a play with them and couldnt stop smiling!

Going to Paris was a good experience for me and i totally enjoyed it. Thanks to my sponsor Sharon from Carbon Copy and team mate Steve Whitbread for making the journey with me and being my pit crew. Also thanks to Matt Campling and the rest of team Dorihero who kept us all amused all weekend!