The return of Red Bull Drift Shifters is all set to take on the larger Quay Street, Auckland location on Saturday, December 6, 2014, at 11am. This year will also see an increase in the number of competitors from both New Zealand and abroad. Best of all the event is free for everybody. We’ve got our hands on a list of confirmed drivers so far below:
New Zealand
‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett — RX-7/RX-8
‘Fanga’ Dan Woolhouse — Holden VE Commodore
Andrew Redward — Mazda FC3S RX-7
Gaz Whiter — Nissan Silvia S14
Curt Whittaker — Nissan Skyline R34
Daynom Templeman — Mazda FD3S RX-7
Nico Reid — Nissan Silvia S15
Cole Armstrong — Nissan Skyline 250GT
Darren Kelly — Nissan Skyline R34
USA
Chris Forsberg — Nissan 370Z
Ryan Tuerck — Scion FRS
Matt Powers — Nissan Silvia S14
Tyler McQuarrie — Chevrolet Camaro
Australia
Jake Jones — Nissan Silvia S13
Japan
Daigo Saito — Lexus IS250
Ken Nomura (Nomuken) — Nissan Skyline R34
If some of the international names are a bit unfamiliar, we’ve compiled a bunch of videos to get you up to speed on their pedigree!
Ken Nomura (Nomuken) — Nissan Skyline R34
Piloting his classic R34 Skyline, Nomuken is regarded as the comedian of the Japanese drift scene, and an icon for many drifters out today.
Here’s a short clip of him drifting:
And a much longer one that explains the comedic factor!
Tyler McQuarrie — Chevrolet Camaro
Tyler McQuarrie has got a history in Nascar, touring cars, and now drifting, and will be one to watch in his LS7-powered Chevrolet Camaro, which produces 529kW.
Jake Jones — Nissan Silvia S13
After previously drifting in the D1NZ championship a few seasons back, the ‘DriftSquid’ returns to New Zealand in his RB-powered S13. Here’s a sweet little in-car shot of him coming down the front straight of Sydney Motorsport Park.
Chris Forsberg — Nissan 370Z
Heading over after just having won the Formula Drift championship, Chris Forsberg looks to be a hot contender for the trophy in his LS-powered Nissan 370z. Here’s a clip of him getting his door ripped off and yet still remaining unfazed by the competition.
Ryan Tuerck — Scion FRS
A fan favourite and all-round cool dude, Ryan Tuerck runs a colourful Scion FRS also known as a Toyota 86. Check out the video below showing off some of his talents in his ‘Texas Shootout’.
Matt Powers — Nissan Silvia S14
After a break from professional drifting over the past year, Matt Powers is returning to the scene at Drift Shifters in his V8-powered Nissan S14. He won the last round of Drift Shifters so no doubt he’s hoping to come back and maintain his title as king. Here’s a clip of him throwing a 360 mid drift at All Star Bash.
Daigo Saito — Lexus IS250
Daigo Saito is regarded as easily one of the world’s greatest drifters, and that makes him a hot contender to take out the competition. From his wide variety of vehicles he could choose from, he has selected his Formula Drift Asia car to compete in — the Lexus IS250.
