Pro-Sport title protagonist and kiwi drifting ace Scott Dinsdale has labelled next month’s indoor D1NZ event as “unmissable” and is excited by the prospect of having the usual pecking order unsettled.
D1NZ surprised drifting fanatics yesterday with the unveiling of a one-off indoor event at ASB Showgrounds in Auckland on July 3 as a part of the series’ revised 2020 season calendar.
Heralded as ‘The Gauntlet’, the event marks only the second time New Zealand’s premier drifting championship has staged a round indoors following the construction of a circuit inside Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Dinsdale currently lies third in the standings and within earshot of the lead but admits the uncharacteristic indoor round will be the catalyst for some surprising results.
“I’ve personally never done an event on polished concrete before and think it will be very minimal grip and that sounds perfect to me,” said Dinsdale.
“I hate the grip racing aspect of drifting and I think it will bring the battles a lot closer, giving everybody a chance to take the top spot and put on an epic show that you won’t want to miss, especially in pro as the cars build spec range is massive.”
Dinsdale won’t be alone aboard the boat of indoor debutants come the green flag, but despite the unfamiliar nature of the round car setup will likely remain the same.
“As for prep, I will be setting the car up the same as I always do and make slight tyre pressure changes on the day.
“People get too caught up on the setup and never actually get comfortable with their car.
“I can’t wait to be honest it should be an awesome event that will show people why we love the sport and the show that we can provide.”
A maximum of 500 people will be allowed trackside attendance but the event will also be broadcast live via Sky Sport in what is expected to be the series’ most spectacular TV showing to date.
Over 200 lights are set to be installed with flame and smoke effects lighting up the course as drivers drift through, around and underneath several obstacles across three exhibition halls.
Coinciding with the ASB Showgrounds round was the announcement of the revised Grand Finale which will be contested from Pukekohe Park on July 31 – August 1.