dinsdag, september 18, 2007

Pro Drift round 6 @ Rosegreen

This weekend I will travel again to Dublin. Pro Drift invited me again as Judge @ Rosegreen. I never was at Rosegreen before, but I heard good story's about this exiting oval track. Really looking forward to see my Irish friends again and offcourse I can't wait to the the suburb quality's of the Irisch drifters in action!

maandag, augustus 13, 2007

round 5 Pro Drift @ Mondello

This weekend Pro Drift will have his 5th round of the season at Mondello Park. I will be there as one of the three judges. On Friday I will go by plane from Eindhoven to Dublin. I will be my first visit to a Pro Drift round in Ireland and I really looking forward to it. Also Andy Jaenen will be there and hopefully DriftAngel Deborah will drift there too. I will brief next Monday about this trip.

woensdag, juli 04, 2007

Instruction day at Zandvoort Netherlands

This Friday 6 of July I'm asked to be instructor at the famous racetrack Zandvoort. Together with my good friend Andy Jaenen we will be there to give tuition. I will give tuition in ideal line, steering techniques, breakingpoints and car handling in general.

zondag, juli 01, 2007

12th International Tuning Show @ Ciney

This weekend Xtreme Drift is represented by:
Deborah Lopez, Berend van Berkel, Vernon Zwanenveld, Jan Wouters and me offcourse. Unfortunatly I'm way to busy, so I asked my good friend Vernon Zwanenveld to drive the red Skyline.

woensdag, juni 20, 2007

new engine for the Carperformance Skyline

Due to a broken oil pump last weekend the engine blew up during the practice for Japan vs. Germany Battle. Carperformance decided to buy a new engine, a RB26. This engine has 2 turbo's and Carperformance will built this engine into the Skyline after the demo's at International Tuningshow in Ciney Expo. The specs of this engine will folow.

Since mondag I am at Circuit Zolder where we have 4 day's in a row a driftincentive. Every day we have to take about 50 people into the drifttaxi. We have great fun! Xtreme Drift invited also Tim Tatje, Jo Lammens and Vincent van Hamme.

This Friday we have driftschool again at Circuit Zolder, so a busy drifting week!

maandag, juni 11, 2007

Again bad luck!

And again I had bad luck. Last weekend during the drifting at Autovisie Time Attack the organisation decided to give the third place away, instead of let me drift the Battle for Third and this time the judges made a mistake and give me 86 points instead of the well deserved 96 points! After the Japan vs. Germany the judges appoligised for the mistake, but offcourse to late and I had invited some interested sponsors.

On Saturday the bearings were gone in the red Carperformance Skyline and lucky enough Carperformance worked the whole evening at the green Stickerland Skyline, so I was capable to drift the Stickerland Skyline with the injectors from the Carperformance Skyline. Anyway, for the Battle of 32 I won the first battle from Berend van Berkel. For the 1/8 finale I had to battle with Kees Kok, but the engine was running on 5 cylinders, so I had to back off. A pity, because Kees never won from me.......

The event was great, super track, fantastic show by the foreign drifters from Pro Drift, a big crowd and very nice atmosphere. At the end of the day I did about 20 drifttaxi tickets and also 2 young kids, which was really good fun. It's great to bring so much happyness with my hobby!

zaterdag, juni 09, 2007

Japan vs. Germany, Twin Drift Battle at Circuit Zolder

This Sunday 10th of June I we the GO FAST X-days at Circuit Zolder in Belgium. This event has no noise limit! There is a lot of interest for this great event. All topstuntdrivers from Europe are present and offcourse XD will provide Europe's finest drifters. Offcourse I will take part such an event with the Carperformance Skyline.

XTREME DRIFT @ X-DAYS Circuit Zolder :
Teams can enter paddock from Saturday morning 10 AM

SATURDAY FREE PRACTICE from 3 PM till 6 PM
SUNDAY PROGRAMM:
FP = Free Practice
QUAL = Qualification
TAXI = Drift Taxi & free drifting

9u30 DRIVERS BRIEFING at the track!!!
10u VT GERMAN CARS
10u10 VT JAPAN 1 (S13 – S14 – S15 – 350Z – WRX) + 2 GERMAN CARS Roel Bongaerts en Marc van Ocken
10u20 VT JAPAN 2 (Skyline – AE86 – Supra)
10u30 VT GERMAN
10u40 VT JAPAN 1
10u50 VT JAPAN 2
11u QUAL GERMAN CARS (1 warm up lap & 2 runs : best run counts)
11u30 QUAL JAPAN 1
12u00 QUAL JAPAN 2
12u30 TAXI GERMAN CARS
12u40 TAXI JAPAN 1
12u50 TAXI JAPAN 2
13u presentation finalisten top 4 German vs top 4 Japanese cars
13u15 Top 4 GERMAN CARS vs Top 4 JAPANESE CARS

14u TAXI All cars (max 8 cars on track)
15u XD TOP 32 TWIN DRIFT BATTLE
17u TAXI All cars (max 8 cars on track)
18u END

final entrylist
Belgium

1.Jo Lammens, M Power BMW M3 (BE)
2.Peter van Geert, M Power BMW M3 (BE)
3.Pieter van Hoorick, M Power BMW M3 (BE)
4.Marc van Ocken, Driftschool BMW 325i (BE)
5.Vincent van Hamme M Power M3 (BEL)
6.Deborah Lopez, Fandango Nissan S15 (BE)
7.Joep de Kort, IMT Skyline (BE)
8.Jan Wouters, AVB Sports Nissan S13 (BE)
9.Ronald Moons, DriftdepartmentNissan S13 (BE)

Holland
10.Mike de Bruijn, Autozone BMW 328i (NL)
11.Tim Tatje, Autosportcompany BMW GTR 335i turbo (NL)
12.Berend van Berkel, Flexaforte BMW M3 (NL) (HUIDIGE NR 1 XD)
13.Kees Kok, Kok Transport BMW M3 (NL)
14.Marco Kok, Kok Transport BMW 325i (NL)
15.Roel Bongaerts, BMW M3 (NL)
16.Jack Dam, BMW M3 (NL)
17.Vincent Cramer Driftreport BMW 325i (NL)
18.Vernon Zwanenveld, Flexaforte AE86 (NL)
19.Jasper Spaan, Driftparts Nissan S13 (NL)
20.WJ Dijkstra, Nissan S13 RB25 (NL)
21.Olaf Commijs, Falken Nissan 350 Z (NL)
22.Jos Bruin, Profile Skyline (NL)
23.Leen Bruin, Profile Skyline (NL)
24.Lennard Wanders, Falken Skyline R34 (NL)
25.Bas Plugge, Grafix Nissan S13 (NL)
26.Jancho van Abel, Driftcursus Subaru WRX (NL)

Italy
27.Miguel Marini, Toyota Supra (It)

Norway
28.Kenneth Moen, Skyline R34 (NO)

Ireland
29.Shane O'healy, Nissan S15 (IRL)
30.Darren McManamara, Toyota AE86 (IRL)

United Kingdom
31.Julian Smith, Skyline R32 (UK)
32.Buttsy, Skyline R34 (UK)

dinsdag, juni 05, 2007

Results Autovisie Time Attack

Last Sunday Carperformance joined the Autovisie Time Attack with the IMT Skyline. Unfortunatly without the new injectors so with 350 BHP and 1300 kg, I get me a new target:
2.00 sec instead of 1.55 sec per lap. We changed the set up; very agressive camber in the front and more caster + 3 degrees camber at the back which is normaly 0 degrees for drifting.

During the warm up the car felt very stabile and the new brakes were great with 2.05 as fastest time. We had some problems with the noise and also 7000 RPM was to much for the standard injectors, so we put the ref limiter on 6250 RPM. Actually very funny, organising a Time Attack and politcial Netherlands puts the max DBa at 89! Anyway, the solution was to lift the gas a few seconds after the turn "Bos uit". I won 3 seconds at the turn "Scheivlak", but lost 4 seconds at the straight at start-finish, so a 2.06 was the maximum. This results means the 10th place in the most competive division called Pro non Street and we were quit happy.

There was also drifting for NL Invitationals. A fifth place in qualification, an easy battle in the 1/4 final, some damage at the car because a drifter hit me during the warm-up lap in the 1/2 final and funny enough no chance to battle against Kees Kok for the 3rd place. The organisation decided to give Kees Kok the 3rd place. Anyway, the Time Attack was great and the drifting was a nice extra.

We had good fun, the crowd and the press loved the IMT Skyline, lot's of new contacts and 4 potential new sponsors and also very important, the car is getting better and better, had become very reliable, so we are ready for probaly one of the best driftevents this year, the Japan vs. Germany battle at Zolder during the GO FAST X-days at the 10th of June.

maandag, mei 28, 2007

report Tuner GP

Fridaynight 02.00 a.m
I'm sleeping in a Hotel in Hockenheim, arranged everything for this event, took 2 days off, invited sponsors, friend and family, but 1 simple telephone call changed everything, because the couldn't load the car. I'm awake at 0600 a.m and wondering myself, I'm dreaming? I call Carperformance and indeed, the car is not loaded. What can I say or do?

Anyway, the event......a big crowd and a nice location, that's it, the rest was really bad.

Although:
the top 16 had 12 Xtreme Drifters and in the 1/4 final, XD had 6 drifters and the winner is Remmo Niezen, so at the end as a promotor I'm very proud, but as a drifter I'm very very dissapointed.

I have to focus myself on 3rd of June for the Time Attack and Drift Event at Zandvoort and offcourse the Japan vs. Germany Battle at 10th of June during the X-days at Circuit Zolder.

zaterdag, mei 19, 2007

Relaxed weekend!

Today we (Judith, Meike and Joep) we go to Tim and Armanda together with John and Danielle Speet and their kids. Tim has a yachtharbour in Nieuwkoop and he has invitend us for a nice day of sailing. Tim is also known as a drifter with his very nice BMW GTR 3.5T and there is a good chance that Joep has to battle with him next weekend during the TunerGP. Will be good!

donderdag, mei 17, 2007

Ready for Tuner GP 2007

Next weekend will be a busy one! On Friday 25 th of May the driftschool with 24 students and after the driftschool at Circuit Zolder straight to Hockenheim for the show and shine driftchallenge at Hockenheim on Saturday the 26th. It will be my first time overthere and what I heard about it is not much tracktime, a big crowd and a friendly atmosphere. We will see!


A lot of Xtreme Drifters will go a well and also a lot of Pro Drifters.


The full list of drifters:
http://www.sportauto-online.de/hps/img/hxmedia//mpsspa/2007/05/0kzJk6AH5y_M1M.pdf

Pro Drift round 1:
BE Joep de Kort
IE Darren McNamara
UK Julian Smith
NO Kenneth Moen
IE Shane Healy
IE Alan Lenihan
PL Maciej Polody
IE Derek Butler
IT Miguel Marini
IE Eric O Sullivan
IE Damien Mulvey
BE Deborah Lopez
NL Lennard Wander
FR Tony Jouin
NL Olaf Commijs


IDC
NL Mike de Bruijn
NL Tim Tatje
NL Kees Kok
NL Bas Plugge
CH Andreas Distel
LU Yves Faber
NL Remmo Niezen


EDC
NL Paul Vlasblom

maandag, mei 07, 2007

prive kalender van de Action Man mei en juni

8 mei: 24 personen Driftkart Incentive Kartbaan Tilburg de Voltage
10 mei: Business to Business kart event: briefing verzorgen en deelname
11 mei: Nascar Experience Speedway Warneton met 6 drifters
13 mei: Papenburg, officieel Mercedes Benz testcircuit, voor afname Driftlicenties en verzorgen prive-les
25: Driftschool #5 Circuit Zolder als instructeur
26 mei: Hockenheim, deelname aan Tuner GP met Pro Drift, Joep vertegenwoordigd Belgie
3 juni: Autovisie Time Attack en Drift Battles op Circuit Zandvoort
10 juni: Go Fast X-days, diverse driftdemo's op Circuit Zolder
17 juni: XD Japan vs. Germany driftbattle in Mechelen, 8 top Duitse driftwagens tegen 8 top Japanse driftwagens

Druk, druk, druk :)

videoverslag round 2 by Eurosport

check this out: een 45 minuten durend verslag van round 2 Xtreme Drift op Circuit Zolder:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid627028697

donderdag, mei 03, 2007

prima resultaat round 2 XD




Het was spijtig dat de rode IMT Skyline pas zaterdagavond op het circuit arriveerde en dat op zondagochtend door een technisch mankement er niet getraind kon worden, want anders had er een betere kwalificatie ingezeten. Op vrijdag had ik getraind in de groene Stickerland Skyline van van mijn schatje Judith, txs Juut! Judith deed voor het eerst mee en dat deed ze heel verdienstelijk. Afijn, nu moest ik vrijwel zonder training aan de kwalificatie beginnen (slechts 1 run) en helaas spinde ik. De jury zei nog dat een top 3 en wellicht een top 1 notering zo maar had gekund, maar nu moest ik vanuit de Semi Pro Class battle me zien te plaatsen voor de Pro Class Battle. Heel bijzonder was dat mijn beste kameraad Andre Janssens (een profbokser die weet wat presteren onder druk is) precies op tijd naast me stond voor aanvang van de 1ste battle tegen Tim Knoop. Daarna was Marco Kok aan de beurt en vervolgens moest ik nog winnen van Jan Wouters, hetgeen ook lukt. Het waren stuk voor stuk prachtige battles met wederzijds respect; ik heb er enorm van genoten. In de 1ste battle van de Pro Class moest ik tegen Remmo Niezen, een strijd die gelijk opging met zelfs een licht voordeel voor mij, maar ik traptre in een kunstje van Remmo (hij blijf naast me rijden bij de start waardoor ik de drift niet kon inzetten en ik dacht dat ie een gaatje liet in de snelste bocht, maar hij kapte ineens naar binnen en het zit niet in mijn aard om dan de auto te laten staan). Hierdoor spinde ik, maar ik had me voorgenomen om de 4de run hem ook te laten spinnen, maar door een lek in het koelsysteem, moest ik helaas, ter beschrming van de motor, opgeven. Al met al was ik toch zeer tevreden en mijn tijd komt hopelijk nog wel dit seizoen. Mijn felicitaties gaan naar Berend van Berkel en Frank van Heeren; super gereden!

het officiele wedstrijdverslag:

Xtreme Drift 2007 : Round 2 Circuit Zolder @ RACE WARS
Na de succesvolle seizoensstart in Venray waren we deze keer te gast op Circuit Zolder. Voor een massa publiek (ruim 20.000) werden de driftbattles uitgevochten op een zonovergoten circuit. Er werd een attractief parkoers uitgezet op de paddock terreinen. Race Wars kreeg dankzij Xtreme Drift een nieuwe dimensie. Er werd gestreden op het scherpst van de snee. De overwinning was voor Berend Van Berkel met zijn Flexaforte BMW M3 die met deze zege ook de leiding neemt in het kampioenschap.

XTREME DRIFT Kwalificaties :
Op vraag van de geluidsverantwoordelijke van Circuit Zolder werd de hele dag afgewerkt op een kunstmatig natgehouden parkoers. Tijdens de kwalificaties stak Remmo Niezen er weer met kop en schouder boven uit. Met een score van 98 zette hij een vrijwel perfect parkoers neer. Hij werd gevolgd door Vernon Zwaneveld, Berend Van Berkel, Lennard Wander, Frank Van Heeren en de verrassende Marc Vissers. Super was ook de kwalificatie van Marco Kok, de 17 jarige rijder die zich als clubman op de 7de plaats kwalificeerde met dezelfde score als zijn vader, de vice kampioen van 2006 Kees Kok.

XTREME DRIFT Clubman Battle :
Marco kok werd dankzij zijn battles bij de clubman de grote publiekslieveling. De manier waarop hij Alex Swart en Olivier Colisis uitschakelde gaf teken van een grote maturiteit van deze youngster. De ander held die doorstootte naar de Semi Pro battle was Janscho Van Abel met de autoreus Subaru Impreza nadat Vincent Van Leeuwen spinde. Anderen die ook wel een battle wonnen maar niet konden doorstoten waren Jo Lammens, Alex Swart(die een re-run nodig had tegen onze senior Frits Bikkers), Olivier Colisis, Vincent Cramer en ex-speedway rijder Roel Bongaerts. Werk aan de winkel is er nog voor Nico Baelen, Andre en Leen Bruin, Regis Glorieux, Youri Das en Judith De Kort.

XTREME DRIFT Semi Pro Battle :
In deze competitie waren Joep De Kort en Janscho Van Abel de grote winnaars. Joep schakelde met de IMT Skyline vervolgens Tim Knoop, publiekslieveling Marco Kok en journalist Jan Wouters uit, terwijl Janscho Van Abel met overwinningen op top rijders Mike De Bruyn, Marc Van Ocken en Jochen Van den Bergh door ging naar de XD Pro Battle nadat hij maar liefst 6 battles na mekaar won.
Jan Wouters en Jochen Van den Bergh wonnen elk 2 battles terwijl Timo Wagenaar; Marc Van Ocken en Joey Van den Hoogen elk 1 battle wonnen. Snel afgelopen was het voor Ronald Moons, Tim Knoop, Jos Bruin, Vincent Vanhamme, Mike De Bruyn, Martin Fahrni, Andreas Distel en Deborah Lopez.

XTREME DRIFT PRO BATTLE :
Dit is waar iedereen voor gekomen was. De strijd der titanen in de Zolderse arena. Eerst was er de finale avant la lettre tussen Remmo Niezen en Joep De Kort. In de eerste twee runs was het heel gelijk opgaand. Tijdens de re-run spinde Joep en moest hij forfait geven voor de laatste run omwille van een lekkende radiator. Tim Tatje bood veel weerwerk aan WJ Dijkstra maar een spin maakte aan zijn schitterend debuut met de Compact een einde. Lennard Wander won de eerste run tegen Jasper Spaan, de revelatie van de eerste wedstrijd in Venray, maar kampte met een enorm onderstuur tijdens de tweede run waardoor Jasper verder kon. De Nissan van Frank Van Heeren gaat steeds beter. Dat mocht Jack Dam ondervinden. Vernon Zwaneveld had zijn handen vol met Janscho Van Abel maar slaagde er toch in om deze man in vorm te verslaan. Kees Kok nam de maat van Peter Van Geert net zoals Berend Van Berkel Pieter Van Hoorick versloeg. Bas Plugge stak op een schitterende manier Mark Vissers voorbij die in de lange linkse veel te wijd ging.
De kwartfinales kwamen eraan, en die deden ondanks de natte piste veel stof opwaaien. Eerst was er de letterlijk klapper tussen Remmo Niezen en WJ Dijkstra. In de eerste run was er een licht voordeel voor Remmo. Deze zou aan een licht aanvallende run voldoende gehad hebben om door te stoten naar de halve finale. Hij ging er echter 200% voor, wierp zich naast de Nissan van WJ maar raakte hem bij het inhaalmanoeuvre wat duidelijk niet mag. Exit dus voor Niezen. WJ revancheerde zich nog onnodig maar het verdict was reeds gevallen.
Frank Van Heeren zette Jasper Spaan op het verkeerde been. Spaan verslikte zich een beetje, viel dood en het was over en out voor de gele Nissan.
De volgende ophefmakende battle was deze tussen Kees Kok en Vernon Zwaneveld. Om tot een beslissing te komen waren hier ook 4 runs nodig. Kees Kok Maakte de fout om 2 keer naast Vernon te blijven rijden zodat deze geblokkeerd werd en zijn drift niet behoorlijk kon inzetten. Hij werd hiervoor bestraft na een overleg van de jury en Vernon Zwaneveld ging door naar de halve finales.
Berend Van Berkel was een maat te sterk voor Bas Plugge die het na pech op vrijdag niet met de Nissan S13, maar met een bij Tim Tatje geleende BMW 325 moest stellen.
Eerste halve finale tussen WJ Dijkstra en Frank Van Heeren liep gelijk op. Frank speelde het heel verstandig en kon zich opmaken voor zijn eerste finale. Berend Van Berkel had licht de bovenhand op Vernon Zwaneveld en ging ook naar zijn eerste finale. Zwaneveld versloeg Dijkstra voor de derde plaats terwijl de finale tussen Van Berkel en Van Heeren een echte thriller werd. Er waren maar liefst 6 runs nodig om deze twee berekende rijders te onderscheiden.
Overwinning dus voor Berend Van Berkel die hiermee ook de leiding neemt in het kampioenschap.

Xtreme Drift : Powered by StreetTuner & Flexaforte
Foto’s Brecht De Cancq en Thomas Nulens.

dinsdag, april 10, 2007

Driftshow Raceway Venray report

Stralend zonnetje, 8 gemotiveerde rijders, iedereen op tidj :), een hoop driftfans, kortom alle ingredienten voor een leuk dagje waren aanwezig. De speedway wedstrijden waren ook een genot om te zien en er was erg veel volk, we schatten rond de 7000 bezoekers. Om 2 uur deden we onze 1ste demo. We konden niet oefenen en we moesten ook nog eens de tegengestelde richting inrijden. We verdeelden de groep in 2 groepen van 4. Ik was kopman van groep 2 en Mike de Bruijn was kopman van groep 1. Het publiek reageerde erg enthousiast, applaus en duimen omhoog. Het echte driften konden we nog niet laten zien, de battles en het pendelen waren nog niet om aan te zien. Na de demo stond onze driftstand helemaal vol met mensen, handtekeningen werden uitgedeeld, op de foto, niet normaal. Dit had ik alleen nog maar meegemaakt in Zuid Belgie, Hongarije en Luxemburg, maar het kan dus ook in Nederland. Heel veel gesprekkken gehad, heel veel vragen beantwoord, kortom helemaal goed voor de driftsport.
De 2de demo gingen de 4 snelste in een groep om het twin driften te promoten. Persoonlijk heb ik heerlijk gedrift met Vernon Zwanenveld, maar Frank van Heeren ging ook helemaal super met Jasper Spaan en Mike de Bruijn. Groot respect ook voor Roel Bognaerts die in zijn 1ste demo echt voor de leeuwen werd gegooid en zich er goed doorheen heeft geslagen. Helaas deed Berend van Berkel uit voorzorg niet me met de 2de demo, want zijn M3 liep niet lekker. Ook Deborah Lopez ging erg goed, mooie hoek en veel rook! Fernando Gerts zorgde goed voor ons Debke!
Na de laatste demo allemaal de kantine in gedoken en nog de nodige pinten gearresteerd. Kortom, zeer geslaagd en wij bedanken Harry Maessen van Raceway Venray wederom voor het vertrouwen.

woensdag, april 04, 2007

Eastern Demo's at Raceway Venray

This Monaday we will do 2 demo's during the very attractive Eastern Races at Raceway Venray. Invited drifters:
- Jasper Spaan
- Vernon Zwanenveld
- Frank van Heeren
- Deborah Lopez,
- Berend van Berkel
- Roel Bongaerts
- Mike de Bruijn
- Lennard Wander
- Joep de Kort

Around 2 pm and around 6.30 pm all cars together will do a demo for about 10 minutes.

dinsdag, april 03, 2007

demo's in Hongarian with DriftAngel Deborah Lopez




Last weekend we went to Hongarian for 4 demo's and 2 hours drifttaxi. We were picked up by a 12mtr Hummer limo from the airport! The atmosphere was fantastic, the crowd went really crazy. There was a lot of interest from the Hungarian and Roemenian National TV.

vrijdag, februari 23, 2007

this weekend demo's at Mons Tuning Show

This Sunday the IMT Skyline will do 3 demo's at the Mons Tuning Show together with 3 other XD drifters: Vernon Zwanenveld (Flexaforte AE86), Drift Angel (IMT S15) and Mike "Driftdude"de Bruijn in the JJ Motorsport M3. The space is not to big, but the demo's will be done in pairs, so action guaranteed!

maandag, februari 19, 2007

Shakedown new Skyline great succes!

Saturday 17th of Febuar around 10.30 a.m de Skyline arrived at Circuit Zandvoort. Carperformance was present with Jonne, Jeroen and Art. The test started in the Tarzan corner. With 4 Toyo R888 the grip was fenomenal. We changed the back after a few corners into Toyo T1R and that was much better. The engine was perfect and the handling also. The entry speed was crazy, but it was difficult to carry on the drift. All entry's were done by ebrake and the angle was great. During the day Joep en Jonne Beerenbroek from Carperformance were testing and at one moment we found a small leak in the cooling sytsem, but in 5 minutes this small problem was solved. Also Remmo Niezen did some runs and he was even more happy with the set up. While Joep was testing the e-brake, Remmo used the weight shift technik and the car reacted even better. So the first benefit of a possible joint venture with Remmo and Joep as teamsmates were already there. There is a small chance that the Skyline will be tested tomorrow at Zolder during the Xtreme Driftschool. For everybody who wants to see the Xtreme Driftschool in action, feel free to come to Circuit of Zolder at Sunday 18th of Februar

donderdag, februari 15, 2007

Finland 2007, what happens when 15 crazy drifters go to Finland?

Day 1
What a ride to Rostock. We had some traffic jams in Holland, but as soon as we passed the German border, the old Beemers did easily 200 kmpu. 90 kilometers before Rostock the gearbox of Joep's 323i exploded. What a smoke! We had good fun and we left the car in Germany and Joep jumped into Berends touring and together the drove to Rostock. Offourse the others were waiting and we were in time at the ferry. We went to the bar and at 5.30 we went to the cabin, very tired and very happy.

Day 2
Friday 2nd of FebruarWe arrived around noon at the hotel. The first roundabout we saw was really fantastic, six Beemers sideways, lap after lap. The Alexandra Hotel is really very nice and luxury. After we all checked in, we drove to the local tyrecentre for the special spike tyres. We went back to the hotel, but then we decided to explore the city. The first parkingplace was great fun. There was an old women walking with her dog and Kees Kok decided to drift around her. She really liked it, because all the people here are drifting. Even grandma is using the handbrake to park in front of the bakery. Drifting is here well accepted. Anyway, the next closed parkingplace was very very big and the first compentition was there! Who was able to drift 3 laps and win? Well, the answer was Eelco Walig and Berend decided to buy new spikes......We decided to leave town and we went to the hills. One moment Berend and Joep lost the others, but they found Tim Tatje and Rene de Regt, so we drove to the hotel. Later Joep received an telephonecall from Bas Plugge; two cars went of the road, so they all come to the hotel and with the whole group we decided to pick up the cars, after a really great meal. It was so funny, but after hard working all the cars were back on the track. So we decided to do this very difficult hillroad again and Paul Vlasblom showed his extreme carcontrole. Around 23.30 we went back to the hotel; some decided to go to an disco, others stayed in the hotelbar.

Day 3
Today we drove to the testtrack of TommY Makinen. What a fantastic track is that! It's 1.2 km long and about 12 meters wide. After a long briefing, we entered the track. The people from the track were laughing about our roadcars, but the stopped laughing after we all started with drifting. The level was so high (great jobs by Pieter van Hoorick, WJ Withagen, Richard Klimmert, Jan Nieuwpoort)and we had so much fun, really unbelieveble. Joep had no car, but the track owner found something really completly covered under the snow: a RWD Corollo 1.3 DX. We putted a new battery in the car and after 5 seconds the car was running. Joep called Vernon Zwanenveld, Vernon gave Joep permission the drift a Corolla :) Later the car was fixed by Richard Klimmert after some carburetor problems. One moment Joep lost the car with 120kmpu and the car was stucked into the snow. The Land Rover from Bas Plugge tried to pull the Corolla out, but took both hooks out of the chassis. Kees had a smart idea, but then the rear was gone, so 2morrow Joep has to drift with a very short Corolla.At 5pm we drove back to the hotel and in 1 hour we go to a nice restaurant for a nice meal. Speak to you soon!

Day 4
we went to a rally with more then 90 cars in competition. Some of us had some pain in the head, because of the drinks last night. All kind of very rare car such as a BMW e30 with a Volvo rearaxle and engine, lot of AE86's, Evo's etc. We were looking at one of the fastests part of the track and it was very nice to see, but to be honest, we were not impressed. The entry speed was ok, but with the tires they used we all know much more was possible. After 2 hours we saw enough and we drove to a ski-resort where Tim and Armanda, Bas, Joep and Berend rented ski's for some snowfun. Again it was good fun, so we skied till 5pm. In the mean time the others went back to the track in the forrest and offcourse at 6pm we received a telephonecall from Paul Vlasblom, because he was stucked into the snow. At the hotel we took the Land Rover and it was an easy job to put the car back on the track. This evening we going out for a nice meal downtown and a good chance, that we have a look in some bars/discotheques. Ok, have to run now, speak to you 2 morrow.

Day 5 and 6
Last night we went to the local karoake bar. The level of singing was horrible, but we had good fun instead! The next morning around 9 a.m we had breakfast and at 9.45 we drove to the testtrack of Tommy Makinen. The track was very well prepared last night. Today it was battle time. Can you imagine what happens when 8 drifters in old cars start to battle on a very slippery surface? Contact was quit normal, really door to door and more. This was really the max, all technics and tactics were higly recommeded. It was good to see how the non competition drifters were making progress. Kees Kok decided to sent Joep in his Corollo into the snowall, by pushing him with over 100km.ph. Paul Vlasblom was pushing everybody out of his way, Berend and Tim had a lot of fantastic battles, but the most exiting was the battles with 6 or 7 cars in the dark. And when somobody was stucked into the snow, we all stopped to help eachother. Joep's Corolla did not have any lights, so in the dark Joep was very happy when he could tail a BMW, so he had some sight at the track. Bas Plugge had this time the crash of the day. At 7 pm we drove back to the hotel, while it was minus 20 degrees. We had a nice meal and while I'm writing this dayreport, the others are in the bar, so I better join them. Speak to you 2morrow.
Day 7
We went back to the testtrack of Tommy. The whole track was ice. The Toyata slept outside and was frozen! The engine, the breaks, everything. We pussed the Toyo inside with the back of Berend's touring and 2 hours laters the engine was running again. Good car!The battles were harder and harder and after 2 good accidents we all decided to calm down, because most of us have to drive the car home.Rene de Regt is going better and better. We were at the track around 10 am and at 7pm we drove back the the hotel. Non stop drifting, only stopping for some fuel and a quick hamburger. We know for sure, that this holiday is the perfect trainingexperience and we are really looking forward to check the improvemenent on the tarmac. Jari and his wide (he booked all the tracks for us) come over for an nice meal. It was good fun again. Some of us went out, others jumped in bed and I was one of the last group and that's the reason I really kick some ass today :))
Speak to you 2morrow for the last report of Finland 2007.

Day 8
we went to Ratapirti for snowscooters and the Husky Dogs Ride. Kees + Erica, Wendy + Rene and Armanda and Tim had a nice experience with the dogs. Finland is such a beautifull country! All the others rented a 500cc Yahama snowscooter. The balance:stuck into the snow: Joep (not enough speed, due to damaged sparkplugs)flipped upside down: Pieter (hit a rock under the snow)broken gearbox: Paul (nobody knows, just technical failure)broken ski: Eelco + also flipped over.It was a great jourey, highest speed 110kmph and that with minus 35 degrees. The people here think we are crazy, but it was not so cold, although.........the owner owns an official WRC stage......and he opened it for us. What a difficult track, the speed and the trees are so closed. We had a big suprise with another 3 hours tracktime. Near the track was a small house and we fired up the fireplace. All the tracktimes were written down on the walls and Marcus Gronholm did it in 1.37 min. Kees Kok was flying and was 1 minute later......We eat there as well, had a good laugh again and around 8 pm we drove back to the hotel. We all went to Kees Kok's room and it is amazing howmany Heineken beer was there.....

Day 9 and 10
The last day! It was still minus 30 degrees and all cars started perfect. The track was so slippery, but the battles were hard but fair. Joep in his Corolla and Paul were fighting for every meter and with mutual respect the were battling for the last centimeter. One moment was very funy when Joep decided to take the forrestroad and Paul decided to take the wide high speed road.....BANG! but no problem and both carried on. With Richard as filmer, but also Tim, Bas and Berend started to get involved in the Battle of the Ego's. No winner offcourse, the 2 cars suffered and the only thing of the car which was not damaged was the left door and then Paul decided to hit that part with his rearbumper and again we had good fun. We all learned so much about handling at high speed with no grip, the e-brake entry's and putting pressure on the car in front of you.Aroud 3 pm Joep broke his finger, while he tried to put the snow away from the radiator and he hit with his finger probably the alternator. Joep tried the put the figer back in position, but unfortunatly he had to go to the hospital. The want to put the hand in the plaster, but that had to last for 6 weeks, so Joep requested no plaster, so he is able to drive and more important....to use the e-brake at next Sunday.Eelco used (or abused) the Toyota for the last hours and it is amazing how strong such a car is, because technically the car was still in good shape.We had a fanastic week all together, a special thank to Jari Schuurman. Next year we will be back, probably with a autotransporter with 8 cars and then we take the plane. Finland, we will be back!




woensdag, januari 03, 2007

Happy New Year!

The whole team of the Benelux Drift Series wishes everybody all the best of 2007! We would like to thank all the drifters for the fantastic shows they putted on, we would like to thank all our sponsors and partners for their well appreciated input and trust in us, we would like to thank all the thousands of spectators who came to our events and we also would like to thank especially all our officials and volunteers who helped us last year.
Hope to see you all at Saterday of 13th January at Circuit Zolder, for the price giving and presentations of our new plans for 2007. We will keep working close toghether with the main driftpromotors of England and Ireland: Pro Drift and EDC.
We are also very proud that we can already confirm our competition dates for 2007 with 160 drifters in competition from 9 country's, very exciting driftcars and in 2007 we will have 8 rounds at high profile events in Belgium, Holland, France and Germany.Regards,
BE Drift Series (Andy, Hanne, Joep)NL Drift Series (Olaf)LU Drift Series (Yves)