Okay everybody if you wish to ask questions about our first round of the Stil Series then hit me with them here…
First things first, I’d like to thank all the sponsors who have come on board to back our series. Michael White of Parkside media was given the task to secure financial partners in the series and eventually we actually turned a couple down as we have other plans for the sport of drifting where their sponsorship presence would be better suited to the exposure we can give them.
Stil Vodka is the baby brother of 42 Below and its most certainly a bloody good product. Stil’s involvement is a first of its kind and we intend to help them with as much exposure as possible. Official name is the Stil Vodka NZ Drift Series by Dfactor, but if you really can’t get your tongue around all that, I’m happy if you spread the word by just calling it the Stil Drift Series.
Along with Stil, we have co-operative backing from Pit Stop, Racepro, Fram Filters, RPS and Tein along with radio support from ZM and Flava. All these entities have come on board in an effort to elevate drifting to a different level, so please support these guys as they support what you enjoy.
Next in line is a big thanks to all those people behind the scenes who have given us guidance in the lead up to our first event at Manfeild on Queen’s Birthday Weekend. Justin Rood of D1NZ has given me immeasurable support and guidance with regard to running of events and he even passed his eyes over our supplementary regs in an effort to help make them as loophole-free as possible. While I recognise that D1NZ and the Stil Vodka NZ Drift Series are in effect opposite sides of the coin, both Justin and I wish the sport to continue infinitum.
As far as the Stil Vodka NZ Drift Series is concerned, we held a meeting a month or two back and invited a number of key players along to Parkside’s offices to go over the planned events. We came out of the meeting with a clear indication of what drifters wanted in New Zealand. Strangely enough it wasn’t so much fame and fortune, it was more in line with having fun and being looked after without having to spend too much money doing what they enjoy.
We took their comments into account and the following is where we are at as we go into the first round of the five event Stil Vodka NZ Drift Series:
1/ Pre-entry fees are just $100. Pre-entered competitors who sign up before May 23 also gather points towards their final series tally by getting their payment in early. On the day if you wish to enter then be ready to pay $200. The idea behind such a high penalty rate is to have competitor commitment as early as possible so we can let spectators know who’s going to be at the track before they turn up.
2/ The top eight point-scorers in the Stil Vodka NZ Drift Series will be given free entry to the next event. In other words, if you’re doing well then why wouldn’t we reward you with a free pass into the next meeting?
3/ The prizemoney pool totals $43,500 in event and series rewards. Winner’s at each round of the series get $1000, the runner-up takes home $800 and third place is up for $500. We also have a couple of $200 rewards for the Top Qualifier and the Hard Yards competitor on each day.
4/ The Stil Vodka NZ Drift Series winds up with the Grand Final on November 25 where a whole heap more cash and rewards will be handed out. Winner of the series gets $5000 cash plus another $10,000 advertising expense account with Parkside Media. The advertising spend will allow competitors to actually go to potential sponsors and guarantee a return on their investment if they back the winner…when was the last time any competitor in NZ could honestly quantify a sponsor’s return? Well now we’ve made it possible for you to honestly return a large amount back to your sponsor if you win.
5/ Supplementary Regulations for the Stil Vodka NZ Drift Series have been written with guidance from a number of key players in the community. Justin Rood, Sean Falconer, Dayna Jury, Manawatu Car Club’s Julian Hardy and a number of others helped create a tight set of rules which we hope have created a level playing field for competitors. If you intend to enter (or know somebody who intends to), and have not received a set of the regs then urgently get hold of me on (09) 524 5854 or shoot me an e-mail to mfleming@parkside.co.nz so that I can get all the relevant information to you before May 23.
6/ The regs of our Stil Drift Series are inline with MSNZ’s Schedule A and Schedule DR. It is a matter of fact that if you are to be taken seriously then you must adhere to the governing body’s regulations. Feel free to download these schedules from their website as knowledge of their regs will make your life easier when entering our events.
7/ We have secured the services of Sean Falconer, Dayna Jury and NZ Performance Car Magazine’s Gray Lynskey as the three judges for our Stil Vodka NZ Drift Series. Most of you who know these guys will realise they have the knowledge and passion to judge on a level playing field.
8/ Round 1 at Manfeild is being held on Saturday, June 2 which is Queen’s Birthday Weekend. The gates open to competitors at 7am and spectators can arrive at 8am. Spectator admission is $20.
9/ The dfactor.co.nz website is next on our agenda to get up and functioning. At present the advert is all you’ll find there but give us a bit of time and we intend the site will have everything you require as far as info and interaction is concerned.
10/ As a note to anybody that hasn’t managed to get hold of an entry form (I’ve already sent one out to all those who have supplied me with an e-mail address), if you haven’t got one, send me your details to mfleming@parkside.co.nz and I’ll send one back straight away. Remember: to take advantage of the cheap entry fee at Manfeild’s June 2 event you need to have your payment made by May 23.
11/ On the subject of tyres and fuel, competitors please note, we’re working on sponsors who can sort out a smart deal for you on supply of product at the event. If you are after tyres or Avgas for June 2, please let me know and I’ll get you the severely discounted price we’re working on from the suppliers. You know the deal, e-mail me and I’ll return your message. And yes, there will be a tyre changer at the track.
12/ Lastly, don’t forget this series is getting a big punt from Brad and the team at NZ Performance Car Magazine plus we will have dedicated coverage of the Stil Drift Series on mainstream television. TV1 will have dedicated 30 minute shows of each of the rounds, along with coverage in Performance Car TV on both TV1 and TV2. SKY Sport 1, 2, and 3 will also screen the series rounds numerous times as well.
13/ Well, that’s it for now, any questions just ask….
