In the pantheon that is the D1NZ New Zealand Drifting Championship ‘roll of honour’ several names stand out. Aucklander Darren Kelly’s is the latest.
Driving his unique – and very much self-developed – Heart of Racing-backed, straight six RB30-engined Nissan R35 GT-R, Kelly claimed his third Pro-series title crown at an all-action grand finale of this year’s Valvoline-backed series at Tauranga’s Trust Power Bay Park stadium on Saturday May 01.
Heading into the final round of the 2021 season’s quick-fire January-to-May series, Kelly was in the middle of a four-man battle for the season’s title with defending champion, Liam Burke from Whangarei (2JZ Nissan S13), and series veterans, Andrew Redward (LSI Mazda RX7) from Auckland, and Daniel ‘Fanga Dan’ Woolhouse (RTR Ford Mustang V8) from Whangarei.
However, an emphatic win on the tight confines of the D1NZ organisation’s purpose-built concrete course inside Trust Power’s stadium saw Kelly leapfrog the others to claim the 2021 Pro-series title by 53 points over Liam Burke with Andrew Redward just pipping Daniel Woolhouse for third.
The title is Kelly’s third in the seven years he has been competing in the D1NZ Pro-series, meaning he has now eclipsed two-time former series title holders Daniel Woolhouse, Curt Whittaker, and Cole Armstrong, and is now second only to Dargaville’s Gaz Whiter (a 4x title-holder) in terms of overall Pro-series wins.
Add the Pro-Sport title Kelly won on his entry to the Sport back in 2013, though and he is lineball with Whiter, yet still very much in the prime of his career.
The Pro-Sport title, meanwhile, and very much as expected went to New Plymouth ace Shaun Potroz from David Hunter (Te Awamutu).
RESULTS 2021 VALVOLINE D1NZ NATIONAL DRIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP
Pro Championship
Darren Kelly (Akld, Nissan R35 GT-R) 498 points
Liam Burke (Whng, 2JZ Nissan S13) 446
Andrew Redward (Akld, LS1 V8 Mazda RX7) 420
Daniel Woolhouse (Whng, RTR Ford Mustang V8) 420
Adam Davies (Mat, 20B rotary Nissan 180SX) 364
Taylor James (Tok, RB30 Nissan S14) 356
Ben Jenkins (Akld, 2JZ Toyota 86) 338
Dave Steedman (Taur, RB30 Nissan S14) 262
Troy Jenkins (Akld, 2JZ Toyota 86) 260
Bruce Tannock (Ham, RB30 Nissan S13) 254
Pro Sport
Shaun Potroz (NP, RB25 Nissan S14) 412 points
David Hunter (Te Awa, RB30 Nissan Laurel) 326
Kase Pullen-Burry (Wai, Nissan S14) 260
Adam Camplin (Akld, 2JZ Mazda RX7) 238
Jordan Joyce (Akld, RB30 Nissan S13) 208
Adam Whitehead (HB, RB30 Nissan S14) 196
Andrew Donoghue (Ham, Nissan Laurel) 194
Tyler West (Akld, Nissan S14) 172Connor Halligan (Akld, Nissan S14) 170
Eddie Hayman (Akld, 2JZ Nissan Cefiro) 152
