[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/drift-allstars-goes-to-the-dogs\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/drift-allstars-goes-to-the-dogs\/","headline":"Drift Allstars Goes To The Dogs","name":"Drift Allstars Goes To The Dogs","description":"Despite the weather, a late change of venue and some early concerns about the track, round\u00a0two of the Drift Allstars European Series (aka The Big Smoke) at Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium fell into place on the day. The clouds parted at lunch time, the track surface quickly dried and before long, smoke was billowing from tyres as the international roster of drivers began pushing hard to qualify for the top 16.\u00a0 The weather wasn’t the only thing to\u00a0change. Last minute problems […]","datePublished":"2012-07-10","dateModified":"2012-07-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Motor-Vision_.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Motor-Vision_.jpg","height":385,"width":577},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/drift-allstars-goes-to-the-dogs\/","about":["Cars","Clubs \/ Events","Imported Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS","Modified Cars","Sports \/ Performance & Prestige cars","Sports, Performance & Prestige Cars"],"wordCount":621,"keywords":["achilies tire","alan sinnot","Anthony scotrt","bryn musclewhite","drift allstars","drift battle","drifting","Falken Tire","james deane","juha rintanen","lbd","low brain drifters","luke fink","marangoni tyres","mazda rx-7","nathan chivers","nexen tire","Nigel Colfer","nissan","run the wall","s13","s14","simon pow","skyline","steve evans","tandoming","toyota starlet","twinning","wimbledon"],"articleBody":"Despite the weather, a late change of venue and some early concerns about the track, round\u00a0two of the Drift Allstars European Series (aka The Big Smoke) at Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium fell into place on the day. The clouds parted at lunch time, the track surface quickly dried and before long, smoke was billowing from tyres as the international roster of drivers began pushing hard to qualify for the top 16.\u00a0The weather wasn’t the only thing to\u00a0change. Last minute problems saw Australian Luke Fink \u00a0behind the wheel of Steve “Stiggy” Evans Toyota Starlet. Driftworks Phil Morrison missed the round due to mechanical issues and reigning Champion James Deane returned after his round one problems.As the sun came out, so did commentator extraordinaire and voice of drifting\u00a0Bryn Musclewhite with the judging team.Anthony Scott was one of the first drivers out and put on an impressive display, yet failed to make it to the top 16.Luke Fink set the standard in qualifying, getting so close to the wall on the first turn that\u00a0he clipped the entrance gatepost and span the Starlet’s rear wing 90 degrees.Ireland’s Nigel Colfer\u00a0qualified\u00a0second\u00a0in the Marangoni Tire Nissan S13 with some consistant wall-running.And James Deane placed 3rd, repeatedly ripping sponsors banners from the walls with the rear of his\u00a0Falken Tire Mazda RX7.But as the top 16 battles began in earnest, disaster struck.\u00a0Nathan Chivers was leading Luke Fink on their second run……when he\u00a0slammed his car into the wall on the exit of turn one on their second run, collecting Luke Fink in the process and\u00a0taking them both out of the running.Luckily, Nathan and Luke walked away unhurt.\u00a0The same can’t\u00a0be\u00a0said for\u00a0their cars.The biggest battle of the night was between good friends 2011 Irish Champion Alan Sinnot and 2011 Drift Allstars European Champion James Deane. Each battle was too close to call with the judges asking them to battle “one more time”, over and over\u00a0again. Finally Alan Sinnot in his Nexen Tire AE86 Corrola took the win and a place in the semi finals.In the first semi final Juha Rintanen simply had too much speed and power for Pete Barber to keep up with, seeing the Finn go through in the Achilles Tire\/LBD Nissan S14.\u00a0Colfer and Sinnot were next to battle for a podium place under the floodlights. Colfer took the win,\u00a0leaving\u00a0Sinnot with 3rd place.While tyre changes and running repairs were carried out in the paddock, the even larger than expected crowd and 40,000 fans watching the live stream were treated to some entertainment in the arena.In the final it quickly became evident that\u00a0this was going to be a very tough battle with\u00a0Juha Rintanen (aka the Fly Finn),\u00a0a new driver in the series, facing off against Nigel Colfer, a seasoned driver and 2012 runner up. In the first run it was Nigel who led and pulled a significant lead, but towards the end of the run Rintanen had pulled the gap back.\u00a0Juha lead the second run and put everything on the line, running wide and carrying as much speed as possible in the Achilles Tires Nissan S14.As usual, the judges kept their decisions quiet until everyone has assembled around the podium and the champagne had been\u00a0given a good shake.First place to Juha Rintanen, second to Nigel Colfer and third to Alan Sinnot, leaving Juha leading the series as the spectacle moves to Punchestown, Ireland on the 28th and 29th July.And to wrap things up, an amazing video from our friends at Aatomation. Look out for the in car footage of the Chivers\/Fink accident around 2 minutes in."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Drift Allstars Goes To The Dogs","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/drift-allstars-goes-to-the-dogs\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]