TEMPLEMAN THIRD DRIFT WINNER

NEW ZEALAND

HIGH-PROFILE off-road and circuit racer Daynom Templeman has underlined the competitive nature of this season's Cody's D1NZ National Drifting Championship by beating three-time defending Champion Gaz Whiter (Nissan S14) at the third round in Taupo on December 16-17.

After the first two rounds, Templeman and his Mazda RX-7 were languishing in 13th place, but that didn't stop him outpointing Andrew Redward and Whiter in their Nissan S14s in qualifying before taking the ensuing drift battles.

"He was on fire, al right," said D1NZ organiser Brendon White. "Nobody got near Daynom on Saturday."

A boisterous crowd watched Templeman down Carlos Walters and his Nissan Skyline R33, round two winner Curt Whittaker and his Skyline R34, and Jason Sellers' Nissan Laurel.

Templeman's final efforts secured his fourth win of the day, and with it his first D1NZ National Drifting Championship series round win and the $5000 cash prize.

GOB

HINCHCLIFFE GETS GOING

INDYCAR OWNER Michael Andretti and driver James Hinchcliffe were on the verge of signing a contract as AA went to press this week. Barring a wrong turn in talks, last year's Rookie of the Year will be the driver of the high-profile GoDaddy-sponsored car this season. The seat was vacated by Danica Patrick as she turned full-time to NASCAR. Two-time Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon had signed to be her replacement on the morning of his fatal crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

LADA TO RETURN TO WTCC

THE LADA Sport Team has confirmed plans to return to the FIA World Touring Car Championship in 2012, in partnership with Russian car manufacturer AVTOVAZ. The last time LADA competed in the WTCC was in 2009, where it strove to a bestrace finish of sixth with Brit James Thompson at the wheel. The team currently plans to compete in two rounds of the 2012 series in the LADA Granta Sportcar, before contesting the series in full from 2013.

INTERNATIONAL INVASION

NEW ZEALAND'S Toyota Racing Series has a record number of 15 overseas drivers signed up (or 2012. including West Australian Jordan Oon. The series kicks off at Teretonga Park on January 14-15. with drivers from 13 different countries on the grid.

PADDON'S SUPER SKODA

HAYDEN PADDON is moving up to the competitive S2000 rally class in 2012 after winning the 2011 Production World Rally championship. The 24-year-old Kiwi will drive a Skoda Fabia run by Spanish team ASM Motorsport. "I am ecstatic about the move to Super 2000; it's a fantastic opportunity," Paddon said. "I was lucky enough to test the Skoda Fabia S2000 in Europe a couple of months ago, and it was an incredible car to drive."

CONQUERING THE MOUNTAIN

BRETT HAYWARD HAS BEATEN ALMOST EVERY HILLCLIMB TRACK IN AUSTRALIA - THE WORLD IS NEXT

HINCHCLIFFE GETS GOING

LADA TO RETURN TO WTCC

INTERNATIONAL INVASION

PADDON'S SUPER SKODA

CONQUERING THE MOUNTAIN

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