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