D1 Great Britain National Championship
Not content with domination in Japan with its successful D1 Grand Prix, the D1 Corporation then set its sights on the USA, first forming exhibition rounds to showcase D1 to the USA in 2004 to being incorporated into a Championship point scoring round as part of the D1GP Series in 2005. The next stop is Europe and in 2005 the D1 Corporation has had a busy year in the UK with shows and promotional features such as the BBC Top Gear programme, event demonstration at circuits such as Silverstone, Rockingham and Mondello Park as well major media interest such as the Daily Telegraphs’ motoring front page stories and countless magazine and video features all over Europe, all in preparation for the permanent arrival of the sport in 2006.
Once again moving the sport onto to its next destination the D1 Corporation have set their sights on a new target - Europe. Following on from the first ever and hugely successful D1GP exhibition match, held on the 2nd of October 2005 at Silverstone - 2006 will see the first ever D1 National Championship {D1GB} which will be held in the UK - chosen as the European home of D1. NRG Events Ltd are responsible for bringing the National Championship alive and will run the championship on behalf of the D1 Corporation. Mr Hiroki Furuse - representative of the D1 Corporation said ‘We are very pleased to announce the launching of D1 Great Britain National Championship with NRG Events Ltd. We started D1 Grand Prix 5 years ago to stimulate after market scene which means the organisers of D1 GB National Championship must be aware of the main concept of these events which is to continue with this ethos. We are very confident that NRG Events Ltd are most suited to run the D1GB event lineup for us with their spirit and knowledge and we look forward to a successful Championship’.
The D1GB will be held in the UK over six point scoring rounds at premier race circuit locations, kicking off in April with a pre-season test, licensing and media day at Donington race circuit on the 15/16th April 2006.
Andy Barnes, NRG’s D1GB Championship Coordinator said ‘ The D1GB has been formed to accommodate the increasing level of interest that drifting now has within Europe and more importantly UK and European drivers will finally have a professional championship to display their impressive skills at. As seen in the D1GP Exhibition at Silverstone, our drivers are now reaching a level which requires professional organisation to ensure their future success within a championship worthy of their efforts. D1GB has been formed to achieve this and many other goals within Drifting. Its very existence is to ensure the future of a solid and professional motorsport, geared for the aftermarket scene and one which demonstrates the impressive nature of this currently undervalued tuning lifestyle, NRG is pleased to be spearheading the culmination of our European teams and drivers and introducing them to the professional world of D1.’
Glen Horncastle, NRG’s D1GB Operations & Events Director added ‘Right now we are in discussion with various circuits and will release our full calendar shortly. We hope 2006 will be impressive for our first year as we are aiming to produce a full grid line-up of the UK and Europe’s best teams and drivers. Each event will be brimming with exciting enterainment from the on-circuit action which will put normal race viewing well and truly in the shade. D1 is a fabulous spectator sport and therefore much emphasis has been put on this area to ensure that the public are welcomed to see some of the best driving skills in Europe thus creating an action packed series of events for the whole family to enjoy In addition to this, we will play host to the UK’s car club scene, providing space and organisation for these guys to get actively involved as well as providing of-circuit entertainment and trade areas for the public to enjoy.
Up to now many drivers have been performing as privateers and these guys will be supported by the D1GB where possible. Alongside these guys who are the backbone of the events and whose hard work have made the interest in drifting so, we are working hard to ensure that the UK’s most famous tuning houses are involved for the first time and ongoing discussions are taking place to ensure their commitment to the D1GB and the drivers involved.’
