NZ’s new home of drifting
The ever-growing sport of drifting is set to get its first permanent home here in New Zealand, work having started on a dedicated facility at Meremere Dragway south of Auckland.
The purpose-built facility – on land adjacent the dragstrip pits and parking area – is the brainchild of Auckland based driver and entrepreneur Sky Zhao, a pro driver, turned professional coach with his own business Drift Academy International, operating in New Zealand, Japan and China.
“It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to see the sport of drifting legitimised and for it to grow here in New Zealand. I’m lucky enough to be able to be a part of that,” he told Motor Equipment News.
Having drifted on purpose-built tracks overseas, Zhou says that establishing such a facility in here became a priority for the future of the activity here.
What he envisaged was a place to bring like-minded people together in a safe, off the street environment without the high cost associated with the hire of established racing circuits.
Zhou also believes that temporary courses on a series of linked corners at existing motor racing circuits are often too demanding for beginners and those in grass roots cars.
To that end the Drift Park’s design will provide a safer and better quality experience not only for those learning to drift but for experienced drivers too. And after much consultation with local council and with the help of Gary Bogaart from Meremere Dragway the vision is now a reality.
Earthwork has begun with construction underway soon and completion targeted for the end of 2017.
For ongoing updates visit www. driftpark.co.nz or search “Meremere Drift Park” on Facebook.