Drifting pair back in action

Matamata brothers Aaron and Jonathan Bennett are gearing up for the national drifting championship (D1NZ) next year, in a Holden ute after a two year break.

The entry of the Holden Ute is a New Zealand first for the D1NZ national drifting championship and sees the brothers meticulously developing the car to compete against more traditional drifting vehicles.

Aaron, who owns a local building company, said they’re eager to get back into the sport after his young family took priority for two years.

‘‘Jonathan and

I have always had a passion for drifting but after having children we’re both taking a different approach.’’

The close-knit duo will compete in a former NZV8 VZ Holden Commodore Ute for the 2013/2014 season, with a powerful V8 engine that will prove competitive against other vehicles because of its impressive amount of torque.

‘‘While I’m lucky enough to be the driver, Jonathan is the chief so we really are doing this as a team,’’ Aaron said.

He is excited to get back behind the wheel and said he is particularly looking forward to the technicality of the street tracks D1NZ organisers have implemented.

‘‘The tracks are all so different, so we’re constantly learning and trying to push more. We’re always looking to improve, no matter where we are,’’ Aaron said.

‘‘We’re also really lucky to have enlisted the help of Mary Brown of MPB Management as we couldn’t manage sponsorship and everything else without her.’’

The 2013/2014 D1NZ championship starts in October 2013 following the completion of the current 2012/ 2013 season and will see Aaron and Jonathan battle against other teams for top honours over six rounds.