Tauranga Pro Returns to Represent NZ in World Drift Series

Tauranga Pro Returns to Represent New Zealand in World Drift Series

Returning to China in 2013 to take on the world’s best in professional Drifting is 26 year old Tauranga local Cole Armstrong.

Setting standards high following his first years experience in the competition during 2012, Armstrong - usually flanked by a team of two additional drivers will be flying the New Zealand flag solo this May due to mechanical delays in additional team member camps.

Round One of the series this year takes place at Tainjin Olympic Stadium, where the impressive purpose built athletics track is converted to a tar seal oval surrounded by a 60,000 seating capacity.

The 2013 series will see battles between some of the world’s best professional Drifters – with names such as Vaughn Gittin Jr, Frederic Aasbo and Matt Powers from the USA Professional Series, Formula Drift bringing the highest level of competitiveness.

Following WDS rounds will take Cole and joining Kiwi team members to additional impressive Chinese locations, when the remainder of the competition and series heats up again in September, with finals in October and November 2013.

Recognised as a significant national sporting event, the World Drift Series is fully funded by the Chinese Government and has been since 2006. Celebrations throughout the event mirror the significance of an Olympic spectacle – in Asian nations, drifting is embraced as a high profile spectator sport, attracting global media attention as stars of the sport light up the stadium with smoke filled stands and bumper to bumper action.

“Representing New Zealand last year at the series was a huge deal for us, and it’s no different this time round. 2012 was a huge learning curve as a debut to the series and this year with that under our belt we’re setting the bar high for ourselves. It will be different not having the rest of the Kiwi contingent around us – but that just means that if we’re going to put New Zealand on the world stage i’m going to be the one to do it.”

Armstrong farewelled his locally engineered 460 kilowatt Nissan Rb34 Drift Skyline on its voyage to China last week, the car has seen Cole through 2 New Zealand professional seasons and another national representation stint in Australia following World Drift Series in 2012.

Following Round One of World Drift Series 2013, Armstrong will either send the RB34 back to New Zealand for winter events, or on to additional international locations and competition pending sponsor alignments currently under negotiation.

Welcomed warmly to the competition last year by Chinese officials impressed by his tenacious driving style and effervescent flare, Armstrong has quickly become a popular driver on the tour.

“WDS do a huge job to make us feel like superstars over there, professional drifting is a spectacle and the Chinese provide an electric atmosphere for both spectators and drivers alike. Being part of an event like this is definitely the reason why we do what we do, it’s an absolute privilege to be invited and it’s an even bigger buzz to drive amongst guys we look up to. We’ll be giving it everything in 2013, especially for our supporters back home.”

Organisers of the 2013 World Series are focused on promoting the series to a mass audience, striking a deal with Chinese national television to see the event broadcast live across the globes largest population base.

In its eighth year of competition not only does the series attract the world’s best drivers, but the world’s most awarded and respected judges. Sporting personality ‘Tarzan Yamada’ is one of Armstrong’s idols and judges this year, and when questioned expressed a great deal of excitement to being judged by someone who he has mirrored a lot of his driving style and technique on from the inception of his presence in the sport.

Armstrong is currently supported in competition with the help of V Energy, Armstrong Plumbing, Turbo by Garrett, Autoclutch, Sinco Customs, Steven Sole Customs, Link ECU, NAC Insurance, Jenner Cargo Worldwide, Taupo Motorsport Park, BNT and Mobil1.

Round One of the World Drift Series, China will take place this weekend – local coverage and updates will be published via Armstrong’s social media accounts and can also be viewed via the event website www.wdschina.com.

ENDS

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