The Invasion – Drift Allstars Ireland Results
James Deane takes the win on home soil.
After many years in the running Drift Allstars would hold its very first Irish event.
Round 3 THE INVASION Ireland would also see an amazing turnout from drivers with nearly 50 drivers entered and over 35 drivers entering for the Irish driver search on the Saturday. This would be a great way to find the talent and see the very best drivers from Ireland go through to Sundays events.
On Saturday it was quite evident a few drivers stood out and would be a force to be reckoned with at the driver search. All 2012 Drift Allstars Irish points scoring drivers were pre-qualified for the Sunday meaning the best 16 would go through to Sunday.
Richard Bradley stood out on the Saturday driver search with some great wall rubbing lines followed closely by Rob Barnet and 2009 Irish Champion Mike Deane. With 16 drivers going through to the main event there would be 30 drivers competing for the final 16.
With changeable weather conditions over both days it was the weather that caught out a few drivers .Spanish champions Lluis Lopez caught the wall very hard and had to do overnight repairs to make sure his new Nexen Tire Nissan S14 was ready in time. Drift Grand Prix Romania winner Brenden Stone would go out with engine issues also
From the start of qualifying it was evident James Deane wanted the win after going through his longest non-winning streak in the series. Qualifying points would be taken from the super lap. James would take P1. Damien Mulvey would make a return to the series after his exit at round 1 with a mechanical problem and would blitz the course taking P2. Richard Bradley again laid down the run of his life taking P3 after upsetting so many big guns on Saturday.
Dan Chapman would struggle again in the LBD Achilles Tire V8, Nigel Colfer would break a hub and have to change car for the qualifying and Juha Rintanen would spin out on his run. Alan Sinnot would also run into issues and qualify a lowly 11th meaning all championship contenders all had their fair share of problems.
TOP 16 Battles
James Deane, Mike Deane would take easy wins over there rivals. Notable battles were Nigel Colfer fighting for the championship in a borrowed car. His title plans would remain in tack after defeating Dan Chapman in the LBD Achilles tires car.
16 year old sensation Duane Mckeever would defeat Martin Richards in the Altenzo tires/Pure Performance car after a hard fought battle between the two.
Second in the championship Alan Sinnot had to fight hard but would beat Barry Hennessey sending him through to the final 8 Championship leader Juha Rintanen would push hard again and defeat ex Irish champion Damien Mulvey in a very tight battle.
Newly licensed drivers Diarmuid O Connell and Richard Bradley would also progress to the final 8 after showing great form in the battles beating Brian Egan and Alan Farrell .
Great 8
James Deane Vs Nigel Colfer
First up was James Deane in the Falken Tire Mazda RX7 against Nigel Colfer in the Marangoni Tire S13. Both close 2011 Championship rivals.
Nigel borrowed a car after breaking a hub in practice was in damage limitation mode and just had no answer to Deans speed and lines. Top 8 was good enough for Nigel to keep his championship hopes alive and Deane marched on to the final 4.
Mike Deane Vs Diarmuid O Sullivan
Local heros Mike Deane 2009 Irish champion against young gun Diarmuid O Sullivan would prove another close battle. Diarmuids day would end after running wide on the wet line and having a huge shunt with the wall. Mike Deane would march on to the final 4 making an all family affair in the semi-final.
Juha Rinatanen VS Duane Mckeever
Finnish Champion Juha Rintanen would face up against Europe’s brightest talent 16 year old Duane Mckeever. Both running 600hp 6 cylinder Nissans. Both drivers having a very scrappy run in the first leg
Juha had the edge in the second run where he pulled enough distance to have a heavy advantage and took the win going through to the final 4.
Alan Sinnot Vs Richard Bradley
The final battle would be 2011 Irish champion Alan Sinnot against newcomer Richard Bradley No1 driver from the Saturday driver search. Both drivers would have a very close first run but in the second run Bradley while chasing Sinnot would shut off with a mechanical problem and finish his weekend.
Final 4
Mike Deane Vs James Deane
Not often do you get brothers battling in drifting but these ex Irish champions always go at it the hardest. James would have the edge on speed and lines, Mike would try to attack on the second run but the advantage was too much from James in both runs and James got the nod advancing to his first final of the 2012 season
Alan Sinnot Vs Juha Rintanen
This battle would closely decide the already very tight championship. Sinnot would lead the first battle but a correction/ straighten by Rintanen while following, would give Sinnot a huge advantage. Juha would lay down the run of his life showing great speed and angle but it was not enough and Sinnot would progress to his second final of the season.
Third Place play off
Juha Rintanen Vs Mike Deane
Juha would again show us why he is one of the best drivers in Europe right now laying down a flawless run against Mike and his speed /angle was too much for Mike and further sealing Juha’s third podium of the season
Final
James Deane Vs Alan Sinnot
These two have gone to battle so much it has been untrue. A Falken Vs Nexen Battle. Both ex Irish champions and James being the defending 2011 Drift Allstars champion everything was to play for. James was on top form all weekend and with qualifying first really was the man on a mission. The first battle James led and edged a small advantage over Alan. In the second leg Deane pushed hard and was just too much shadowing Sinnot around the whole track giving him a clear advantage.
After such a close battle James Deane would take the win and later said, “I went into Round 3 of Drift Allstars with a go hard or go home attitude! I pushed as hard as possible all weekend and it paid off. Huge thanks to all my sponsors and supporters for being behind me all the way. I’m delighted!”
Next Stop for the tour is the first mainland european leg at Constansa Port,Romania August 18-19th
In the Tire Battle it would be NEXEN again who climb back on top after Alan’s second place finish.
ABOUT Drift Allstars Europe
Entering its fourth season, Drift All-stars is recognized as the best professional drifting championship in the Europe. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges each driver’s driving ability and vehicle control. Drift All-stars provides a Championship for professional drifters to compete in several events/demonstrations across Europe for the coveted Drift All-stars European Series. Drift All-stars has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme attracting fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life and establishes itself as the national focal point for the Sport. For a race schedule and ticket information, visit: www.driftallstars.com
