Five international events, 4 countries, thousands of miles, gallons of fuel and countless Nexen Tyres later, Irelands James Deane has achieved the unthinkable and captured the 2008 Prodrift European Series.
At an eventful final event at Lydden Hill,UK, James’ 4^th Podium appearance of the year coupled with the mis-fortune of his closest competitors meant that the the Nexen sponsored Nissan added the title of Prodrift European Champion to his recent Irish domestic title.  Prior to the finals, the Nexen Nissan was a topical point of conversation as rumours of major engine surgery circulated around the drifting world. Team Deane had made a decision to gamble on a new engine setup prior to the event with one eye fixed on the trip to Los Angeles for the Red Bull Drifting World Championships. Under severe time constraints, the trusty SR20DET setup was transported to TrackDay Performance in Co.Wicklow, Ireland for the introduction of an RB26 lump with modified drive train. Many considered the transplant at such a critical point in the season to be high-risk but with an expert team of mechanics and tuners at his disposal the 16 year old Irish Champion was excited by and confident in the upgrade.  The Nexen S14 rolled off the trailer at Lydden with some minor finishing touches still to be completed. Deane had yet to drive, let alone test, the new setup. With morning practice coming to a close the white and purple Silvia made its first trip around the power hungry Lydden Hill circuit and was immediately impressive. After just 2 runs, Deane looked entirely comfortable behind the wheel of his new machine and the RB26 motor sounded incredible as it powered up the hills with ease. James commented on the different driving technique required – less aggressive initiations with a graduated throttle feed were his first observations.

With practice out of the way and following some post-session diagnostics, the Nexen Nissan prepared to qualify. 2 laps to determine the 2008 Irish Champions grid position in what would be the most important Top 16 of the season. Without concern or pressure James delivered two solid laps earning him 2^nd highest qualifier behind his main championship rival, Darren McNamara.  The opening battle of the Top 16 played right into the hands of Deane and re-ignited his championship ambitions. Championship leader Darren McNamara fell victim to the Driftworks S13 of Dan Chapman. Furthermore, Eric O’Sullivan who was tied for Deane in 2^nd position in the championship also exited the competition at this stage losing to Prodrift Europe debutant Nigel Colfer. The title was now in the hands of the young Irishman, a podium finish required to clinch the enviable title. James easily progressed to the Top 8 after defeating the UK’s Tom Yates in his first battle but now the Nexen Nissan was beginning to display teething problems with an overheating power steering system. The Trackday Performance crew stemmed the problem at the start line prior to James’ top 8 battle against Dean Kearney – a driver who James has battled on numerous occasions during the season. Again the RB powered Silvia was too much for his opponent and James took another step closer to the championship booking his place in the Final 4. To finish fourth would have left the young Irishman tied with McNamara in the overall championship standings but losing out on a victory count-back. One more win was required and standing in the way was his Nexen team mate Dennis Healy. Healy had impressed all day, his powerful turbo charged Corolla had navigated the course with ease. Run #1 was a close affair but as both cars hit the fastest part of the course for Run#2, Healy dropped off and eventually spun whilst pushing to keep with his opponent.

Jubilant celebrations followed upon his return to the start line and James prepared for the final safe in the knowledge that he had done enough to take the championship victory. Awaiting James in the final was the 2JZ powered S15 Silvia of Phil Morrison. Both hybrid Nissans delivered performances with 100% commitment and their scores were inseparable across the first battle. The same result was achieved in a sudden death match meaning that both would need to draw swords for a third time to determine a winner. Morrison and his Driftworks Silvia had looked excellent right throughout the Top 16 battles but in true Prodrift style had a kept little in reserve for this occasion. James was unable to match the performance of Morrison during Battle #3 and settled for the runners up trophy and with it the crown of 2008 Prodrift European Champion.  

Without winning a single event on the European Calendar, James Deane proved that consistent performances deliver results. Now equipped with over 500 bhp, James Deane will travel to Los Angeles on Nov 15^th for the Red Bull World Drifting Championships confident of mixing it up with a grid full of the worlds best sideways competitors. The new setup will also instil confidence in his 2009 championship ambitions and perhaps deliver results that will see the world’s youngest Professional drifter step onto the top rung of a Prodrift Podium.

     Images Courtesy of Ross @  http://www.doristars.com/

After what was a highly publicised build involving the efforts of some of the UK’s most established sideways personalities, at Prodrift Round 5 the Driftworks S15 finally proved its potential by defeating a grid of Europe’s finest drifters en route to a hugely satisfactory victory for Phil Morrison.

 Rarely has the build of a drift car captured the imagination of such an extensive audience. Phil Morrisons Driftworks Spec R S15, Powered by a custom mounted 2JZ GTE 3.0 lump from a Toyota Supra, was a monster project. Documented on www.driftworks.com, members of Europe’s largest drifting community were afforded unrivalled behind the scenes access into the toils and tribulations of taking on such a powerful puzzle.  

Roll the clock forward approximately 20 months and Phil Morrison & team are setting up camp beneath the grassy hollows of Lydden Hill Circuit, Kent, preparing for another days seat time in what is still a learning period for the ex-UK drifting champ. Although the DW S15 appeared to perform out of the box at its maiden event in Silverstone, the subsequent events were often ended prematurely in the early stages of competition or during adverse weather conditions. Not the case at Lydden however, Phil was here to take on the Prodrift European Series at a power hungry circuit under ideal blue skies and autumn sunshine.

Tentative practice sessions were followed by aggressive qualifying runs and it was evident that Morrisons creation was well suited to the undulating curves of the challenging Lydden Hill Circuit. Up-shifting to fourth gear for the fast & blind final corner the DW S15 spewed spectacular plumes of federal tyre smoke as it passed the Prodrift judging position. This power was matched with precise control as the Driftworks equipped suspension was tested to the maximum through the variety of technical corners that preceded the smokey section. The result was a credible 6^th highest qualifier and a solid Top 16 starting point for the afternoon battles.

 Japanese driver Kawabata was unfortunate to draw the short straw to face Morrison in the first round of elimination battles. His S15 appeared to be giving trouble at the start line but once rectified could not match the speed and performance of the orange DW Nissan.  At Top 8 Morrison faced Prodrift veteran Mike Deane. Deane had been on top form all day, qualifying fourth and consistently nailing his runs in the Dalton Tyres Nissan S13. Following a close Run#1, Morrison turned the screw for Run #2 and edged out a 6-4 advantage that would see him through to the Semi Finals.  

Awaiting the DW Nissan in the Semi Finals was a plucky E30 M3 BMW of Irelands John O’Connell. O’Connell was coming off a successful rookie Pro season in Ireland and his performance en route to the semis had been solid. His day was about to end in a cloud of Federal smoke however as Phil Morrison once again delivered spectacular, aggressive runs to claim another Irish scalp and with it cement his place in the Round 5 Final. 

  From the other half of the draw, another big-power drift project had been making steady progress. 2008 Irish Champion James Deane in his newly RB26 equipped Silvia was testing this setup for the very first time and seemed to be adapting well as he took his place in the Final. Two big power, hybrid, S-body Nissans were ready to battle for final time in the 2008 Prodrift European Season.

Whilst both cars appeared to be evenly matched in terms of weight and power, nobody could have predicted how close this final would be. Following an alternating 6-4 Battle #1, the same result was recorded in the first of the sudden death runs meaning that both cars would require a third battle to determine the winner. Following 5 minute rules for tyre changing and engine cooling, battle #3 was where Morrison threw caution to the wind and delivered his most impressive run of the day. Aggressively attacking into turn 1, inches from Deane through the hairpin turn 2 and glued to the Nexen Nissan across the finish line the Driftworks S15 had finally popped its podium cherry – this was to be Morrison’s day.

  Reflecting on the victory Phil Morrison explained his satisfaction in taking this victory. The tireless work and patience of colleagues, friends and loved ones were the first on his list to thank. His Federal tyres, although punished repeatedly, had stood up to the demanding circuit & his favourite new toy, the Driftworks S15 (now displaying some battle scars) had passed the Prodrift test with honours. When pushed on whether this performance was a sign of things to come in 2009, Morrison grinned and merely said he was happy to be back out having fun at top level events. Don’t let the grin deceive you, Lydden Hill should act as a warning to fellow competitors. Morrison has raised the bar. His 2008 off-season will certainly be less frantic than previous years however his competitors might just be considering what they must achieve in a 6 month period in order cling to the quarter panels of the Driftworks S15.  Images courtesy of Ross @ www.doristars.com . Check out site for additional images and full event gallery.     

Taking place on November 15/16th at a purpose built course in the Port of Long Beach, California, USA, the Red Bull World Drifting Championship will gather the worlds best 32 drifters in a unique drifting competition. Formula Drift USA will act as hosts and governing body to the event and the Top 16 competitors from the 2008 Formula Drift Championship will receive automatic invitations to compete.  Current and past champions from the world’s top professional drifting series will also receive an exclusive invitation to showcase their skills and compete for the largest drifting prize purse ever offered.

Representing Prodrift, & Europe, will be a team of previous and current Champions. Formula Drift resident Darren MCNamara (IRL) will be present driving his Falken Tyres/Sears Auto Saturn Sky. McNamara will be joined by 2008 European Champion James Deane (IRL,Nexen Silvia S14) and the Rockstar Energy Corolla of Eric O’Sullivan (Irl). Also joining the Irish team will be Nordic drift superstar Fredric Asbo (Nor) in his Japan Auto Toyota Supra.

The Red Bull  World Championships is being hailed as the most important drifting competition in the history of this sport and for such a strong European team to be in attendance in its debut year underlines the significance of the Prodrift European Series as a genuine batlle ground for serious sideways talent.

For more information on the red Bull Drifting World Championship see http://www.prodriftseries.com/ , http://www.formulad.com/ .