Prodrift round1: Fermoy
Its been a while since I had been to a Prodrift event. I kind of never got around to getting to one and with the new site its given me a chance to start going to them and covering them. In Ireland there seems to be a massive division between people who are into drifting and drag racing and whatever, in my opinion Im glad to go any event that has a tasty looking four wheel or two wheel vehicle doing something worthwhile to watch or look at. I didn’t really know what to expect with Prodrift but to be honest it was pretty damn good. We ended up coming in late and the event had already gone underway as we were too cool in the car park taking pictures of Wolfrace katanas but we will talk more about that next week. I was taking pictures from the sideline a little intimidated by the actual size and numbers of people who are going to these events now. Drifting and the entire Japanese car scene, well the Irish car scene as a whole for that matter is still growing. Even though the super duper recession has come to play and ruin the fun for everyone, I was surprised to see how many people are still splashing out and are down for the scene. Good stuff. In fairness the drift competitions have come along way from the days of rosegreen where every have a go hero was on the track in sierras and omegas(which was cool) but this is a lot more structured. Its pretty impressive.
This years round one kicked of where it had finished last year, Fermoy, County Cork. I had been told the track had been revamped for this years course which had over 80 competitors. Sadly Im too cool and had no idea about this so we only got to witness the main events rounds. Sorry but next time it should be better covered including the ams.
I got really excited when I was greeted with the back Dan Moreheads s14. Proper missile style which you just have to love.
D-macs trueno was all over the place. It had been damaged and even though its missing parts this cars never fails to look amazing.
The back end had seen better days. But Im a big fan of the missile style so I was still loving this car regardless of the damage.
I took a stroll around the pit area to check out what was around. Some serious cars are competing these days and the Irish standards seem to have risen dramatically.
Japanese Nissan goodness.
Anthony’s from a&s imports r32 which is also powered by an rb26. The car looks amazing. They may not have wanted that, but with the missing light and the meisters it had some seriously nice stance and aggresive looks going on.
Shane O Sullivans rps13 was looking amazing.
Christy carpenters delicious RB26 powered s15 and James Deane’s sr20 powered FD-3S sit comfortably under the Nexen Tent in the sun. Two of the nicest cars competing at the event.
Michael Sheehan’s Drift scared s13 was looking very cool. After a browse around we decided to hit the track for some coverage of why we were here.
The track itself was cool. Very open with a nice layout for the crowd. The crowd was packed with eager spectators. The only downside seemed to be the pit area which was behind the main building.
Conor Lenihan going top speed but failed to beat Deane to progress to the top 8.
John Paul McCarthy in his borrowed Bmw was beaten by Micheal Sheehan.
MIke Fitzferalds RB26 powered s13 making a nice exit after his victory over Donal Garry to advance to the great eight. Check this cool video of testing at rosegreen. This car is amazing.
Dmacs trueno just didn’t seem to be on form after the crash but it still made for a good photo!
Christy carpenters s15 looks amazing on the track its such a clean looking car. Christy couldnt hold off 2009 champion MIke Deane.
Kevin O connells rps13 was looking good for photos. Its enjoyable to be so close to the cars and to pick rubber out of your mouth.
Alan Lenhihan’s ProDrift Hankook S13.5 being chased by up and coming rookie Kevin O connells rps13. Both drivers put on a superb show but Lenhihan was the one to progress forward.
Dan Moreheads s14 was putting on a nice show with its missile style rear end. Sadly he didnt progress over this battle with Sinnotts hachi.
Nigel colfer at hight speed battling Gavin Lenihan.
Sadly Gavin couldnt beat Nigel Colfer who progressed to the final eight.
Alan Sinnot controlling his Nissan powered Toyota battling Nigel Colfer for a place in the Finals.
Alan Lenihan couldnt match Colfers performance on the day.
Lenihan exited the competition and Colfer advanced to the Finals where he would battle Deane.
The first of the semi finals saw James Deane battle Shane O Sullivan but Sullivan couldnt hold it to Cork Local Deane for the round 1 final.
Alan Sinnot controlling his Nissan powered Toyota battling Nigel Colfer for a place in the Final
Battling for the remaining Podium Positions were Alan Sinnott and Shane O Sullivan.
Shane O Sullivan pushed too hard in this battle clipping Sinnotts Hachi and also almost flattening me hahaha.
After running like a little girl I took a few more snaps of Sinnott taking 3rd over O Sullivans s-chassis.
After the batteries dying right at the end of the competition I managed to snap two photos of Deanes car in the finals and 
And this really shitty snap of the announced winner. The camera had to enjoy itself and die just at the very end which was a bad time but at least we managed to snap something.
The FInal results were
1. James Deane RX7(sr22det)
2. Nigel Colfer S13(1JZ)
3. Alan Sinnott AE86(SR20det)
4. Shane O Sullivan S13.
Hopefully next time we will cover this event with alot more structure. I didn’t even know I was going to be allowed onto the track to take pictures as we had driven up so late. Thanks to Dave from MIJ for hooking me up with a jacket and getting me a pass. Hope you enjoy the pictures as they were taken with a borrowed camera which died just like mine on the day. For a day of total disorganization on our part we did ok. From dieing cameras to walking in halfway through the even we tried the best we could.!! Im sorry this review wasnt as intense with terms and words and other stuff which was in many of the other Prodrift reads. Next time it should be, as the website is only starting out it will take some time to get us going smoothly. Stay tuned for round 2 and for other stuff coming up real soon on the site.
Peace
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