8/8/2006 Drift UK Practice and D1GB Licencing Day (Silverstone).

After months of hassling Glen Horncastle to give me the opportunity to prove myself to the UK drift community the day had finally arrived for me and good friend Mark Johnston to make the short journey from Silverstone village to the circuit in an attempt to secure our D1 professional drift licence.

As 5th Gear presenter Tiff Needell had demonstrated Glens JZZ30 Toyota Soarer was a bit of a monster with the most horsepower in the championship, but after spectating all of the 2006 D1 season so far I was extremely eager to pilot the beast.

The car arrived mid afternoon with special thanks to Andy Barnes and Drift UK organiser Terry Collins, it was time to give the drift scene the kind of commitment I had reserved for my rally career.

 

WHOW and Smoke are the two words that are stamped in my memory of that very special day.

 

After four practice runs and help from my friend Mike Bruus we changed wheels and tyres yet again just in time to line up for the D1 licencing process with a clutch that nearly left me parked in the back of Marks Weston Performance S13 Nissan Silvia before we had started.

Three runs later and I was named as a Professional D1 licence holder, One of three of the thirty drivers to do so with Marks runs looking like a carbon copy of the previous one allowing him to take the top spot of the day.

 

I could never thank Glen Horncastle enough for this incredible opportunity.