For Rob Whyte, the affair was far from being won. Contending in the last event of the season with Bullet Cars, a team supported technically by Motul, he nevertheless brilliantly clinched the Australian drift champion title at Barbagallo Raceway. Yet he wasn't spared technical problems with his Nissan 350 Z. This hindered Rob who came only 10th instead of 1st or 2nd as usual, and then he discovered that his car was losing power. He nevertheless managed to enter the top-32 and win his first battle. In the top-16, his contender committed a mistake allowing him to pass into the top-8. There he was pitted against the day's favourite, Danny Vahoumis, while his Nissan was losing more and more power. The duel was so close that the judges ordered a re-run: 'I pushed the Zed to the limit and won the battle,' exclaimed Rob. To clinch the title, there was just one battle left, where he had to face up to the fearsome contender, Nick Couson. 'My mind was entirely focussed on winning the championship. I gave all I could and managed to win the duel!' Although he had bagged the championship, there was still one battle for him for the day's win, against his rival and 2011 title holder, Luke Fink. 'Taking the win was no longer important, but I wanted the spectators to have their money's worth. The combat was very close. The car couldn't stand it any more but I continued flat out!' The judges asked for a re-run but Rob's car, worn out, refused to start... Rob therefore left the win to his contender: a modest concession compared with the joy of holding the championship title!
Standings
01// Rob Whyte, 386 pts - Motul
02// Luke Fink, 378 pts
03// Ben Putell, 245 pts
Photo credits: Scott Nelso tprmedia
