HGK Drift Challenge - Europe overtakes USA
HGK Drift Challenge has been succesfully launched with a double win from "Budmat Auto" Drift team HGK Drift Challenge. Piotr Wiecek finished first, David Karkosik second and Chelsea Denofa third, in the anniversary event.
Race weekend started with a practice day on Friday, where we saw that the hairpin concrete wall clad turn four will let us see close and aggressive win battles on Saturday. Three Formula Drift pilots along with champions of 11 different European series, were practicing to the maximum with close battles and even some minor contacts and crashes.
Qualifying on Race day started with dry weather where Piotr Wiecek took first place in Qaulifying, followed by Ingemars Jekabsons in second, Pawel Borkowski in third. Highest qualifying score from our overseas guests was shown by Chelsea DeNofa, who qualified in fourth, The top five was concluded by three-time Latvian Champion Janis Eglite.
By the end of the qualifiying rain changed the days plan and drivers had to adapt to the now wet track. To make matters even worse, newly reconstructed Bikernieki finish straight, is more slippier than the first corner of the track, which made drivers go off track right in front of the spectator grandstands.
From the beginning of Top 16 spectators were there to witness the battles between the skilled drivers. Lithuanian champion Andrius Vasiliauskas lost his battle to Kristaps Bluss from HGK, two-time European vice-champion Janis Eglite lost to Polish ex-champion Pawel Trela. Ingemars Jekabsons, Ivo Cīrulis and Edmunds Erglis also lost their battles in Top16, therefore only Latvian driver who managed his way to Top 8 was Kristaps Bluss.
Top 8 first battle ended with Bluss loss to Piotr Wiecek, DeNofa and Tuerck showed their skill against Trela and Borkowski by winning their battles agianst them. Last Top4 spot was filled by David Karkosik who won against his fellow countryman Bartosz Stolarski. That meant an interesting Top 4 with two Polish "Budmat Auto" pilots against two Formula Drift series pilots.
In the first twin battle of Top 4 DeNofa surprised with a spin in his follow run, which let Wiecek to advance to finals. Second of two Top 4 battles ended with a spin from Ryan Tuerck right before the finish line. After their spins Formula Drift pilots Tuerck and DeNofa showed their skill against each other and showed spectators a great third place battle where Chelsea DeNofa took home the win. The all Polish final was a pleasure to watch with a superclose battles, which ended with a win from Wiecek.
The Top 3 were awarded with impressive prizes from events main sponsors, "Samsonas Transmissions", "Wisefab" and "Motul". After the race drivers from United States and Europe commented that this was an exciting race, great track layout and that they would like to come back for this race next year. ANd they will have this opportunity, because "HGK 10th Anniversary Drift Challange is only the beginning - "HGK Drift Challenge" will return next year with even better lineup from both or even more continents.
HGK Drift Challenge Results:
1. Piotr Wiecek, Poland, Nissan Skyline R34
2. David Karkosik, Poland, Nissan 200SX S14
3. Chelsea Denofa, USA, BMW E92 M3
4. Ryan Tuerck, USA, HGK Kit Car E46