It might be 2012 and everybody is looking forward to a new season, but 2011 was an awesome year, Andy Arnott helps us to reminisce. The British Drift Championship is getting bigger and better every year, what are your thoughts on the 2011 season?
My thoughts at the begining of the season is this was my dream to be a part of something which is pretty dam awsome, and getting bigger and better each year. Half way through the season, I was ready to throw in the towel, however sat back and practiced, and practiced, and manage to overcome some major problems with Comp nerves only in the final two rounds.
What did you have to do to prepare for the season?
Well where do I start, i brought “Silvia” my S14 back in Aug 2010, and was completly standard right the way through to when i required a replacement engine, having messed up at Norfork licencing day in Nov / December 2010, it was something which was looking like it was not going to happen for me to become a part of BDC.
So Garage D, re-built the car, in a hope to make the licencing day on 7th Feb at Silverstone, giving 2 or 3 weeks for the guys at Garage D to do there thing. Silvia had a couple of problems with the mapping and a fault which was later found to be a blocked pipe caused her to cough and loose mid range power on the day. however i still managed to gain a semi pro licence at Silverstone.
The preperations for the car, and the pressure then was on to have everything built and ready for round 1. Turning a total standard car through to a full spec Drift car.
What was your favorite round this year?
Knockhill Race Cirucit.
Worst round this year?
Donnington Round 1 – Comp nerves got the better of me. Practice session found me not completing a single lap, due to others spinning, and qualifying went terribly wrong.
What was your highlight of the season?
Highlight of the season, hitting that cliff at knockhill, and managing to qualify 9th, which showed my comp nerves i had suffered from for the whole season was finally starting to go away into the back of my mind..
What are your plans for next year?
Setting up a full blown drift team, SSDA, with two other drivers – Jamie Kenyon and Ashley Stevens.
SSDA Drift Team will be the one to watch. We are currently building 3 Nissan S-bodies to take on the BDC in 2012. Have a look over at our facebook page SSDA Drift Team
Who do you think is the driver to watch in 2012?
My choice of drivers for the 2012 season is
Ash Wand Willis – Semi Pro
Jamie Kenyon – Pro’s
Ashley Stevens – Super Pro’s.
My thanks for all that have made it possible go out to -
Julian & Walton @ Garage D
Rich Newton @ DB Automotive
Paul Cheshire @ S-Body Automotive
My brother from another mother & Pitcrew member – James Meaney
Also everyone who has made it possible for me to get into such a growing and exciting competetive series.
Pictures c/o Doristars, Trackblog, Devil Drift, Voodoo Kitten and Jordan Butters of Drifted.com
