The Valvoline D1NZ National Drifting Championship has confirmed its calendar dates for the 2021 season, including a return visit to the South Island.
The five-round series features the return of two popular venues; Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland and Mike Pero Motorsport Park (also known as Ruapuna) in Christchurch.
The former represents the series opener, held on January 23–24 in the dark, and the latter represents a double-header third and fourth round on March 26–27.
Round two will see the series head to Manfeild in Palmerston North on February 19–21. The final two rounds see Pukekohe surrender its traditional season finale slot, with Tauranga’s Trust Power Baypark getting the finale on May 1–2.
Dates for the Pukekohe event are yet to be confirmed but will take place in April.
The calendar announcement follows a fragmented 2020 season, which saw the D1NZ series navigate various Covid-19 lockdowns — successfully becoming one of the only motosport categories in the world to host a full season.
Valvoline D1NZ National Drifting Championship 2021 calendar
Round 1: Auckland, Mount Smart Stadium, January 23–24
Round 2: Feilding, Manfeild, February 19–21
Round 3/4: Christchurch, Mike Pero Motorsport Park, March 26–27
Round 5: Auckland, Pukekohe Park, April TBA
Round 6: Tauranga, Trust Power Baypark, May 1–2