Piloting the 450bhp RB-25 powered Nissan Silvia S15 with distinctive Monster Energy livery, Shane O’Sullivan battled hard to clinch victory at the Teesside Autodrome in Middlesbrough, on a circuit which combines fast flowing corners with technical sections to test drivers to the max.  Hot on Shane’s wheels were Steve ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni, who snatched the final podium position, while Paul ‘Smokey’ Smith claimed fourth.  The Team Japspeed trio were all running Maxxis MAZ1 Drift tyres, which provided superb grip and were more than a match for the tricky conditions.

“This is a brilliant start to the season for us, probably the best performance we’ve had in three years, and Maxxis tyres have proved to be the top choice,” said delighted Team Japspeed boss Paul McCallum.

Maxxis-sponsored SATS Motorsport, also using the MAZ1 Drift tyre, made a brilliant start to their 2012 campaign too.  The team is leading the constructor’s title race after Steve Moore made it on to the second step of the podium in the Super Pro class and Wayne Keeber and Mark Luney posted top ten finishes.

With a full grid of 96 of Europe’s most skilful exponents of drifting – 32 drivers competing in each of the Semi Pro, Pro and Super Pro classes – plus the prestigious Team/Constructors challenge and the Hard Charger Award, the 2012 Maxxis British Drift Championship promises to deliver better drivers, improved cars and the very best in drifting action.

For this, the fifth year of the UK’s premier drift series, the rounds are being staged over two days, with practice and qualifying on the Saturday followed by open practice on the Sunday morning.  After a ‘meet and greet’, when fans are invited to get up close and personal with their favourite drivers and cars, it’s drifting all the way throughout the afternoon.

The organisers want the Maxxis British Drift Championship to be a breeding ground for the sport, so winning drivers get the chance to ‘step up’ into the next class as they improve their skills and develop their cars.  This set up maintains the excitement for the fans, as they follow the exploits of their favourite drivers, and makes for strong competition between the less experienced drivers so that new blood can come through the ranks.

Maxxis is demonstrating its support with the Cash Rewards scheme, an initiative designed to help drivers met the costs associated with racing competitively which recognises podium triumphs during 2012 using Maxxis tyres.  Full terms and conditions about the Maxxis incentive are available at www.maxxis.co.uk/cash-rewards-for-drivers

Round two of the Maxxis British Drift Championship is at the Norfolk Arena in King’s Lynn on June 1-2 and then the series returns to the Teesside Autodrome (29/30 June-1 July) – for a different track layout and the launch of the Team Triple Drift Event – before heading to Lydden Hill in Canterbury, Kent (11-12 August).  At Silverstone on September 2 the Super Pro drivers will take to the track as the main attraction of TRAX, the UK’s largest car show, and then it’s up to Scotland for the season finale at Knockhill, the drivers’ favourite track, on September 29-30.

Maxxis high performance tyres, including the MAZ1 Drift, are available through the UK’s largest tyre distributor, Stapleton’s Tyre Services.  For further information contact Stapleton’s on 0870 60 54321 or visit www.stapletons-tyres.co.uk or take a look around the rest of this website.

Get up to speed with the latest news from Britain’s premier drift series at www.thebritishdriftchampionship.co.uk