Paul ‘Smokey’ Smith managed to secure the 2012 Maxxis British Drift Super-Pro Championship despite performing most of the weekend in his team-mate Shane Lynch’s car. Smith had some mechanical problems in practice on Saturday and lucky for him, Lynch offered him the chance to use his Nissan Silvia V8 S15 for the remainder of the competition.
Smith safe in the knowledge that all he needed to do to win the Championship was qualify, obliged on Sunday’s Judgement Day. Smith though would ultimately have to withdraw from the competition at the ‘great eight’ stage after being drawn to battle alongside Lynch. Lynch would progress unchallenged as it was his car that Smith was using.
Lynch would move onto a semi-final battle with James Fuller after the Pro class driver had seen off the attentions of local lad, David Waterworth in a previous round. Both Waterworth and Fuller collided at the bottom of SEAT Curves with the Arbroath man’s car coming off worse and forcing him to retire.
In the other semi-final, Dutch drifter Remmo Niezen would battle against his fellow Team Falken team-mate and 2011 BDC Champion, Matt Carter. Niezen came into this weekend with a good reputation and underlined that in the semi-final by pressurising Carter all the way before securing his place in the final. In the other semi-final a split decision by the judges gave Fuller a close fought victory over Lynch.
Lynch however would sample some podium success this weekend after seeing off Carter in the 3rd and 4th place battle. Carter blazed off the circuit in the opening battle giving the Boyzone star a massive advantage heading into the 2nd battle. Lynch held his nerve despite some fantastic pressure from Carter to take the remaining podium spot.
So heading into the final two runs of Judgement Day, it would be a Pro driver drifting-off against the vastly experienced European drifting machine of Remmo Niezen. Fuller held it together remarkably well in the first run, but the Dutchman was applying severe pressure. With one more run remaining, both drivers flew into the first corner literally inches from each other. Fuller who had performed admirably all weekend would eventually spin at the bottom of SEAT Curves leaving Niezen to take his first-ever BDC win at Knockhill.
Knockhill Events Director Stuart Gray said:
“Apart from some tricky weather conditions and a bitterly cold wind, we are delighted by both the turn out for the event and the entertainment on offer from the BDC competitors today. They always put on a fantastic show and today’s event was no different.
“I’d obviously like to thank all of the show car owners’ for helping make today such a success. Also to the Vauxhall Drivers’ Club for securing yet another Knockhill Car Club Championship win today. But most of all to the spectators, staff, competitors and officials at the BDC for bringing ‘Judgement Day’ here to Knockhill.”
For all the latest reaction and championship standings after the final round of the BDC season please check-out the official BDC website.