Team Nexen takes top Drift Allstars honours

Team Nexen Tire Europe drivers Alan Sinnot and Luke Fink dominated the Drift Allstars Europe season opener in Birmingham, taking the top two places. The team, which launched on the Friday before the event, runs on Nexen’s new N8000 tyres. Luis Lopez also joined the two drivers in the Nexen team, which launched on the Friday before the event.

It was evident from the outset in qualifying that Luke Fink in his Nissan Silvia S15 was out to prove that he is a force to be reckoned with in 2012. He was complimentary about the team’s tyre choice: “The forward traction I have with the Nexen Tire allows me to put a good distance between myself and the other car exiting the first turn. Also the smoke I can produce with the power of my Toyota 1JZ engine makes me a favourite with the local crowd”. Fink qualified fourth, with reigning Irish champion Sinnot in 7th and teammate Spanish champion Lopez taking 10th spot in his spare car.

Lopez was first to exit the competition after a small spin in his top 16 run. Sinnot and Fink progressed through their battles, with some difficulties – Sinnot had a big impact with Finnish champion Juha Rintanen in the semi-finals before a mechanical problem ended proceedings for the flying Finn. After a quick repair in the pits, Sinnot took the advantage and progressed to the finals where Fink was waiting in an all Team Nexen final. The battle between the team mates was hard fought and a tough call for the judges. Their first and second runs were neck-and-neck, forcing a decider where Sinnot edged out Fink to take the win.

After the podium celebrations Sinnot spoke to the press and said “This has been an amazing event for the team on its debut and we couldn’t be happier. I have won the Irish title and I want to challenge the best drivers in Europe now. This has been the perfect start to our 2012 campaign.″