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  Luke Fink continued his success from previous years in the series, with the overall first place. Photo Gallery

The Drift Australia series continues to excite and maintains both its grass roots accessibility as well as its professional standing on the racing calendar.

The sole event for Drift Australia this year brought 32 drivers from around the country to battle it out for the title of 2009 champion.

Due to a lack of a major sponsor -- and a change of management -- this was the sole Drift Australia series event this year. But far from being a cut-down format, the weekend was chock full of thrills and spills.

Some rainy periods in the afternoon caught out even experienced drivers on the already challenging Oran Park circuit. The track itself is ideally suited to drifting with several off-camber corners and the notorious concrete barriers along the main straight ending in a tight left-hander. With extra grandstand seating at the end of the straight, the action was easily seen by all.

Luke Fink continued his success from previous years in the series, with the overall first place in this year’s competition. Fink's driving was, as always, hard to fault and combined with his bullet proof Holford Motors S14 Silvia he was a strong performer throughout the weekend.

Coming a close second was drifting newcomer Simon Podlewski in the Toyo 180SX. Referring to his drag racing background Simon commented to an enthusiastic crowd that "this drifting makes drag racing look weak".

Third place was awarded to Jake 'Drift Squid' Jones who was competing in his first Drift Australia outing. It was an amazing achievement for a total newcomer who paid for his car himself, going to show that the series is well and truly open to competitors at any level.

The new management team also announced at the awards ceremony that next year will feature five events throughout the year. Word is that there will be rounds in Brisbane, Sydney, and Perth, and either Adelaide or Melbourne with the final back in Sydney in September. Bring on 2010!