Published on September 29th, 2012 | by mrgrumpyninja

Van Gisbergens new slide ride- The Rattla

As some may well be aware, Kiwi Stone Brothers Racing driver Shane Van Gisbergen will try his hand at the fast growing sport of drifting over the summer months thanks to well known motor sport identity Chris Allen, his son Shane and their Rattla Motorsport team. While the program is subject to V8SC commitments, if the grin on his face yesterday is anything to go by, SVG is keen to give a this new challenge a real good go and if yesterday was a form guide, in no time at all will be a real threat.

The weapon for this season is an NZv8 Ford Falcon, customised by Dobson Dyno Tune of Taranaki for drifting and making in excess of 700hp from what I believe is a Nascar derived power plant , all put to the ground via Jerico gearbox and torturing Achilles radial tires.

Shane Allen spent time running mini stocks before spending the last 2 seasons competing in the Pro-Am class of D1NZ National Drifting championship, and will provide assistance and tutoring along with current New Zealand Drift Champion Curt Whittaker. As you can see, time spent on dirt has translated well and the youngster is well on his way to becoming a force.

Current DK2012 Curt Whittaker was out giving Shane some pointers.Where as circuit racer is programmed by instinct and years of experience to keep a car as straight as possible to maintain speed, drifters purposefully break traction and aim to maintain angle and distance of slide relative to speed, as they aim for defined clipping points on a race track. For anyone present, Shanes ultra precise throttle control was immediatly able to be heard, as it directed the roaring green monster.

Shane and Shane after a solid day at the track, both were looking good and only stopped due to the track closing.

Curt Whittaker is currently looking for a naming rights sponsor for the season, so if you are keen to get involved, either send him a message or I can place you in touch with the team. As you can see, this seasons exposure will be like never before.