The 2016–’17 Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Championship will go pay-per-view to bring fans the best possible production this season. Link Engine Management will again back the live streaming service and championship, after nearly 85,000 people tuned in from around the world last season.
Link ECU joined in 2016 as live streaming partners, and have enjoyed the widespread success of the live stream each round. Marketing Manager Rob Wiley said their commitment to supporting the live stream will only help to grow drifting in New Zealand.
“As a global company we are involved in all types of motorsport events around the world,” said Wiley.
“Having traveled the world, we can certainly say that D1NZ is one of the best run drifting series with some of the best cars and drivers. So as a proud New Zealand company we are delighted to help showcase D1NZ not only to our fellow kiwis but also to the rest of the world.”
D1NZ Managing Director Brendon White said the move to pay-per-view will ensure the financial viability of the series for the future. With a pricing plan already laid out, White said he believes the package is one of the most competitive in online motorsport coverage.
“Fans will now be able to buy a season pass for just $50.00 online or a mere $10.00 per event. Fans will be available to purchase passes from the 16th of November,” said White.
“The final round at Pukekohe Park Raceway last season saw over 15,000 people tuned in live from home. A huge portion of that was from the Auckland and Waikato regions where the event was.
“If we want drifting to grow we need to ensure we don’t lose the revenue to keep the sport alive. We have not increased driver fees this year nor gate prices as a whole, but we have increased the show element."
The forthcoming season will see a whole new production team working behind the scenes to bring the best show to people’s homes. D1NZ Marketing and Business Development Manager Kenny Ruddell said the move towards pay-per-view will raise the bar, and bring the series to new heights in online coverage.
“We want to improve the stream for the fans at home and the thousands that tune in internationally,” said Ruddell.
“Part of that will see qualifying and practice action free-to-air online before the main event stream begins the following day.”
With an emphasis on the show element at the opening round at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium over December 2-3, the added production value will bring the atmosphere trackside to households across the world.
The first round of the Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Championship is supported by the Silver Fern Rally and Stadium Supermoto Cup alongside all sorts of show elements to entertain fans.
2016–’17 Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Championship calendar:
Round 1: Dunedin – Forsyth Barr Stadium – 2-3 December 2016 (Night Event)
Round 2: Feilding – Manfeild Raceway – 6-7 January 2017
Round 3: Tauranga – ASB Baypark Stadium – 24-25 February 2017 (Night Event)
Round 4: North Waikato – Hampton Downs Motorsport Park – 25-26 March 2017
Round 5: Auckland – Pukekohe Park Raceway – 23-24 April 2017 – Grand Final
Round 6: Auckland – Mt Smart Stadium – TBC May 2017 – Teams Champs (Night Event)