As we've already touched on, round two of the Link ECU D1NZ National Drifting Championship was what they in the business refer to as a 'barn burner'.
Taking place on D1's own custom-built surface at Tauranga's ASB Baypark Stadium, it was an afternoon of close calls and nail-biting 'one more time' re-run decisions.
Click here to watch highlights of battles from the top 16
This set the scene for a perfect evening of top-eight squabbles, with Carl Thompson's spirited challenge against 'Fanga Dan' Woolhouse and a quality battle between Cole Armstrong and Darren Kelly among the highlights.
In championship-land meanwhile, the biggie was Matty Hill's spin while battling Drew Donovan. Having won round one, Hill's championship lead took a hit after he spun while chasing the Cryptopia Supra.
This helped complete a curious top-four, consisting of Donovan, Armstrong, Woolhouse, and four-time former champ Gaz Whiter [pictured below]. On paper Donovan was the odd one out, as the only drifter to not have a championship belt to his name — let alone a round win.
Photo / Maria Panova
Click here to go behind the scenes at Baypark
But you can never underestimate what a home advantage can do, and after Whiter's night ended with mechanical issues and Woolhouse was knocked out, Donovan found himself in the final versing D1NZ's form man.
What followed was one of the most tense battles in recent memory. Check it out above in full highlights of the top eight, top four, and finals, and click here for the full report.