DRIFT MATSURI PRE-EVENT INFO
DRIVER PRE EVENT INFORMATION
DRIVER ARRIVAL INFORMATION
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WELCOME TO NZ WINTER DRIFT MATSURI!
Hey guys and girls, thank you for entering the event!
We are super excited to be heading back to Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park for the first time in 8 months!
Please read the driver information below carefully as it will go over the process for registration, scrutineering, drift sections and how things will operate over the course of the day/weekend.
- Drifting will start around 9:45am
- Lunch break will be around 12:30pm and will go for 40-60minutes while the FAST PASS Cruise Session is on (See Tab for more info)
- Track 3 will run til around 4:30pm-5:00pm. Track 2 will run til 5:30pm pending visibility with available daylight for a twilight session.
- Venue is locked at around 6:30-7:00pm, so please ensure you are out before then.
If you have any questions on the day simply come talk to one of the crew and ask for Chris Howard or Nicky Bartlett. Alternatively, flick the NZ Drift Matsuri page a message for a more prompt reply leading up as our emails get bombarded.
This page is designed as a reference to check back on leading up to the event.
PLEASE CLICK ON EACH TAB TO EXPAND INFORMATION
PRE-EVENT
Driver Waiver
Before the event it is crucial to sign the online driver waiver, this is created to save you all time on the day and streamlines the process much faster than the stone age paper indemnity forms. To fill this out please click the button below to be redirected.
EDIT: Some users are having technical issues with the link, if this happens to you click the link instead
Car Safety & Presentablitity Standards
Ensure your car is up to standard before the event, you were all emailed in your registration confirmation a link to our safety standards which we hope you have looked over. If you haven't, it may pay to check now as if your car isnt up to standard you may lose valuable time on track rectifying any problems which may arrive in scrutineering.
ARRIVAL PROCESS/TIMES
Gate Access / Where to go
Friday entrants will be entering the venue off centennial drive (end nearest broadlands road before the intersection)
All Satuday/Sunday entrants (both tracks) will be accessing the venue off of Broadlands road through the main gate.
Address for google maps: 463 Broadlands Road, Taupo.
Arrival Times
The desired time for arrival for drivers is between 7:15am - 8:30am across all days. This gives us time to start setting up the gate and our lists each morning before you arrive. We appreciate your patience.
On Saturday/Sunday, we ask if you can drive around the back of the business park to absorb congestion off the road - See site map
All drivers must be in before 8:30am to sign in, have your cars scrutineered and be ready for drivers briefing around 9:15am.
Crew Allocation
Drivers are allocated 1x complimentary weekend pass with your entry. All others must pay the standard gate fee. Ideally they will be in your tow vehicle or close by. However, if your pit crew are not with you, this is fine. You will have your one allocation marked off against your name once they arrive.
SIGN IN / REGISTRATION
Please ensure you have signed the driver waiver above before the day to save time. This will only need to be completed once and covers you for the entirety of the event. Bring your drivers license with you as it will need to be sighted.
Friday Entrants Sign-In
Fridays driver sign in will be done by the pit marshall tower on track 3 from around 8:00am til 9:00am
Early Weekend Sign-In (Friday Afternoon)
From 4PM ish Friday we will be running an early sign in and scrutineer time block for those arriving early for the weekend, we encourage this to streamline the process on the day. This will go til roughly 6pm once the track goes dark.
Those wiith garages can get your pits setup Friday afternoon, those without who will be pitting outside, if you want to leave their trailers and cars overnight outside that is also an option for you. The track will have regular security checks overnight.
Weekend Entrants Sign-In
Weekend entrants (both Track 2 and Track 3) upon arrival must head to the Tauhara Suite located above the garages for sign in from 8:00am til 9:00am. You can either do this before or after scrutineering. If you signed in on Friday and received your driver band, you will not be required to sign in on Saturday/Sunday - you must however attend drivers briefing each day you are entered
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Pro tip: If you have spare hands and can have someone take your car through scrutineering for you, have them do that while you sign in.
SCRUTINEERING AREAS & TIMES
It is COMPULSORY for ALL drivers to have their cars scrutineered before the event. This only needs to be completed once over the course of the weekend, then it is up to you to maintain that standard.
In the event of an accident you will be required to have your car checked over once again before going back out on to the track the following day/later in that day.
FRIDAY SCRUTINEERING
This will be done on Track 3 side, please unload your car in the pit or grass car park area and come find us.
Scrutineering slots for Friday are 7:45am til 8:55am
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SATURDAY/SUNDAY SCRUTINEERING
All drivers will be scrutineered on Track 2 in the scrutineering shed located near the entry of the Track 2 pit area. See Site Map.
Scrutineering slots for the weekend start approx 7:45am til 8:55am
Track 2 Drivers:
Please unload car in your pit area or allocated pit shed and make your way to the scrutineer shed in your car.
Track 3 Drivers:
You have TWO options on the day
1) After sign in, you may make your way over to Track 3 with your tow vehicles/trailers, unload and then drive your car over via return road to the scrutineering shed.
or
2) If we are able to complete a full scrutineering check on your car (all doors, bonnet/boot to open freely and car able to be started) you may leave your car on the trailer for scrutineering.
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Those who do not arrive on time for scrutineering
You will be fined $40 (payable in the Tauhara Suite at Drift Matsuri Sign In) and will have to wait until a qualified Matsuri tech is available to go over your car. Please note: this may be half an hour up to a couple hours - there are no gaurantees on when a tech will become available, no refunds will be given for your arriving late.
DRIFT SESSIONS / groups
Please click on your track for relevant info
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TRACK 2
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TRACK 3
Track 2 Drift Sessions will be run in groups of 20-25 on track, with a stop/start point out on track to manage flow through the section.
Please read: During these sessions it is up to THE DRIVERS to ensure you don't do anything stupid which results in additional down time for other drivers. Dial it back to 60-70% for the first sessions so you get the feel of the track and then go for gold. To often people don't drive to the track conditions and results in them spinning out unneccessarily and needing recovery. When you multiply this over numerous drivers in a short period of time, this equals frustrated drivers which look to us as if it is our fault despite it being on you, don't be that dude.
Drift Sessions/Groups
Those who have attended Drift Matsuri in the past will know that in the morning/first sessions we will pick out the high power cars from the line first to get a faster rotation going into the next session. The theory is that these cars will blast through their tyres in a matter of laps, having them come into the pits faster, which inturn means we can get the next lot of cars out there much sooner.
These morning drift sessions are on a floating timed system, meaning sessions will vary between 10-15 minutes pending how many cars are on the track. This eliminates there only being a couple of cars on track near the end of the session and having another 5 minutes remaining.
Once the sessions get a good rotation going, we will open this up to allow a constant 25 cars on track for a more "open pit" feel. If you see pit lane empty just drive up to the control flag tower and wave out, we will give you a thumbs up/go ahead with going out or waiting. Please do not just cruise out onto the track.
When leaving pitlane onto Track 2
Please place yourself back abit and have a clear view of the track and oncoming cars, when you get a clear way it is essential you hustle onto the track.
Tandem/Solo Lane
As mentioned, we have a stop/start point on track before the drift section, here you will be able to line up in either a "Solo" lane where you will have some space between you and the next driver.
In the "Tandem" lane you can be released in TWO to FOUR cars in your tandem group, please indicate to the Matsuri release staff how many you want to go with.
Recovery:
We have an excellent recovery team who don't muck around, so if a car can be recovered quickly rest assured it will be.
If you are leaking fluids please drive on the grass with your hazards on, or alternatively just stop in a safe place to the side of the track (where applicable)
Driver Etiquette:
Please respect all staff & drivers while on track and in the pits.
If you have a shed, this does not entitle you to push infront of other people, if there is a line either wait for it to clear or drive around the back of the sheds and get your spot in the line the same as everyone else.
Disclaimer: We have selected some drift taxi's to be able to continue taking hot laps uninterrupted at this event.
Crashes:
In the event you do crash into someone, or someone crashes into you. Please understand this stuff does happen, ensure both of you are safe and okay. If you or the other driver are clearly at fault, do the right thing make arrangements to help pay for repairs. We take excessive measures to try avoid this happening, but if it does happen we are not liable. If your car is unable to move under its own power, please get your crew to get your trailer.
Pit Exit/Pit Entry
Pit Exit = Where you exit the pits to drive onto the track
Pit Entry = Where you exit the track to enter pit lane
When exiting the pits onto the track, please keep to the right so those on track can see you clear as day.
Remember that you may not turn around on track and try to enter pit lane from the same place you exited, you must drive the whole way around and enter in the correct place.
Track 3 Drift Sessions will be run in groups of 10-13 on track through out the weekend.
Briefing for Track 3 will be at Track 3 - if you're a Beginner or Amateur driver don't expect to go out on Track 3 if you've gone to the wrong briefing.
Please only line up as far as the pit tower to avoid congestion
During the first drift sessions, if you are a confident driver please dial it back to 60-70% to get the feel of the track. To often people don't drive to the morning track conditions or their ability and results in avoidable spins and needing recovery. When you multiply this over numerous drivers in a short period of time, this equals frustrated drivers which look to us as if it is our fault despite it being on the drivers.
Beginners
If you are a beginner please come to us in the morning and we can try group you accordingly. See Track 3 crew for any questions
Drift Sessions/Groups
After drivers briefing, Track 3 drivers will be asked to line up in pitlane. When the line reaches the pit lane tower, please remain in your pit bay until this group has been released. This is to avoid congestion, allowing drivers to exit the track without issue.
These morning drift sessions are on a floating timed system, meaning sessions will vary between 10-15 minutes pending how many cars are on the track. This eliminates there only being a couple of cars on track near the end of the session and having another 5 minutes remaining, eating up limited track time.
Once the sessions get a good rotation going and their arent many drivers on track just drive up to the control flag tower and wave out, we will give you a thumbs up/go ahead with going out or waiting. Please do not just cruise out onto the track.
Recovery:
We have an excellent recovery team who don't muck around, so if a car can be recovered quickly rest assured it will be.
If you spin onto the grass, please drive along the grass for 3-5 seconds to rattle any debris off onto the grass instead of the track
If you are leaking fluids please drive on the grass with your hazards on, or alternatively just stop in a safe place to the side of the track (where applicable)
Driver Etiquette:
Please respect all staff & drivers while on track and in the pits. Unless cleared with pit tower prior to the session, no tandem driving is permitted. Dont be a dumb ass and get on a beginners door trying to get "battle practice" in. IF you want to do that, make friends with someone during the day, clear it with whoever is in pit tower and give everyone else plenty of room for your enjoyability and theirs.
Pro tip: Do not enter the drift section until 10 seconds has passed since the car in front of you entered the section. This gives the person in front time to spin & recover & not slow you down.
If you are a confident amateur level driver, please give plenty of space between you and the next person incase they spin in front of you.
If you do crash into someone, or someone crashes into you. Please understand this stuff does happen, ensure both of you are safe and okay. If you or the other driver are clearly at fault, do the right thing make arrangements to help pay for repairs. We take excessive measures to try avoid this happening, but if it does happen we are not liable.
Pit Exit/Pit Entry
Pit Exit = Where you exit the pits to drive onto the track
Pit Entry = Where you exit the track to enter pit lane
When exiting the pits onto the track, please keep to the right so those on track can see you clear as day.
Remember that you may not turn around on track and try to enter pit lane from the same place you exited, you must drive the whole way around and enter in the correct place.
TRAILER PARKING
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TRACK 2
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TRACK 3
Track 2 Trailer Parking
Once you have unloaded your car, please take your trailer to the trailer park located at the far end of Track 2 pits (this is sign posted) Please line these up in an orderly fashion and give others enough room to be able to get theirs out without hassle. See "Site Map"
Please note: these are left in this area at your own risk, so if you can get a tow coupling lock or similar we would recommend it. The area is only accessible via the pits and not general publics vehicles but better safe than sorry.
Track 3 Trailer Parking
Once you have unloaded your car, please take your trailer and park this up in the grass car park area backing the Track 3 pits
Position them in an orderly manner and respect other peoples space. Allowing them plenty of room to move around.
Please note: Trailers are left in this area at your own risk, so if you can get a tow coupling lock or similar we would recommend it. The area is only accessible via the pits and not general publics vehicles but better safe than sorry.
LUNCH TIME FAST PASS CRUISE
During the usual scheduled lunch break of the event on Saturday and Sunday, we will have the increasingly popular "FAST PASS" cruise session on the international circuit (both tracks). This is a cruise session where you can take your friends, family or sponsors out on the track for a drive or let them drive your car (if you trust them) in a controlled environment. This is speed limited to 120-130kmh for the safety of yourself and others including kids in other cars.
This is open to the public to purchase tickets to get out on track for a more inclusive experience over the weekend.
No safety equipment is required other than a safety belt or harness. All cars must be either scrutineered or have a wof or rego and good tyres.
FAST PASS is FREE for Drift Matsuri entrants.
All passengers must go through the same process with purchasing a passenger band and sign online indemnity same as any other session, if they are going to drive they will need to come grab a FAST PASS Driver Band and be briefed around 11:00am in the Tauhara Suite.
Track 2 Entrants will be released from the Track 2 Pits and will return to the Track 2 pits once the session is finished. Drivers may pull back into the pits at any time and take someone else.
Track 3 Entrants will be released from the Track 3 Pits and will return to the Track 3 pits once the session is finished. Drivers may pull back into the pits at any time and take someone else.
PIT AREAs
Please keep your pit areas tidy whether you are on Track 2 or Track 3.
Track 3 has limited space and will naturally overflow into the grass car park area.
Dropped Oil or Liquid in your pit?
We appreciate prompt cleaning of any liquid spill. If needed, come see us for oil soak, it's free for this as a health and safety measure.
Pit Crew Vehicles in Pits
You may have your support vehicle and your drift car in your pit bay. No additional pit crew cars need to stay in here, please park them in the standard carpark.
Please leave your pit area as you found it, if you require a broom to sweep something up come and see a crew member.
Used Tyre Canvas'
Take your used tyres with you and dispose of them elsewhere/correctly. Doing so at the event is a bad look for us and we have no issues naming and shaming people that abuse this.
"PARTS DROP OFFS" & "LUNCH DROP OFFS"
Those of you who require "parts dropped off" or lunches, you will need to collect them from the main gate or the person dropping them off will have to purchase a ticket to get in.
We werent born yesterday, everybody tries to use this excuse to get free entry and no it doesnt work.
PASSENGER BANDS
Passenger bands are available from the "Sign In" room in the Tauhara Suite on Track 2 as pictured in the site map below. These are $20 flat per person and covers them for the duration of the event.
We don't have a set "age limit" for passengers, but this is around 14 years of age. If you have any queries about this get a staff member to check how the child fits into the seat and safety gear. Minors under 16 must have their parents sign the online waiver for them.
Hand Helds in car i.e. phones & go-pro etc
We will not stop your passengers from filming in your car. But we would appreciate if they can fix the device to their hands. We pick up multiple smashed phones off the track per event, and no we wont stop the track for them to retrieve it.
Your responsibility
- It is your responsibility to inform passengers to not put their arms or hands out the window, if this continues to happen from your car, you will be given a warning and then stood down for an hour or two.
- Show the passenger how to undo their harness and get out of the car quickly in the event of a fire
- If you can have the passenger window half way up this would be appreciated
To save time, have your passengers sign the online waiver, either click the button below or copy the following link and send it to them