G1 State Championships - Round 1

The journey to Mallala Motorsport Park was one of intense anticipation, a new team, driver and car combination, how would it perform against some of Australia's best drivers?

Presentation with Team CTS Drift is without doubt an icon in the Australian Drift Championship. Upon arrival the team prepared it's pit garage with team flags, tents and promotional merchandise along with the team transporter it portrays a highly professional image and status among the field.

The day began with the first practice session as a shake down for the new team. After this it was time for Team CTS to give back to its sponsors with a few passenger rides. Tony from Cross Keys Paint & Panel was the lucky one to be strapped in for the ride of his life. He quotes “what a ride, what a weapon, you just don't get the perspective of how fast this car is.”

A field of 42 cars lined up for qualifying, all were aiming for the same goal, top 16 group 1. The Pitbull’s first qualify run was an outstanding effort, with smooth precise driving and perfect lines, there was only one more thing to do - back it up.

With nerves settled Simon drove yet another great qualifying lap, now it was up to the judges. After the fourth group of qualifying was completed the results were announced. In their first outing not only did Team CTS Drift qualify in group one but ended up in the holy grail of the top 3. Simon had piloted the CTS missile to a fantastic P2. Team driver Simon Podlewski quotes “it was a great moment to make top 3 in our first outing and I am stoked for the boys, hopefully I can make the most of it.”

Top 16 - Team CTS drew Andrew Milne. With Simon's lead lap proving just how fast the new combination was against it's competitors Simon drove to his first Team CTS victory with a comprehensive and complete display of all round drifting.

Top 8 - and the team would draw local up and comer Hayden Buckham. Yet again the shear speed of the CTS car was proven but not without a superb effort from Hayden who put up a great fight with some quality driving. The win was awarded to Team CTS and with it a pass to the Top 4. Bill Bromley “for our first outing it's all exceeding my expectations, I just wanted Simon to get comfortable with the car as he has ever competed in it before, and now we have a top four spot.”

The top four drivers were full of talent and Team CTS knew that from here on in it would be no easy task. Experienced local ace James Mardle was drawn in the Top 4 encounter. The battles were fierce with Mardle holding his own against the Team CTS 180SX, in the end it was an extremely close battle but Team CTS Drift prevailed and moved through to the final. An ecstatic Simon “Pitbull” Podlewski commented “this is a dream come true, to make it to the finals in our first outing is fantastic, it's a credit to the team because without them this would not have been possible.”

The final battle came and the crowd gathered on the hill. By this time it was dark and the lights around the track were ablaze. Adam 'Mayhem' May, another extremely talented national driver would be the final hurdle for a fantastic first event for Team CTS Drift. This would be a  battle to remember.

To the team and crowds surprise the lead lap by Simon yet again proved just how fast the CTS car really is. Adam May quotes “I have never battled a car so fast, it was just out of here.” On the chase lap Simon made a slight mistake entering turn one, unsettling the car enough to get off line, the G1 State Championship round one victory was handed to Adam May.  An enthusiastic Simon Podlewski quotes “'I'm so happy to put Team CTS Drift on the podium, our car is just in a field of it's own but Adam drove faultlessly and I couldn't have asked for a better person to win - well done Adam!”