Kiwi drift race ace "Mad Mike" Whiddett has kicked off the new Formula Drift Japan season with a statement win at Suzuka.
Whiddett and his HUMBUL racing team shot out of the gate with impressive performances in Friday's practice session, before breezing through the competition in the heats.
The 37-year-old proceeded to lift to another level in the knockout stages, blitzing Yamashita in the semi-finals.
The final against Minowa played out perfectly for the Aucklander, who used his trademark aggression to grind out a victory and secure his spot atop the podium.
"HUMBUL was just on point today," said Whiddett after the win."We had more speed and I was just able to shadow everyone today.
"It was like HUMBUL was the black shadow out there today.It just goes to show that when you put in the time and the hard work, it can pay off big time.
"To come off with a win in Round One gives us more confidence and momentum for the next round."
The series now shifts to the spiritual home of drifting at Ebisu on the weekend of July 7-9.
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