Fanga Dan wins D1NZ opener

'Fanga Dan' cleans up round one of the 2015-'16 Demon Energy D1NZ Championship

The opening round of the Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Championship at Manfeild Autocourse has been won by 'Fanga Dan' Woolhouse.

Driving his supercharged V8 Holden Commodore, Woolhouse defeated initial pole sitter Curt Whittaker to take the win.

"Me and Curt have had some good battles over the years. We can't give anyone an inch, we just put it to the wall. I'm stoked," said Woolhouse.

V Energy drifter Cole Armstrong fought off a spirited charge from Drew Donovan to take third place. The third place finish sees Tauranga local receive a welcome run of form, after mechanical failures plagued Armstrong's 2014/15 campaign.

The final battle of the weekend between Woolhouse and Whittaker saw the pair run door-to-door. Fanga's chase and lead proving to be stronger than Whittaker, the judges giving Woolhouse the lead.

"We had a really good run yesterday, and had the car dialed in," said Woolhouse.

"The last time we drove this car was in the wet at Pukekohe and it didn't feel very good to drive, so we made some good changes over the off-season. It felt so comfortable, even in the wet this morning, but we lacked a bit of grip through the middle but we'll keep working on it."

Curt Whittaker, pictured, finished in second. Photo / File

Whittaker, who finished second to Darren Kelly last season, was pleased with the result despite falling short at the final hurdle.

"It's been a good weekend, the car's gone faultlessly and the boys did a wicked job in the off season," said Whittaker.

"It's good to come out and qualify well and be on the podium, and that was our goal. It's been wicked, the weather fined up well for us and the crowd.

"Fanga's always a battler, it was a good battle which was nice and close."

The Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Championship now heads to Tauranga for the only night round of the calendar over January 8-9.