After an unpleasant finish in Riga, Baggsy would step into the Drift Masters Round 5 weekend with a lot of weight on his shoulders.
The team at SB Motorsport had been busy behind the scenes making sure the #PS13V8 was back to it’s former glory and ready to do battle!
Ferropolis, “The City Of Iron” is an open museum of huge old industrial machines in Gräfenhainichen, a city between Wittenberg and Dessau, Germany.
It also plays host to the “Iron Drift King” events, and this past weekend saw Round 5 of the Drift Masters European Championship bring the noise. With Thursday and Friday seeing two days of practice for the DMGP drivers to get familiar with their surroundings.
Saturday soon rolled around, and it was time to get down to business. First up was qualifying. With a packed grid of the best European drift drivers on a technical and fast track, this wouldn’t be a walk in the park. Throwing down two clean qualifying runs, with a highest score of 86.
Baggsy would find himself in the 19th spot for qualifying, and ready to go to war. With the main event about to kick off, 5k spectators and over 500k online viewers were eager for the flag to drop.
Top 32 would see Baggsy meet Johannes Hountondji, and a re match after the unfortunate result in Riga. Seeking redemption, Baggsy proved he meant business taking down the Red Bull Drift Brother and advancing on to the Top 16.
As drakness fell on Ferropolis, Baggsy was to take on the Norwegian Sledgehammer, Tor Arne Kvia, who looked to be on great form all weekend taking P3 in qualifying. But unfortunately for Kvia, mechanical issues would see him retire from competition and advance Baggsy in to the Great 8 bracket.
The Great 8 would bring Baggsy to the line against Lithuanian driver Benediktas Čirba. Baggsy had the Top 4 insight and wasn’t going to let anyone get in his way.
Leaving Čirba in his dust and all the judges going in Baggsy’s favour. It was time to bring the smoke to the Semi Finals.
Top 4 and Baggsy would meet Polish driver Pawel Korpulinski. Not letting a chance for the final slip from his grasp, Baggsy brought the A-game.
Sticking it to the door of Korpulinski in his chase, and running away in his lead. Baggsy would receive the win, and take his fight to the final.
The final would see history repeat itself. Baggsy was back on familiar ground! Darkness, James Deane and a final battle. Last time this happened was at Drift GP in Hungary, and Baggsy stepped out the victor.
In an explosive final, Deane and Baggsy would push each other round the track, but Deane would just pinch the advantage putting Baggsy on the 2nd step of the podium. His finish has also helped push Great Britain to 3rd place in the DMEC Nations Cup standings.
But this was more than just a podium for Baggsy! After some unfortunate luck the past two years, struggle, hours upon hours of work and a sea of emotions.
The saying “Good things come to those who wait” couldn’t be truer. Determination, hard work and great support finally paid off. Baggsy is back on the podium!
Photo DMGP, Baggsy Team
