Photo: 'Mad' Mike WhiddettThe Cody's D1NZ Drift Championship series and three of its top drivers have put together a unique Trademe auction and raffle to raise money for young cancer victim Daniel Baxter.
Daniel, 16, is terminally ill and D1NZ's Brendon White says he first heard about the Auckland teenager via Facebook.
"His friend, Callum Turner, created a page called 'My Mate Daniel' and it really struck a cord with me - and obviously a lot of other people."
Wondering how he could help, White discussed Daniel's situation with some of his fellow Drifters including a key player and long-time motorsport competitor David Templeman and came up with a plan.
"With the fourth round of our Cody's D1NZ National Drifting Championship coming up at Mt Smart on February 10 & 11 we decided to put up a mega prize package for a Trademe auction for Mad Mike and a raffle for Gaz Whiter through local events over the next three weeks."
Promoted as the 'ultimate package' for anyone interested in motorsport, the auction is for flights and accommodation to and from Auckland and the chance to ride shotgun with high profile Red Bull-backed New Zealand Drifter 'Mad' Mike Whiddett in a special Police-escorted 'Drift Train' to Mt Smart - where the winner will also get to drive D1NZ's own V8-powered Mazda RX7 under the tutelage of Whiddett - then on via Queen Street and the CBD to a venue where Daniel and his family will be presented with the funds raised.
Dargaville's Gaz Whiter, the three-time and defending New Zealand champion, will also be offering the same package however the Tectaloy S14 driver will be selling special $5.00 raffle tickets at shows to allow fans an option if bidding is out of their reach - 'a great alternative to the Trademe auction to raise funds,' states White.
While roads are regularly closed for special sporting and cultural events you don't see a Police-escorted 'Drift Train' everyday, but as White says - with a grin - 'closed months don't get fed' or, in other words, if you don't ask, you don't get!
Support from the Drifting community has poured in since White first floated the idea, with 'Mad' Mike Whiddett, Gaz Whiter and recent 2011/12 Cody's series Rnd 3 winner Daynom Templeman offering their cars and services to meet the winner of the Trademe auction at the airport and a number of other high-profile competitors set to join the 'Drift Train' from Mt Smart to the CBD on Wednesday February 8.
As well as that, series and/or drivers' sponsors have contributed to the prize pool including NAC (Insurance), Burger Fuel (food), Red Bull (beverages) and Etnies.
The 'Daniels' Journey with D1NZ & 'Mad' Mike Trademe auction went live on Tuesday and bidding has already topped $1000. To bid go to http://www.trademe.co.nz/travel-events-activities/activities/auction-442653262.htm
