Tauranga’s Dave Steedman has completed one of the most dramatic come‑from‑behind title charges in D1NZ history, capturing the 2026 D1NZ Pro Championship on home soil.

In a championship decider that delivered theatre, tension and unforgettable emotion, Steedman was crowned Drift King 2026 in front of a buoyant Anzac weekend crowd that turned out in force on a clear and calm autumn evening.

Trailing championship leader Connor Halligan by 26 points heading into Round 5, Steedman arrived at Baypark with no margin for error. What followed was a flawless drive under pressure — and a dramatic swing that reshaped the title fight in an instant, a statement from gritmotorsport.com, on behalf of D1NZ, said.

The championship pivoted in the Top 16 when Taupō’s Halligan clipped the wall, rolled onto his roof and slid down the circuit in a shower of sparks, his campaign ending on the spot. From there, Steedman seized momentum and never let it go.

He dispatched Scott Dinsdale in the Top 8 and then out-going Drift King Luke Fink (Australia) in the Top 4 before lining up for a Grand Final.

The final battle was a genuine see‑saw affair, with both drivers trading aggressive, committed runs that had the Baypark crowd on its feet.

Steedman won the championship (and title of Drift King) based on an aggregate of points across the season.

He trailed points leader Connor Halligan going into the Top 16 (who crashed) and then had to finish in the final battle, with enough points accumulated, to overtake the points differential and win overall.

Visibly emotional in the moments after securing the title, Steedman was quick to credit the people behind the scenes.

“I’m gonna struggle for words here,” he said.

“The sponsors that make this happen — MIMICO, Rex and Adam, NAPA, NMT Shipping, and my own business, Vehicle Service Centre — without those partnerships, we wouldn’t be doing this.

It’s a crazy, very expensive sport. And as we’ve seen tonight, teamwork makes the dream work. I’ve come into battle after battle just saying, ‘see what happens and have fun.’

“That’s what I’ve had today — a massive amount of fun. To come out with the trophy is the icing on the cake. I honestly was not expecting this.”

During the trophy presentation, Steedman also took time to honour out‑going champion Luke Fink, presenting him with a commemorative “forever trophy” recognising his reign.

Connor Halligan, Dave Steedman, Ben Jenkins standing on the podium at the weekend. Photo / Ray Clarke

2026 D1NZ Pro Series — Final Championship Standings

1. Dave Steedman — 410 pts
2. Connor Halligan — 394 pts
3. Ben Jenkins — 264 pts
4. Luke Fink — 242 pts
5. Scott Dinsdale — 240 pts

Round 5 – Baypark Pro Battle Results

• Grand Final: Dave Steedman def. Adam Davies
• 2nd Adam Davies
• 3rd Place: Luke Fink
• Top 8: Steedman def. Scott Dinsdale
• Top 16 (championship‑deciding): Steedman def. Connor Halligan

Myles Secures Pro Sport Title

The evening also crowned another champion, with Blake Myles securing the 2026 D1NZ Pro Sport Championship in emphatic style. Myles finished the season on 534 points, well clear of Riley McKeown (334) and Sheldon Kneale (260).

Like Steedman, Myles placed the emphasis on teamwork.

“It’s been pretty smooth — and that’s thanks to the support from my team and my fiancée Michaela,” Myles said.

“This is such a team sport. I get the praise for winning, but I can’t keep my car on track without my pit crew and team. That’s the secret. And that feeling — it feels pretty good.”

D1NZ Goes Global With HOTPIT Autofest Partnership

Capping a landmark night at Baypark, D1NZ confirmed a new international partnership with California‑based HOTPIT Autofest, one of the fastest‑growing platforms in global car culture and motorsport.

As part of the agreement, newly crowned Drift King Dave Steedman will become the first official D1NZ representative to compete on the HOTPIT Autofest stage in the United States, taking New Zealand’s national drifting championship onto the global scene.

“Partnering with D1NZ represents a pivotal moment for HOTPIT Autofest,” said COO RJ Contreras.

“We see a powerful opportunity to create international pathways for drivers and deliver a more unified global drifting experience.”

D1NZ executive James McManaway said the collaboration reflects the series’ long‑standing values.

“Drifting has always been rooted in community and progression. This partnership allows us to extend those values internationally — creating new opportunities for drivers, brands and fans alike.”

The 2026 season was one of the most expansive in D1NZ history, spanning five rounds from Teretonga Park in Invercargill to Pukekohe Park.

It included Pro Drifting’s first visit to the East Coast at Gisborne’s H BlackBee Drift Park, before the championship was decided under the lights at Baypark.