17 Sep 2016 2016 Red Bull Drift Battle finale - Australian driver Jake Jones wins steeple chase

2016 Red Bull Drift Battle steeple chase was held at Zhuhai International Circuit on 17 September 2016. Australian Jake Jones recorded 27.226 seconds, 0.35 faster than second placed driver, Italian Federico Sceriffo to win the battle. Chinese driver Xi Kun finishes third.

Jake Jones takes drift battle title as Federico Sceriffo wins steeple chase title

Under the warm autumn sun and a with a light sea breeze, the motorsport fans have been enjoying a wonderful Mid-Autumn public holiday, while Australian Jake Jones performed perfectly to take the title.

“I am very satisfied with my performance. I would like to thank my team for preparing this brand new race car for me. I am very happy to have won the steeple chase in the Red Bull Drift Battle.” After enjoying the champagne and receiving the trophy, Jake Jones said happily.

On the Zhuhai International Circuit, his race car has gone like lightning, with tyres screeching and smoke bellowing. You will have to be at the scene to appreciate the sport’s charms.

Different from previous seasons, this steeple chase has used a completely new design concept. The tyres and oil drums are painted with graffiti. Cars have to drive around the obstacles in this unique setting, giving the attendance an unusual spectacle.

Italian driver Federico Sceriffo loses the win by just 0.35 second. But he still takes the 2016 Red Bull Drift Battle steeple chase overall series title with steady performances in Spring, Summer and Autumn races.

“All through the week I felt empowered. Today I had two targets, first is to win this race and the second is to win the steeple chase title. Although I failed to achieve the first target, I am still very happy to have won the overall series title.” Federico said after the race.

Xue Kun, who won both steeple chase and drift race in the summer ace, recorded a time of 28.61 seconds. He finished third but was less than 1 second behind Federico Sceriffo, just missing out on the overall series title.

“I came to Zhuhai only on Friday, there was too little time to make adjustments and I did not hit my best form. Missing out on the series title is regrettable.” Xue Kun said.

Perfect circuit design creates screaming moment

For this round, the Red Bull Drift Battle attracted thousands of fans to the circuit. Many times the fans screamed as they drifted around the circuit. The drivers all state that the perfect circuit design makes the race even more exciting.

“This race circuit design demands very high skills, the ball is really close to the wall and the car must be very careful when it passes through. The last move to enter the parking space requires us to do a 180 degree U turn, both are very challenging. It also gets the fans very excited.” Winner Jake Jones explained.

“The ball is really close to the wall I felt my car brushed it. She was shaking.” Federico Sceriffo said.

The Red Bull Drift Battle is held three times a year, in Spring, Summer and Autumn. There are three competitions on each day of the event, qualifying, steeple chase and drift battle. In qualifying it mainly allows the drivers to get familiar with the circuit and set the order for the drift battle. The steeple chase tests each driver’s individual skill, while the drift battle test the driver’s complete driving ability.
 
By now, the Red Bull Drift Battle has become the premier drift competition in the country, the level of competition is getting higher and higher, while the entries are also coming from further and further away. Drivers from Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Italy and Japan are all gathered here for battle. Xue Kun is leading the charge from China.

On 18 September, Red Bull Drift Battle will bring in the exciting drift battle. Federico Sceriffo and Xue Kun are going to battle it out and see who will take the overall title.