Instructors Profiles
Fernando 'Ferds' Wiehrl James 'Jabbott' Abbott
Dan Mackie Scott Schembri
Fernando Wiehrl
'Ferds'
Commonly referred to as a ‘Super Star’ of Australia Drifting, Fernando, also known as Ferds, is one of Australia’s most renowned Drifters, competing both Nationally and Internationally amongst the best of the best.
Fernando’s Drifting career began in 2004 when he was introduced to the sport at a low profile track day. From then on in Ferds developed a true passion for the new, exciting form of Motor Sport and quickly progressed into the spot light. In 2005 Ferds captured a lot of attention when he conquerored the Formula Drift National Series with back to back wins and a 1st place finish for the season. He then progressed to the Drift Australia Series in 2006 where he was a “stand out” competitor amongst Australia’s elite Drifters finishing 8th out right.
Fernando quickly moved to the top of the field in 2007 when he was offered the drive for the new Auto Salon Drift Team and went on the take out 2 wins, back to back, and 3rd place outright in the Drift Australia Series.
Proving that he was one of Australia’s greatest Drifters, Fernando was then invited to compete at an International Level overseas in the D1 World Championships. Where all the top drivers from each country were invited to compete for the title of ‘World Champion’. Fernando performed exceptionally well pulling off a controversial overtake maneuver to defeat one of Japans best which progressed him into the top 10 where he was defeated by one of Americas elite drivers in one of the highest developed drift cars the world has ever seen.
- Highlights in motor sport career
Being invited to compete at the D1 All-stars in California and rub shoulders with and compete against drivers which I idolise in the drifting scene.
- Most memorable moment
Coming 1st at Queensland Raceway in the 2007 Drift Australia Series
Overtaking Imamura in the D1 All-stars Championships
- Other achievements
Owning and running several car related businesses
Opening a factory in China and running an international business.
Driving and managing his own drift team from 2005-2007
- Cars drifted
S13
180sx
S14
S15
R32 GTR
R34 GTR
RWD WRX
MX5 Turbo
XR6 Turbo
RX7
AE86 Corolla
AE71 Corolla
James Abbott
'Jabbott'
Known as Jabbott by most, his recent 2007 sponsorship from Boost Bitz saw his debut in the Super Drift series of Drift Australia in 2008. Starting out at club days in 2006 he quickly progressed to national competition up against some of the biggest names in Australian Drift.
James has competed in
- BBM oran Park cup 2008
- Super Drift series 2008
- Numerous drift demonstrations
Highlights in motor sport career
Finishing equal first in points of the Oran park BBM cup and getting to compete in the Super Drift series in 2008.
Most memorable moment
Being one of the first group to drift the iconic Mt Panorama at Bathurst.
Other achievements
Success in my own business and surviving to the age of 29.
Cars drifted
KE30/AE86/AE71 Corollas
R31,R32,R33 Skylines
Various Commodores and my skateboard.
Dan Mackie
Scott Schembri
