Darren started out as a kid racing go-karts and dirtbikes with his dad. His first drift car came when he was 16 years old when he got an R32 GTST. While he has gone through many cars and had many builds, Darren has never gone away from Nissan. Currently he has an R32, R34 (Pro Championship winning car) and R35 all set up for drifting.

Starting with an R32 chassis, he competed in many drift events becoming NZ Pro-Am Champion in 2011-2012. His goal of stepping up to a pro drive soon became a reality when he switched to the Nissan R34 chassis where in his second season he won the D1NZ Pro Championship in 2014-2015.

A more competitive unique chassis was born and the partnership with Nissan and the R35 was unveiled to campaign the 2016-2017 Pro Championship. Darren enjoys amazing NZ events such as the Leadfoot Festival.

Darren Kelly - 2011 Nissan R35 GTR

Darren started out as a kid racing go-karts and dirtbikes with his dad. His first drift car came when he was 16 years old when he got an R32 GTST. While he has gone through many cars and had many builds, Darren has never gone away from Nissan. Currently he has an R32, R34 (Pro Championship winning car) and R35 all set up for drifting.

Starting with an R32 chassis, he competed in many drift events becoming NZ Pro-Am Champion in 2011-2012. His goal of stepping up to a pro drive soon became a reality when he switched to the Nissan R34 chassis where in his second season he won the D1NZ Pro Championship in 2014-2015.

A more competitive unique chassis was born and the partnership with Nissan and the R35 was unveiled to campaign the 2016-2017 Pro Championship. Darren enjoys amazing NZ events such as the Leadfoot Festival.

2011 Nissan R35 GTR:

This car started as a bare shell from Dodson’s Motorsport and over the space of two years has turned it into what we have here today. It’s been an extremely hard and long build with everything being custom made and very few off the shelf parts. Driveline: This GTR runs an 800+hp dry-sumped RB30det with a TTI sequential 6 speed gearbox, Winters 10.5inch quick-change diff and Driveshaft Shop axles which spin an 18×11 Work wheel coated in a 265 Zestino semi slick. Steering: Ireland-based TDP created a huge lock steering kit to bolt into the R35 chassis. Cooling: This car has a Fenix radiator mounted in the boot. ECU: Link ECU supplied Darren with the Link Thunder and their Link Dash 2 Pro.