Michael ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett will take part in the 2027 Race of Champions in New Zealand. Image: Graeme Murray / Red Bull Content Pool
The Auckland-born driver will make his debut in the international competition when it heads to New Zealand for the first time on January 9-10, joining a field featuring some of motorsport’s biggest names.
Whiddett has established himself as one of the country’s leading drifting figures, with a career spanning D1NZ in New Zealand, Formula Drift in the United States, and Formula Drift Japan where he claimed a title.
A Red Bull athlete who began his racing career in motocross, Whiddett is relishing the opportunity to test his skills against competitors from different disciplines.
“I’ve spent my whole career sending cars sideways, so I can’t wait to see how I stack up when everyone’s on a level playing field,” Whiddett said.
“To represent New Zealand against some of the biggest names in motorsport in front of a home crowd in Wellington is such an honour and I just know the Kiwi fans are going to love it.”
He joins fellow Kiwi Hayden Paddon among the confirmed entrants, with the rally star welcoming the prospect of competing alongside his compatriot.
“I’m really looking forward to representing New Zealand with Mad Mike,” Paddon said.
“He is a true icon of drifting and I’m sure he will be versatile with the wide range of cars he has driven all around the world.
“And at least between the two of us we know how to go sideways and put on a show for the home fans!”
The addition brings another local contender into an impressive line-up that already includes four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel, 10-time grand prix winner Valtteri Bottas and F1 icon David Coulthard.
American motorsport and action sports star Travis Pastrana is also confirmed alongside Supercars champions Chaz Mostert, Will Brown and Brodie Kostecki.
Race of Champions co-founder and president Fredrik Johnsson said he believed the combination of Whiddett and Paddon will add to the spectacle at Hnry Stadium.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mad Mike to the line-up for the first ever Race of Champions in New Zealand,” Johnsson said.
“Mike is one of the most spectacular drivers in the world with amazing car control. Together with Hayden Paddon they really know how to make any car go sideways and as fast as possible.”
Johnsson also revealed plans to expand the host nation’s representation beyond the two confirmed Kiwi drivers.
“Considering the long list of great drivers from New Zealand, we will have to add at least another team representing the host country, with the drivers selected to be announced in the lead up to the event.”
The Wellington competition follows the event’s successful Southern Hemisphere debut in Sydney in 2025, where Mostert reached the individual final before losing to nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb.
Brown and Kostecki also enjoyed success at that event, combining to reach the Nations Cup final representing Australia.
The 2027 edition will again bring drivers from different racing categories together to compete in identical machinery, with a temporary asphalt circuit to be constructed inside Wellington’s Hnry Stadium.
The Nations Cup will take place on Saturday, January 9, before the individual Race of Champions crowns its winner on Sunday, January 10.