Drifting hot-shot Pete Barber has snatched a sensational third place at the climax of the ‘Need for Speed’ European Drift Championship (EDC).

The season’s grand finale – Round Six of six – was staged at Snetterton circuit, Norfolk, last Sunday (11 October).

After some dramatic racing Pete took third on the day, giving him 325 points for the year. With arch-rival Alan McCord only managing eighth, Pete’s result was good enough to leap-frog Alan into the bronze medal position overall.

Pete is sponsored by performance, modified and imported car insurance broker Swinton Specialist, and everyone there was thrilled by the Snetterton result.

Rob Asher, Head of Swinton Specialist, commented: “Pete was 16th in the final standings last year, so at the start of the season we were pushing him to target a top 10 finish for the season. By the end of Round Five it was clear he was going to be in the top five, and now, with other results going his way, he’s made third. He’s proved what an exceptional drifter he is.”

Four podium finishes out of the six starts – including his maiden victory at Knock Hill in Round Two – means 2009 will go down as Pete’s breakthrough season.

“I’m really, really pleased with how this season has gone, and making the top three is a dream. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m obviously very grateful to everyone at Swinton Specialist who has supported me. They have been great.”

The 24-year-old from Kiveton Park, South Yorks, is one of the youngest competitors in the EDC. He competes in a 1994 Mazda RX-7 which has been modified to improve its sideways performance. The biggest upgrade is a new engine; the regular rotary unit has been ripped out and replaced by one pumping out close to 500bhp.

Snetterton produced an equally gripping decider for the EDC title. At the start of the day, championship leader Phil Morrison was in pole position. But in a dramatic twist of fate, he was drawn against Mark Luney – the only other driver who could take the crown – in the last eight. Morrison span out after an uncharacteristic error, Luney made his way to the final and duly won it, giving him top spot with 395 points to Morrison’s 375.

Swinton Specialist – a division of Swinton Group Limited – was established in 2007 to deal with an increase in enquiries for high performance, imported and modified car insurance. For more information visit www.swintonspecialist.co.uk

For more information on the EDC visit www.europeandriftchampionship.eu