Simon Podlewski - Team CTS Driver

By Brendan Todio

Second place on debut with Team CTS at the 09 Drift Nationals - was that result within your expectations given all your preparations leading up to the event?

Second place was fantastic not just for me but for the team and the sponsors. The preparations that the team put into the car is second to none and the result reflects this.

What does it mean for you to be second place? 

Great result for 2009 and now the focus 2010

It is going to be on the back of your mind when you hit the track or 'is it all in the past'?

We dont dwell on the past,we look to the future and 2010 is our main priority.

It's pretty obvious that you are aiming to go one better in 2010. With the return of the multi-round series, how will this change your strategy and the teams strategy to winning the championship? 

There will be no strategy change, our goal is always the same and that is 'to win'.

We've read that the shortened 2009 season gave Team CTS the opportunity to make major developments to the car. Given that you started with Team CTS in the same year, how much input did you have with these developments? 

Bill Bromley is a 'thinker'! His mind never rests and he is always bouncing ideas off me to develop the CTS car to what we classify as a 'perfect' package. I believe now with the modifications we have done to the car in the off season we have fulfilled our 'perfect package'. Reliability plays one of the biggest parts in a successful team and CTS is possibly the most reliable package on the track.   

Was preparation somewhat limited given the lack of practice, track time and the competition environment with the team? Have you managed to use this to your advantage? 

Preparation was not limited for Team CTS, if anything with the lack of DA events the preparation was easier as we had more time. The downside being lack of top level DA competition.

2009 wasn't your first Drift Australia, from what I remember, you competed in 2008 in Mallala. How was that event for yourself and how did the Drift Australia experience help with your preparations with Team CTS? 

2008 was an eye opener for me. I had only been drifting for 6 months and the national competition is leaps and bounds tougher than the local competition. I really enjoyed competing against Australias best and I believe it removed somes butterflies for the 2009 DA round with Team CTS.

How did you end up with Team CTS as their driver? Was it a work in progress or were you 'picked from the crowd'? 

Let me just say 'I almost fell off my seat when I was given the opportunity'. Bill and I were at dinner when he 'popped the question' how could I refuse? I had to say 'yes'! The only disappoinment - he didn't give me a ring!!

So how are things now with Team CTS? What are your plans with 2010? Given that the competition is expected to increase with the full season - are there any expectations you have from Team CTS and other Drift Australia competitors? 

Things with Team CTS could not be any better! We have a team that includes Adam Strugala and Davin Thompson and the way we gel and work together I believe is another key part to a succesful team. It makes my job a lot easier when I have the upmost confidence in the boys and Bill. 2010 for us is short and simple - to win. My expectations for Team CTS will not change as I believe the way things are now could not get any better. I expect the DA competition to be fast and hard as this is the elite competion for Australia.