Both drivers threw everything into their final clash and with the scores even, the judges called One More Time.
Incredibly, they still could not split the pair after that run so a second One More Time was called and the pair went head-to-head for a third time.
It remained close but this time Whittaker clinched the round victory - his third from six this season - and the 2011/12 National Drifting Championship Drift King title.
Woolhouse was second for the round and third overall with Rotorua driver Brad Lauder claiming the final step on the round podium after also having to go One More Time to get an advantage over eventual fourth placegetter Jason Sellers.
Earlier in the day, Tauranga driver Cole Armstrong had topped the qualifying order only to lose his top 16 battle with the young gun in the series Nico Reid when his car's engine overheated when the pair went One More Time.
Other notable top 16 casualties were Taupo round winner Daynom Templeman who was beaten by Jason Sellers, and the visiting Australian driver Nigel Petrie driving Matt Sellers' Nissan S15.
The 2011/12 Cody's D1NZ National Drifting Championship Pro-Am title, meanwhile, went to Cam Vernon from Pukekohe.
He claimed his fourth round win in a row at Hampton Downs on Friday from Matamata's William Foster and Hamilton driver Jacob Hakaraia.