2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - SHORELINE SHOWDOWN

The streets of Long Beach, California, are the final destination for the 2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship for the SHORELINE SHOWDOWN. The season finale marked the introduction of the new drift track layout of Long Beach, providing a fresh new challenge for drift stars, ending their season on a high note.

Long before the finale, the streets of Long Beach became the ideal venue for Ford to unveil the Mustang RTR Package, which is based on the EcoBoost variant. It's the first RTR vehicle made by Ford, and with drift-tuned dynamics, what a way to go.

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The season concludes with Jack Shanahan winning the finale by unanimously defeating Hiroya Minowa. Minowa had previously defeated this season's champion, James Deane, in the semifinals, despite losing a wheel during the match. Additionally, Shanahan was awarded Rookie of the Year for his outstanding performance this season.

And that concludes the 2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship. See you next year.

2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - ELEVATED

Utah is the penultimate stop for the 2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship with ELEVATED. This Labor Day Weekend drifting action is the decider whether James Deane has the right to be named this season's champion.

Screegrab from Formula DRIFT

By sending Adam LZ to third place after a heated Semis and defeating Matt Field by unanimous decision in the final round, James Deane not only won ELEVATED but earned the right to be named the 2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Champion.

James Deane's title fight is checked, but this season has one last weekend left: the SHORELINE SHOWDOWN at Long Beach this October 17-18, 2025. Don't miss it.

2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - THROWDOWN

The Pacific Northwest may be reeling from the noise of the Blue Angels, but another noise roars through the Evergreen State: drift cars. Yes, the 2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship continued in Evergreen Speedway for THROWDOWN, bringing more heat to the Pacific Northwest than any heat advisory issued by this state.

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With Adam LZ finishing in third place, James Deane and Matt Field faced off against each other in the final round, featuring a battle between the Mustang and the Corvette drift cars. In a unanimous decision, the Corvette drifter emerged as the winner in the Evergreen State.

The next event will be in Grantsville, Utah, for the penultimate event of the 2025 season, ELEVATED, this August 28-30, 2025.

2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - CROSSROADS

The streets of St. Louis, Missouri, became a battleground for drifters with the fifth round of the 2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship called CROSSROADS.

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James Deane has been declared the winner of CROSSROADS by unanimous decision, defeating Jack Shanahan in the finals. This victory marks Deane's second win of the season and ends a four-round streak of different winners. With this win, he strengthens his chances for the title. Fredric Aasbo finished in third place.

The next event will be in Washington State's Evergreen Speedway for THROWDOWN this August 8-9, 2025.

2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - THE GAUNTLET

The streets of Englishtown, New Jersey, heralded the arrival of summer with tire-slaying drifts with the 4th round of the 2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship, called THE GAUNTLET.

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Adam LZ and Fredric Aasbo fought their way through the FINALs, with one of them sending James Deane to third place. By unanimous decision, Adam LZ trumped the Supra-driving Aasbo to become the winner of the third round of the season.

Four different winners this season. Will the streak continue, or will it break to lead the championship title fight? Find out as this season reaches its halfway point with CROSSROADS at St. Louis, Missouri, this July 19, 2025.

2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - SCORCHED

The streets of Orlando, Florida, are the next stop for the 2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship with SCORCHED. The endgame delivered fans an unexpected showdown of unknown proportions.

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Two unsung heroes of Formula DRIFT, Hiroya Minowa and Jhonnattan Castro, made it through to the finals. However, in the end, it was just one of those two. The veteran, Aurimas "Odi" Bakchis, ended up in third place. What was the cause of the upset? What went wrong for the veteran? Who knows, but only one was named the winner of the SCORCHED event.

By unanimous decision, Hiroya Minowa made headlines in Orlando as the youngest to win a Formula Drift event at the age of 15.

The next event is at Englishtown, New Jersey, for THE GAUNTLET this June 19-21, 2025.

2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - Road To The Championship

The 2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship is underway at Road Atlanta for the Road to the Championship. This second round of the season features the most intense 100 mph door-to-door drifting battles, captivating the attention of local news in Atlanta.

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The Finals bout between James Deane in his RTR Mustang drift car and Fredric Aasbo in his GR Supra drift car became too close to call; the fans wanted to see it again, not once but twice. After the third attempt, a winner was decided.

James Deane won by unanimous decision against Fredric Aasbo in Atlanta, while Odi Bakchis secured third place.

The next event is SCORCHED at Orlando, Florida, this May 30-31.

2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - Streets of Long Beach

FORMULA Drift returns for its 2025 season and as always, the streets of Long Beach, California, is the first stop of the new season.

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The clash between James Deane, in his Mustang RTR drift car, and Fredric Aasbo, in his GR Supra drift car, became too close to call, the audiences demanded an encore. As encore strikes, it's everything on the table with nothing left to give.

Winning by unanimous decision, Fredric Aasbo drew first blood by beating Deane to score his first win of the season. Adam LZ settles for third place.

The next event is at Atlanta for the Road To The Championship this May 8-10, 2025.

2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship TITLE FIGHT

This is where it all ends, as the 2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship's season finale, the TITLE FIGHT, will decide whether James Deane has the right to be crowned this season's champion amid heated competition with Aurimas Bakchis.

Will James Deane maintain his lead and win this season's title or will Bakchis steal his thunder and have the last laugh? Let's find out...

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James Deane's victory against Fredric Aasbo by unanimous decision in the Formula DRIFT Pro Championship's season finale made him the first four-time champion in Formula Drift history. Conor Shanahan came in third.

Congratulations, James Deane, for becoming the first-ever Formula Drift 4-time champ!

This concludes the 2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship. See you next season!

2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - ELEVATED

The 2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship continues with its penultimate round of the season called ELEVATED, held at Grantsville, Utah.

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By unanimous decision, Aurimas Bakchis in his Nissan Silvia defeated Fredric Aasbo to keep his title hopes alive as James Deane is still leading the driver standings. Trenton Beechum settles for third place in Utah.

Will James Deane maintain his lead and win this season's title or will Bakchis steal his thunder and have the last laugh? The Title Fight begins on October 18-19, 2024, at Irwindale, California. Don't miss it!

2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - THROWDOWN

Seattle's Evergreen Speedway is the next stop of the 2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship with THROWDOWN as the summer of drifting action continues to heat up even with the whole world witnessing the Olympic endgame.

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Ryan Tuerck won the THROWDOWN finals by unanimous decision. He was driving a Toyota GR Corolla drift car and defeated Hiroya Minowa. Adam LZ took third place.

There are only two events left this season as the 2024 season continues with its penultimate leg at Salt Lake City, ELEVATED, this August 29 to 31, 2024.

2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - CROSSROADS

The streets of St. Louis, Missouri is the next stop for the 2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship with CROSSROADS. Even with the recent IT outage that plagued the world, that didn't stop them from delivering the most intense summer drifting action.

The drivers pushed their cars to the limit as they drifted around the tight corners of the World Wide Technology Raceway. There are plenty of close calls, smoking tires, and incredible displays of skill.

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As Frederic Aasbo settles for third place, Irishman James Deane in his AutoZone Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD beats Japanese drifter Hiroya Minowa in his Enjuku Racing / Cusco / Jerry Yang Racing Toyota GT86 by unanimous decision.

The next event is at Seattle's Evergreen Speedway for THROWDOWN this August 9-10, 2024.

2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - THE GAUNTLET

The 2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship is coming to Englishtown, New Jersey next. This is THE GAUNTLET, the event that officially kicks off the summer drifting season. It’s going to be an exciting time for anyone who loves fast cars and drifting.

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By unanimous decision, James Deane was victorious over Aurimas Bakchis in the finals. Adam LZ came in third after being defeated by Bakchis in the semi-finals.

The next event is at St. Louis, Missouri for CROSSROADS this July 18-20.

2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - SCORCHED

The 2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship continues in Orlando, Florida for the third round known as SCORCHED.

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Conor Shanahan made headlines in front of the Florida crowd by nailing his first-ever Formula Drift win after defeating James Deane by unanimous decision. Branden Sorensen finished 3rd.

The next event is THE GAUNTLET in New Jersey this June 20-22.

2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - Road to the Championship

Atlanta was the next stop for the 2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship for Round 2, known as the Road to the Championship event.

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Frederic Aasbo won his first event of the season behind the wheel of his GR Supra drift car when he defeated Simen Olsen in the finals. James Deane was able to clinch third place.

The next event on the circuit is SCORCHED, which will take place from May 31 to June 1 in Orlando, Florida.

2024 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - Long Beach

The streets of Long Beach, California, served as the opening salvo for the 2024 Formula Drift championship, which saw some drastic changes such as dropping single qualifying runs in favor of a reimagined tandem-only format. Not only that, they picked up new sponsors such as South Korea's Kumho Tire, hand cleaner brand Fast Orange, and Alpinestars, among others. The 2024 season is going to be the turning point in Formula Drift history.

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James Deane in his #130 AutoZone Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD and Simen Olsen in his #707 Feal Suspension Nissan S14.9 are the drivers who advanced to the finals and amid wet weather, they put in a good opening salvo with their crowd-pleasing drifts.

By unanimous decision in a rain-soaked final round, James Deane drew first blood with a win against Olsen. Aurimas Bakchis in his #723 Feal Suspension / GT Radial Nissan S15 finished in 3rd place.

The next event is at Atlanta for the Road to the Championship this May 9-11.

2023 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - TITLE FIGHT

Irwindale is the final stop of the 2023 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship, concluding the league's 20th-anniversary celebration with the epic title fight to decide who will be crowned the champion. Will DeNofa become the 2023 season or will either Field or Olsen snatch his glory? Let's find out.

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After Chris Forsberg trumped titled contender Simen Olsen at the Top 16 eliminations, Chelsea DeNofa, a first for his all-new #88 Pennzoil / BC Racing Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD drift machine, earned the right to earn the 2023 Formula DRIFT Pro Champion title, wrapping up his 12-year career run with a huge smoke. Despite being eliminated in the Top 32 match by Kristaps Bluss, he still earned the right to claim his title for his final time.

Meanwhile, Nick Noback wins the final round by unanimous decision.

This concludes the 2023 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship. Here's to another 20 years and see you next season!

2023 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - ELEVATED

The Utah Motorsport Campus is the penultimate stop for the 2023 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship with ELEVATED. With Chelsea DeNofa leading the title fight, will his road to the championship title remain in place for the finale?

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A winner by unanimous decision, DeNofa beats Matt Field in the finals, making it his third win of the 2023 season, while Simen Olsen settles in third place.

After Utah, DeNofa leads with 463 points, 53 points ahead of Matt Field, while Olsen's in third with 387 points. The three Utah podium finishers also happen to be the 2023 season points leaders. What a finish.

Will DeNofa become the 2023 season or will either Field or Olsen snatch his glory? The 2023 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship concludes in Irwindale for the TITLE FIGHT this October 13-14. Don't miss it! 

2023 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - THROWDOWN

The 2023 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship continues in Seattle's Evergreen Speedway for THROWDOWN.

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Chelsea DeNofa, in his all-new Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5 drift car, and Dylan Hughes, in a Royal Purple BMW, ended up becoming the main event as both of these drivers emerged their way to the finals and show off their drifting moves. As the first run's too close to call, a second run is done and a unanimous decision is made.

Chelsea DeNofa emerged as the winner of THROWDOWN by unanimous decision, beating Hughes and third-placer James Deanne into it.

The next round will be at Utah Motorsports Campus for ELEVATED this September 14-16.

My FH5 Log: "WE MAKE DRIFTS"

Aside from the junk cars and the AMG GT Black Series offered in the FH5 Upgrade Heroes update, there are two additional Formula Drift cars as well with one a new version of the familiar drift car driven by Chris Forsberg, and the other driven by one of the Donut Media boys for PROSPEC class.

First up is the #64 Forsberg Racing Nissan Z that I won as the overall prize in the Upgrade Heroes playlist. Used in the 2023 season of Formula Drift Pro Championship, it's based on the RZ34 Nissan Fairlady Z but with the 3.8L V6 Twin Turbo engine from the Nissan GT-R stuffed in it and juiced to produce a thousand horsepower.

Lastly, the #51 Donut Media Nissan 240SX drift car that I've obtained has mingled through the Donut Media Low Car story's Bumper 2 Bumper segment. It's a Nissan Silvia S14A jammed with an LQ9 engine, it's been driven by Donut Media's Adam Knapik for the PROSPEC class.

Normally, I would rather compare these two drift cars to see which one is the best but sadly, that would be pointless to compare drift cars because they're focused mostly on drifting rather than doing laps. Luckily, I had a brainwave...

First off, I decided to give the #64 Forsberg Racing Nissan Z a little exhibition drift in my own version of a certain classic track from a certain classic racing game I can't mention. Okay, it's my version of GT2's Motor Sports Land and if anyone's interested, I'll tell you the share code, it's 147 528 997.

Next up, I took the #51 Donut Media Nissan 240SX drift car on a little timewarp to Ancient Rome with a 10-lap drift track created by Forza player "l Wizzle l". Credit to the owner, as always.

As I said, if anyone's interested in this Ancient Rome drift track created by a certain Forza player, here's the share code: 175 263 128

These drift cars really know how to make a statement...

Enjoy your new rides!