Category: North American Racing

Every PRO Championship in Formula DRIFT’s 21-year history was been decided at the Final Round at Irwindale Speedway on Sunday. But James Deane (Ireland) came close to claiming the title at the previous round. And while he hadn’t accumulated enough points to lift the trophy in Utah, Deane’s 74-point advantage meant he technically just needed to pull up to the starting line for his Top 32 competition heat and “demonstrate a standard of participation” to ensure a record-breaking fourth championship title.

However, the House of DRIFT has an ancient curse, which can conjure up weird anomalies. Deane wouldn’t be the first driver to arrive at the Final Round expecting an easy win and leave disappointed. In fact, during Friday practice Deane appeared to suffer mechanical issues with his AutoZone Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD. And yet, the title was Deane’s to lose. Could he reach the starting line of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Final Round 8: Type S Title Fight to clinch the title?

PRO SEEDING BRACKET
Deane’s closest rival, Aurimas Bakchis (Lithuania) was thrown a lifeline after the K&N Seeding Bracket. With five of the 12 drivers competing in the Top 16 tandem qualifying runs eliminated, Bakchis earned a bye run in the competition heats thanks to his victory in Round 7.

The 2024 Seeding Bracket regulations allow the first 24 positions for the Top 32 to be established according to the finishing order of the previous Round. Positions 25-32 are then decided during the Seeding Bracket, which was won by 2022 FD PROSPEC Champion Robert Thorne (USA) driving the ASM E46 BMW M3.

En route to victory, Thorne defeated Deane’s two RTR teammates; eliminating 2023 PROSPEC Champion Ben Hobson (USA) in the process, ending a forgettable season for the driver of the Pennzoil / BC Racing Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD.

RTR team leader Vaughn Gittin Jr (USA) was back in the Monster Energy Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD for the second scheduled Round of his 2024 season. And while a heavy collision with the Irwindale wall put him out of contention in the Seeding Bracket, he’d done enough to qualify in 28th position and would be looking to assist Deane’s Championship challenge if the Irishman failed to start; since Bakchis would still need to reach the Final to raise the 2024 trophy.

A resurgent Forrest Wang (USA) qualified second in the GetNutsLab / Yellowspeed / Vitour Nissan S15, while Kyle Mohan (USA) placed third in the KMR / Renewable Lubricants / Mazdatrix RX-8.

The drivers knocked out of the Seeding Bracket and eliminated from Top 32 competition included Hobson, Dmitriy Brutskiy, Ryan Litteral (USA), Diego Higa (Brazil) and Derek Madison (USA).

PRO COMPETITION
Overcoming any mechanical concerns, Deane prepared his Nitto tires in the burnout box and by pulling up to the starting line, he received enough points to put the title out of Bakchis’ reach. In doing so, Deane claimed a record-setting fourth Formula DRIFT PRO Championship title without turning a wheel in anger.

“I can’t believe we’ve got to this point in only our second season with car,” an emotional Deane said. “Practice was the most intense ever because there was so much to lose. I was afraid something could go wrong but relieved to get through it and be ready to enjoy this moment… As a 15 year-old kid, I could never have imagined being here!”

Deane became the first driver to win four titles in Formula DRIFT history, pulling ahead of fellow three-time FD PRO Champions Chris Forsberg (USA) and Fredric Aasbo (Norway). Deane was also the only Champion to score three in a row in 2017, 2018 and 2019, making him the strongest contender for greatest of all time.

The remarkable feat was perhaps more impressive considering Deane’s terrible start to 2024 following a pre-season engine fire, which caused considerable damage a few days before the opening round in Long Beach. However, RTR Motorsports rallied and gave Deane a car to win the opening round. “After that, anything seemed possible,” he reflected.

However, Deane knew things could still go rapidly wrong in Formula DRIFT. It was only 12 months ago that Deane broke his collarbone during practice for the 2023 Irwindale Final. Yet despite the injury, he qualified sixth, finished third, and placed fifth in the Championship as he came to terms with his powerful, new RTR Mustang

Returning to Irwindale 2024, and with the championship pressure removed, Deane powered through the competition to win Round 8. It meant the four-time champion won four rounds in 2024, marking one of the most dominant performances in Formula DRIFT history and claiming the title with a 104-point advantage over second-placed Bakchis.

Deane’s battles commenced in the Top 32 against Daniel Stuke (USA), but the driver of the MspeK Performance Nissan Silvia Spec-R encountered a problem on the first run he was unable to overcome.

Veteran Matt Field (USA) was more tenacious. The driver of the Borla Performance / GT Radial / Heat Wave / Leen / Drift Cave Corvette forced the pair to run One More Time (OMT) in the Top 16 after the judges were unable to differentiate their performance. Deane was eventually awarded the win after Field wavered somewhat in the chase position and hit Inside Clip 1 (IC1) as he fought to maintain proximity.

The pattern was repeated in the Top 8 when Jeff Jones (USA) failed to yield in the Evol Auto Works / Prisma Labs / BIG Drift Energy Nissan 370Z. The judges again requested OMT but Jones choked on Deane’s smoke, striking the wall at Outside Zone 2 before over-rotating and coming out of drift.

In the Top 4 heats, Deane was the recipient of a bye run after Bakchis was unable to complete repairs in time to his Feal Suspension / GT Radial Nissan S15 following a heavy collision with Ryan Tureck (USA) in their Top 16 heat.

The absence of Bakchis propelled Deane into the Final against arch nemesis, three-time FD PRO Champion Fredric Aasbo (Norway). The driver of the Rockstar Energy / Toyota Racing GR Supra had previously come close to claiming a fourth title but an inconsistent 2024 season handed Deane the advantage.

With a history of titanic battles, their first run was an epic tussle. Aasbo set a blistering pace but his consistent lines allowed the Irishman to tap a rhythm on the Supra’s door. With the positions reversed, a mechanical issue caused the Norwegian to shut down, allowing James Deane put a bow on the season.

“This was the most magical Irwindale I’ve ever had!” Deane beamed. “We won the Championship and the event – I don’t have words for this! It’s been unbelievable. An incredible season with six podiums and four wins, which was far better than I ever imagined or expected. I’m so grateful for the RTR team, all our partners, as well as my family and friends for being with me for this insane journey. I can’t wait to return next year with the RTR Mustang. But now it’s time to party!”

Deane’s dominance meant “Odi” Bakchis was again the bridesmaid. For the second year in a row, Bakchis finished second to an RTR Mustang – Chelsea DeNofa claimed the title last year. Bakchis attempted to end the season with a Round win but his Top 8 tussle with Tuerck’s Toyota traumatically terminated his season.

Their first run was conducted at a frantic pace: Bakchis set his Feal Suspension / GT Radial Nissan S15 on cruise control and hugged the walls while Tuerck maneuvered to gain proximity. Approaching Outside Zone 3, the front tire of the Rain-X Toyota GR Corolla made contact with Odi’s front tire, shoving him repeatedly against the wall.

With only 15min available to Team Feal for repairs, and 5min for Papadakis Racing, both Bakchis and Tuerck retired. Odi finished the season 104 points* behind Deane but 42 ahead of Aasbo. The Norwegian’s second place in Irwindale and third place overall was a poor consolation as Deane claimed the historic fourth win. However, Aasbo remains the most successful driver in Formula DRIFT history.

Third place in Round 8 went to Conor Shanahan (Ireland), who finished an inconsistent season eighth overall. Despite his Rookie status, the reigning European Drift Masters Champion claimed a Round 3 win in Orlando, which hinted at his potential. However, his season didn’t come together; he missed a Round with conflicting commitments and was driving a borrowed car for Irwindale: “I couldn’t tell you what engine is in it,” he laughed. “But I’ll be back next year to ensure James doesn’t win a fifth title!”

Finishing 68 points ahead of Shanahan and 72 points behind Aasbo was teenager Hiroya Minowa (Japan). Placing fourth overall in his debut season, Minowa recently turned 15 years old and secured the 2024 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year title after a remarkable season in the Enjuku Racing / Cusco / Yellowspeed Racing Toyota GT86.

With overseas drivers grabbing all the podium positions, Jeff Jones (USA) was the top-ranked domestic driver, placing fourth in Irwindale driving the Evol Auto Works / Prisma Labs / BIG Drift Energy Nissan 370Z. The top US driver in 2024 was Adam LZ (USA), who placed fourth in the Championship. This was despite not intending to complete the full season, and having his competition car destroyed by a heavy impact during Round 5 in St Louis. After initially forecasting his retirement, a replacement bodyshell was offered and the team had LZ back on the grid for Round 6. He finished eighth in Irwindale.

In the Manufacturer’s Championships, Toyota won the 2024 Formula DRIFT Auto Cup, thanks in large part to Aasbo and Tuerck. While Nitto claimed the 2024 FD Tire Cup, which can be attributed in part to Deane and Aasbo using the company’s rubber.

ROK Cup USA has announced a new partnership with Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.), Omologato and Radford Racing School. The multifaceted partnership not only provides various brand exposure opportunities, but will also provide one ROK Cup karter with a unique opportunity to advance his or her racing career. The partnership will kick off at ROK Cup’s largest event in the western hemisphere, ROK Vegas, where approximately 300 karters — affectionately known as “ROKKERS” — will race to determine who is the best of the best. 

“We are excited to partner with F4 U.S. as our open-wheel series partner. F4 is a global platform, much like ROK Cup, and many of our teams are already involved in F4 here in the U.S. and abroad,” stated Michael Burrell, ROK Cup USA director. “Having Omologato Watches on board will add to the image and prestige of winning in ROK. Omologato is associated with some of the most exciting motorsports brands, and we are looking forward to adding ROK Cup to that list. Finally, being able to have a ROKKER represented in the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Karts to Cars Scholarship is an amazing opportunity. Our team is excitingly discussing who we will nominate for that honor.”

Held at Las Vegas’ Rio Hotel and Casino, Oct. 30-Nov. 3, ROK Vegas will feature a variety of Vortex 2-cycle karting engines ranging in size from 60cc to 125cc 6-speed shifter karts. Drivers as young as age seven will travel from 20 countries around the globe to race in one of the 10 different divisions.

With a variety of prizes on the line, none will be more coveted than the bespoke Omologato timepiece, which will be awarded to the winner of each ROK Vegas class. Omologato is the industry leader in producing racing-themed watches for the motorsports community, including racetracks like WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, IndyCar teams like Chip Ganassi Racing, race series like F4 U.S. and the Trans Am Series, and motorsports events like Nashville’s Music City Grand Prix — and now, ROK Vegas.

In addition, ROK Cup USA will nominate one deserving karter to participate in the upcoming Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Karts to Cars Scholarship School. Scheduled for December 5-6 at Radford Racing School’s location in Chandler, Ariz., the school will provide the selected karter with an opportunity to get their first experience in a single-seater racecar. With ground school, skid control, lead-follow sessions, braking, shifting and handling drills, the program utilizes a first-generation Ligier JS F4 chassis, Honda 2.0-liter engine and Hankook racing slicks — matching the combination used in the Ligier JS F4 Series.

“We’re thrilled to establish a partnership with ROK Cup USA,” said Scott Goodyear, Race Director for F4 U.S. “Every year, approximately 75% of our field in F4 U.S. and the Ligier JS F4 Series are drivers straight out of karting—many of them from ROK Cup. The depth of talent within these karting fields is second to none. We’re excited to see one of their best and brightest join us on track at the Radford Racing School F4 U.S. Karts to Cars Scholarship School this December.”

As the partnership between ROK Cup USA and F4 U.S. grows, local karters will be invited to attend F4 U.S. race events across the country, gaining a familiarity with the series and a deeper understanding of what the transition from karts to single-seater racecars looks like.

While ROK Vegas takes place in Las Vegas, October 30-November 3, F4 U.S. will be wrapping up its 2024 season with the season-finale COTA SpeedTour at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas that same weekend. For more information about ROK Vegas, visit ROKCupUSA.com.

Nearly 30 drivers are confirmed for a two-day new driver test at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, S.C. next Tuesday and Wednesday. Coordinated by Ligier Automotive North America, the test days will provide drivers with the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Ligier JS F4, the new JS F422 or the Ligier JS F3 — cars raced in the Ligier JS F4 Series (JS F4), Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) and Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas), respectively.

“We’re excited to provide prospective drivers with this opportunity to try out the various cars that we manufacture at Ligier,” said Mo Murray, CEO of Ligier Automotive North America. “When we started to discuss the idea of having a test, we were met with immediate enthusiasm and support by teams and the series. We’ll have most of our current FR Americas, F4 U.S. and Ligier JS F4 Series teams at the test, and have planned two full days of programming. In addition to the on-track sessions, we’ll have some classroom learning with presentations on sponsorship, social media, driver training, tech talks and more.”

Designed to introduce prospective drivers to new cars and series, the test will allow newcomers to get their first taste of the cars used in FR Americas, F4 U.S. and JS F4, as well as allowing current drivers in each series to try stepping up to the next class. Drivers of single-seater race cars will benefit from multiple on-track sessions each day, as well as several educational opportunities. Starting with a session on how to maximize a track walk, drivers will also have the opportunity to learn about sponsorship, social media, branding, driver fitness and nutrition, as well as attend tech talks on engines and setting up a race car.

“We’re happy to support Ligier Automotive at the Carolina Motorsports Park test,” said Scott Goodyear, race director for FR Americas, F4 U.S. and JS F4. “This is a great opportunity to connect with up-and-coming racers, and give them a taste of what they can expect racing in one of the series on PMH’s open-wheel ladder.”

Any prospective drivers who are interested in participating in the test are invited to contact David Cooper, sales director for Ligier Automotive North America (d.cooper@ligierautomotive.com), to be connected with a registered team.

Prototype Sprint Series Association presented by Hankook (PSSA) has announced its 2025 schedule, providing the owners of prototype race cars with 11 different opportunities to compete in a sprint race format across the country. The series will once again crown both a PSSA East and PSSA West Champion, as well as honor a Constructor’s Champion at the season’s end.

“We’re thrilled to announce the 2025 schedule for the Prototype Sprint Series Association presented by Hankook,” said Rob Elson, Race Director for PSSA. “Now entering its third season, the series is growing with interest from both drivers and manufacturers. Hankook continues to be an excellent partner, offering a reliable tire that lends itself to competitive racing. We’re expanding the list of eligible chassis, which opens the series to even more prospective racers, and with our first event scheduled in Florida in 2025, we’re about to tap into a new market. It’s going to be a great year.”

With events planned from coast to coast, racers will be able to contend for either the PSSA East or PSSA West championship — each featuring five championship-specific events, before a year-end combined East-West race caps off the season at Circuit of The Americas. Nearly 30 chassis will be eligible to compete in 2025, including a variety of Radical, Revolution, Sebeco, Wolf, Ligier prototypes and more. Racers must have either an SVRA Competition License or SVRA Super License, depending on which class the driver competes in. Event weekends feature five on-track sessions, including two sprint races, with Hankook racing tires required for all sessions.

The 2025 PSSA East schedule is filled with some of the most iconic road courses in America. Kicking off the season, the series will make its debut at the famed Sebring International Raceway. Then, it’s back to the site of the inaugural PSSA event, Road Atlanta. The summer months will see drivers taking on the challenging Road America, followed by the historic Watkins Glen International. Finally, it’s a dash to the championship title with events at VIRginia International Raceway and Circuit of The Americas.

PSSA West will kick off its 2025 season at Eagles Canyon Raceway before back-to-back events at the celebrated Sonoma Raceway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Next, the series will visit the Pacific Northwest while taking on Portland International Raceway, before traveling south to California’s Thunderhill Raceway Park. Finally, PSSA West will join PSSA East for the season-finale event at Circuit of The Americas.

At the conclusion of the season, both the PSSA East and PSSA West Champions will be awarded a $10,000 prize, in addition to several product awards. Likewise, PSSA will also celebrate a Constructor’s Championship in 2025, recognizing the manufacturer that accumulates the most points throughout the season.

2025 PSSA East Championship Schedule:
February 20-23, 2025: Sebring International Raceway (Sebring, Fla.)
March 20-23, 2025: Road Atlanta (Braselton, Ga.)
May 15-18, 2025: Road America (Plymouth, Wis.)
September 4-7, 2025: Watkins Glen International (Watkins Glen, N.Y.)
September 18-21, 2025: VIRginia International Raceway (Alton, Va.)
October 30-November 2, 2025: Circuit of The Americas (Austin, Texas)

2025 PSSA West Championship Schedule:
April 4-6, 2025: Eagles Canyon Raceway (Decatur, Texas)
April 24-27, 2025: Sonoma Raceway (Sonoma, Calif.)
May 2-4, 2025: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (Salinas, Calif.)
July 25-27, 2025: Portland International Raceway (Portland, Ore.)
October 10-12, 2025: Thunderhill Raceway Park (Willows, Calif.)
October 30-November 2, 2025: Circuit of The Americas (Austin, Texas)