James Deane Secures Victory In 2024 Formula DRIFT Long Beach Opener

The AutoZone Streets of Long Beach, presented by TYPE S, marked the exhilarating commencement of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship on Saturday, April 13, 2024. This event, held in Long Beach, CA, showcased a thrilling competition among the world's top drifters. James Deane from Ireland clinched the victory in an AutoZone Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD, with Simen Olsen from Norway and Aurimas Bakchis from Lithuania securing the second and third places respectively.

The competition was fierce under variable weather conditions, starting with cloudy and cool weather that escalated to light rain during the Top 16 and a heavy downpour by the Final. A notable introduction this year was the Seeding Bracket, aimed at determining the top 24 drivers who would bypass to Saturday's Top 32 competition heats directly after practice sessions. Those ranked 25-32 had an additional chance to gain track experience through a Top 16 battle on Friday.

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Adjustments to the rules provided drivers with more flexibility for making straightening corrections without automatically receiving an "incomplete" score. Despite this leniency, holding a straightened position for around two seconds would still lead to an incomplete score. The judging panel comprised Vernon Zwaneveld, Reese Marin, and Brian Eggert.

James Deane's victory was his first since 2019, propelling him to the lead in the Championship as it moves to Round 2 in Atlanta. His journey to the final was challenging, facing off against Jonathan Hurst and Fredric Aasbo before overcoming Bakchis. Simen Olsen and Fredric Aasbo, finishing second and fifth respectively, demonstrated their adeptness in wet conditions, attributing their comfort to experience in winter ice drifting. Bakchis, finishing third, is also considered a strong contender for the title.

Hiroya Minowa emerged as the top rookie of the event, securing an impressive eighth place overall. His path included victories over Dylan Hughes and teammate Kazuya Taguchi before being ousted by Aasbo. The event also marked the introduction of Kumho Tire as a new tire supplier to the series.

The challenging course on the Streets of Long Beach, characterized by its punishing concrete walls and variable weather conditions, tested the mettle of competitors and their teams. Some teams faced extensive repairs in preparation for Round 2 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta scheduled for May 9-11. This upcoming round will also see the commencement of the Formula DRIFT Link ECU PROSPEC Championship.

As it stands, James Deane leads the Pro Championship standings with 101 points, followed closely by Simen Olsen with 88 points and Aurimas Bakchis with 78 points. In terms of manufacturers' standings in the Auto Cup, Toyota leads, followed by Ford, GM, BMW, and Nissan. The Tire Cup standings see Nitto at the top, followed by GT Radial, Kenda, Vitour, and Nexen.

A detailed recap of Round 1 will be available on Monday, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying Round 2 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Formula DRIFT continues to solidify its position as a premier international drifting championship, attracting fans worldwide with its high-octane competition and showcasing drifting as a pinnacle of motorsport entertainment.