Drifting
This is what's happening at Drift Masters 2024
As another year of Drift Masters gets underway, get the lowdown on the 2024 calendar and watch the action from each of the six rounds.
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The Drift Masters (DM) 2024 season is underway, with a six-round series taking place across some classic drifting locations, as well as some new venues.
Once again, you can catch the action live on Red Bull TV as rivals try to topple 2023 champion Conor Shanahan. So, read on to get the lowdown on what's in store for 2024 as well as checking out who comes out on top at each round .
01
Drift Masters 2024 calendar
ROUND
DATE
COUNTRY
LOCATION
RED BULL TV COVERAGE
1.
May 10–12
Spain
Circuit Ricardo Tomo
2.
June 15–16
Ireland
Mondello Park
3.
July 5–6
Finland
Huvivaltio PowerPark
4.
August 2–3
Latvia
Bikernieki Circuit
5.
August 23–24
Hungary
Rabócsiring Mariapocs
6.
September 14–15
Poland
PGE Narodowy, Warsaw
It's a brand-new venue to kick-off the 2024 Drift Masters season on the weekend of May 10–12, as the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, is welcomed into the fold. Best known for hosting MotoGP™ races and the odd F1 test, the compact circuit will welcome drifting for the first time and looks set to be an instant classic.
"Drift Masters has never been hosted in Spain before, which further highlights our curiosity and excitement. Considering that Spain's a country with a strong motorsport tradition and the Ricardo Tormo track itself enjoys a global reputation, we hope to attract new fans and fans of our sport," said Arkadiusz Dudko, Vice-President of Drift Masters Grand Prix.
After the new of Spain, it's back to Drift Masters tradition for the second round of the series at Ireland's Mondello Park. The Irish capital of drifting has become a permanent fixture in the Drift Masters landscape and always attracts a huge crowd of fans, but Mondello Park is no longer an impenetrable fortress for non-Irish drivers thanks to Piotr Więcek, who's won the previous two races at this track. Will he continue his streak next year? We'll find out on June 15 and 16.
From Ireland, Drift Masters will move north and on July 5–6 competitors will visit Finland for the second time after the Huvivaltio Power Park facility was very well received last season. The course proved to be extremely demanding, the Finnish fans were impressive in their support and the amusement park adjacent to the track certainly created incredible scenery and a unique atmosphere. It's a very welcome return.
Riga is the classic Drift Masters event and shouldn't be missed
© Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
After a month's break, the second half of the 2024 season is the race that any true drifting fans can't miss – Riga. Famous for its high speeds, high turnout and even higher curbs, winning at this track is a reward in itself. No driver calculates here, only power and courage count. The Latvia round at the Bikerniek Trase will take place on August 2-3. Later that month, August 23–24, the intimate Rabócsiring Mariapocs track in Hungary will welcome Round 5, returning after first hosting a race in 2018, when Grzegorz Hypki came out on top.
Then, it's off to the season-ending sixth round in Poland on September 13–14, where the PGE Narodowy stadium in Warsaw will again host the season's grand final. Anyone who saw the duels during the 2023 race in the Polish capital knows that the finale of the 2024 season promises to be amazing, where drivers will again fight in front of an audience of 55,000 on a specially poured asphalt track. The previous Drift Masters competition at PGE Narodowy went down in history as the largest drifting event of all time and the 2024 final will certainly attract even more attention.
Where to watch?
The final day action from all six rounds of DM will be shown on live on Red Bull TV. Get all the info on dates and times here.
02
Drift Masters Spain 2024 – a surprise win rocks season opener
Drift Masters Top 16 – Spain
Watch the Top 16 as Drift Masters kicks off for the first round of the 2024 season at Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
The 2024 Drift Masters season roared back to life in Valencia, Spain – and with a surprise winner to boot. Woes struck early for reigning champion, Conor Shanahan, as car troubles knocked him out in qualifying. With the Irishman missing out on the Top 32 battles, it was all to play for.
It was Estonian driver Kevin Pesur who drifted his way to his first-ever Drift Masters victory, defeating last year's runner-up Lauri Heinonen in the final round. The top of the podium wasn't the only shocker of the weekend, with Polish driver Adam Zalewski making a triumphant return to the Drift Masters podium for the first time since 2022 with a third place finish after overcoming Lithuanian driver Benediktas Cirba.
03
Drift Masters Ireland 2024 – local wildcard comes up trumps
Drift Masters: Top 16 – Ireland
Watch the Top 16 at round two Drift Masters 2024 at Mondello Park, the Irish capital of drifting.
For the second Drift Masters stop running, there was a unexpected name on top of the podium with Irishman James Deane claiming victory in front of home crowds at Mondello Park. Deane, a three-time Drift Masters champion but a wildcard entry at this event, used every bit of local knowledge of the Mondello Park track to take out an array of drivers on finals day, overcoming Sweden’s Pontus Hartman, Hungary’s Kevin Piskolty, fellow Irishman Jack Shanahan and Finnish legend Juha Rintanen.
The final battle of the weekend was all set to see Deane take on another Irishman in Duane McKeever. Unfortunately, McKeever suffered a gearbox malfunction and the crowd was denied what would have undoubtedly been a thrilling finale. It proved to be a perfect weekend for Deane as he also topped qualifying and won the qualifying showdown.
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