Formula DRIFT Orlando took place last Friday and Saturday on May 31 and June 1, and the night ended with Irish driver Conor Shanahan standing at the top of the podium and James Deane and Braden Sorensen just below him on the podium. The event and year standings are at the bottom of this story.
Conor Shanahan placed first in this event in his Red Bull, Garagistic E36 BMW and is a brilliant drifter from Europe and competes in Drift Masters This season is the first year he has competed in the states. Not only did he finish first place in the event, but he also placed first in the Seeding Bracket the night prior, making this event a “perfect event” for him. His biography on Formula DRIFT’s website says, “20 year of age from killavullen Ireland, have been competing in motorsport since the age of 8 and started drifting when I was 12 winning a national level and then made the jump to professional at the age of 15 in drift masters, always working towards the goal to be the most successful drifter in the world, winning the 2023 drift masters championship I thought for 2024 I would also come and drive in the formula drift championship also, I’m very excited to be competing here and will give it my all to put on a show at every event and try push for good results, have been a Red Bull athlete for 6 years now and proudly representing them here alongside all my other incredible partners.” Check out his profile and social media platforms on Formula DRIFT’s website.
James Deane took second place in his AutoZone Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD after spinning out during his battle against Conor Shanahan in the finals. James Deane is arguably the greatest drifter in the world since his trophy case is composed of 21 championship titles among 10 different professional drifting competitions including Formula Drift, Drift Masters, and more. His biography on Formula DRIFT’s website says, “James Deane has established himself as one of the fastest-growing personalities in the sport and boasts the largest following of any Irish motorsport personality in the world. James began his competitive drift career in 2006 behind the wheel of a Ford Sierra in the Prodrift Junior Championship and in 2024 he is again behind the wheel of his 2024 AutoZone Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD in Formula Drift with 1,111 horsepower. A three-time Formula Drift Champion James won consecutively from 2017-2019 before stepping away to compete in Europe. However, during his vacancy from US drifting he was no stranger to winning, taking first at the DriftNeu North Cyprus Championship Finals, Goodwood Festival of Speed Driftkhana competition, the LZ Festival Mondello Park, multiple podiums in the Drift Masters European Championship and that’s just 2022. Now with one season, two podiums, a pole and countless seat time under his belt in his Mustang RTR, James is eyeing a record setting f fourth Formula Drift Championship, equaling a fourth championship for the RTR Vehicles’ Drift Team.” Check out his profile and social media platforms on Formula DRIFT’s website.
Branden Sorensen placed third in this event in his US Air Force, Sorensen Motorsports BMW M3 and he joined Formula Drift at the age of 14, meaning he was the youngest Formula DRIFT driver in history. His biography on Formula DRIFT’s website says, “Branden Sorensen was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada with a family of motorsports enthusiasts. Driving since the young age of 5 years old, he was raised with a steering wheel in his hand. Branden has experience in many different racing disciplines including karting, UTVs, Off-Road Trophy Trucks, and more. He began to focus on drifting at only 12 years old, competing in local grassroots drift events. He earned his Formula Drift license by winning the U.S. Drift Championship at the age of 14, the youngest in Formula Drift history. Branden enjoys taking part in engineering and building his race cars. With a never ending drive for improving his knowledge on race car dynamics and engineering, he’s made it his goal to have the best driving car on grid. Branden is hoping to keep improving his skills on and off the race track for many years to come.” Check out his profile and social media platforms on Formula DRIFT’s website.
Standings
Top 16 championship standings:
