Drift Masters
Riga, Latvia
Biķernieku trase
Riga, Latvia
01
What is drifting?
Drifting is a motorsport that pushes the limits of control while creating a visually stunning display all at once. Drivers intentionally lose traction on their rear wheels, causing the car to drift sideways through corners. It's not about speed, but about skill and control as they navigate the track with smoke billowing and tyres screaming. Making a sport out of something that the average driver would fear – skidding – is certainly for the bold! It's all about using oversteer to get the vehicle to drive sideways through corners at high speed while the driver remains in full control of the car. Unlike other motorsport disciplines, neither lap times nor track position play a role in the overall score.
02
What is Drift Masters?
Taking place over seven high-octane rounds, Drift Masters (DM) is the most prestigious drifting league in Europe, as well as one of the top competitions in the world. Unlike traditional racing, the goal isn’t to achieve the fastest lap time, but to execute the most impressive and controlled drifts. The series originated in Poland in 2014, and since then has built momentum to attract the best drivers on the continent thanks to events hosted in unusual locations and the high level of competition. Drift Masters pushes the boundaries of car control, creating a visually stunning display of driving mastery, where drifters battle head-to-head, judged on factors like drift angle, line, speed control and style.
03
Where can I watch Drift Masters?
Watch the Top 32 and Top 16 in their electrifying head-to-head battles on Red Bull TV livestreams for every intense moment, or catch all the action in the replay after each stop.
Where does Drift Masters take place?
Drift Masters runs over seven rounds across Europe, taking in the following stops in 2025:
- Round 1: Vallelunga Race Track – Rome, April 25-26
- Round 2: Jarama Race Track – Madrid, May 17–18
- Round 3: PowerPark – Härmä, June 6-7
- Round 4: Mondello Park – Kildare, June 28-29
- Round 5: Bikernieki Circuit – Riga, July 25–26
- Round 6: Ferropolis – Dessau, August 14–16
- Round 7: PGE Narodowy – Warsaw, September 12–13
04
What's the Drift Masters 2025 driver lineup?
The confirmed Drift Masters season 2025 driver lineup comprises the following 36 drivers:
- Adam Zalewski 🇵🇱
- Baggsy Biagioni 🇬🇧
- Benediktas Čirba 🇱🇹
- Clint van Oort 🇳🇱
- Conor Falvey 🇮🇪
- Dave Egan 🇮🇪
- Dawid Sposób 🇵🇱
- Diogo Correia 🇵🇹
- Duane Mckeever 🇮🇪
- Espen Rohde 🇳🇴
- Fionn Roche 🇮🇪
- George Christoforou 🇨🇾
- Itay Sadeh 🇮🇱
- Jack Shanahan 🇮🇪
- Jakub Król 🇵🇱
- James Deane 🇮🇪
- Jarkko Jylhä 🇫🇮
- Jason Banet 🇫🇷
- Juha Pöytälaakso 🇫🇮
- Juha Rintanen 🇫🇮
- Kevin Pesur 🇪🇪
- Kevin Piskolty 🇭🇺
- Lauri Heinonen 🇫🇮
- Marco Zakouřil 🇨🇿
- Mika Keski-Korpi 🇫🇮
- Naoki Nakamura 🇯🇵
- Oliver Randalu 🇪🇪
- Ørjan Nilsen 🇳🇴
- Paweł Korpulinski 🇵🇱
- Piotr Więcek 🇵🇱
- Pontus Hartman 🇸🇪
- Teemu Peltola 🇫🇮
- Tor Arne Kvia 🇳🇴
- Yves Meyer 🇨🇭
05
How do drivers qualify for Drift Masters?
Drivers compete alone in the Drift Masters qualifier, where up to 100 points are up for grabs. The biggest share of the points can be won for the passing line, followed by the angle of the car in the drifts and driving style. During qualification, each driver has two runs on the course, and their best score counts. Only the best 32 competitors make it through to the finals and the twin battles.
In the Top 32 round, the first qualifier meets the 32nd qualifier and so on. Only the results of the head-to-head battles decide who goes through, and at each stage the number of participants is halved until the two finalists are selected, and the two who didn't make it go on to battle for third place. During one event, a driver can take part in a maximum of five duels.
06
How can drivers win Drift Masters?
Competitors are judged on these four main criteria:
- Speed and fluidity
- Drift angle
- Line selection
- Style
It's completely up to the judges to decide who wins each duel. Although traditional grid position and lap times don't determine winners, speed isn't totally without significance. For example, a driver who covers the course as precisely as their rival, but at a visibly faster speed, will have an advantage.
For the 2025 season, drifting legends Kevin O'Connell, Vernon Zwaneveld and David Kalas will judge each competition.