Conor
Shanahan
Ireland
·
Drifting
Date of birth | 10 June 2003 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | Cork, Ireland |
Age | 23 |
Nationality | Ireland |
Career start | 2018 |
Discipline | Drift Racing |
Conor Shanahan began drifting at the age of nine, competing in the Irish Amateur Drift Championship before attracting wider attention at 13 with an appearance on The Grand Tour. He went on to become the youngest driver to win British, Irish and European professional drifting events.
In 2018, Shanahan made his Drift Masters European Championship debut and immediately made an impact, defeating fellow Irishman and multiple champion James Deane at the Polish round.
Growing up in a motorsport family
Motorsport runs through the Shanahan family. Conor's older brother Jack is a two-time British drift champion, while his father, John, won multiple rally titles and his mother, Valerie, became the only Irish woman to win the British Autograss Championship.
First Drift Masters title
In 2023, Shanahan secured his first Drift Masters title after a season-long championship battle. He sealed the crown with victory at the Grand Finale in Warsaw, Poland, in front of 53,000 spectators.
Formula DRIFT and a second Drift Masters crown
Shanahan made an immediate impact in his 2024 Formula DRIFT rookie season, winning Round 3 in Orlando and finishing eighth overall in the championship. Back in Europe, he also claimed victory at the iconic Drift Masters round in Riga.
In 2025, Shanahan returned to the top of Drift Masters. He entered the Grand Finale level on points with Piotr Więcek before securing his second championship and completing the season with three round victories.
Shanahan continued his Formula DRIFT push in 2026, opening the season with victory on the streets of Long Beach before adding another win in Seattle later in the year. The results have established him as a championship contender as he continues to build his career in the United States.
Conor Shanahan gets ready for competition
© Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
Drift Masters champion Conor Shanahan is smoking hot right now
© Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
Conor Shanahan celebrates his victory in Warsaw
© Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
Conor Shanahan drifts at Red Bull Drift Pursuit Cork 2025
© Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Content Pool