Formula DRIFT closed out its 2025 season in true Long Beach style — on a brand-new course built specifically for the series. The Shoreline Showdown marked the debut of a more technical layout with seven outside zones, designed to test precision and reward commitment. While the PRO Championship had already been decided one round earlier in Utah, the finale delivered plenty of drama and a glimpse at the sport’s future.
Photography by Caden Underwood (@cru_media)
That future came into focus when Ireland’s Jack Shanahan captured his first career win and claimed Rookie of the Year honors in his Kumho Tires BMW 1 Series. His path to victory included eliminating heavy hitters like Adam LZ, Simen Olsen, and veteran Ryan Tuerck before advancing to a Final that never materialized — a mechanical failure sidelined Hiroya Minowa’s Toyota GT86, handing Shanahan the win. It was a fitting conclusion to a breakthrough season that saw the Irish rookie finish sixth overall with two podiums.
Minowa’s runner-up finish capped another impressive campaign for the 16-year-old Japanese prodigy, who remains the youngest driver in Formula DRIFT history to earn a Round win. Meanwhile, five-time champion James Deane continued his dominance, securing his seventh podium of the year after an uncharacteristic mistake in the Final Four. The AutoZone Mustang RTR driver had already locked in his record-breaking fifth title — and a third consecutive championship for RTR Motorsports — marking one of the most successful runs in FD history.
The season also concluded with Toyota securing its tenth Auto Cup title and GT Radial claiming the Tire Cup, each celebrating milestones that speak to the growth and consistency of modern drift competition.
From rookies like Shanahan and Minowa to legends like Deane and Tuerck, Long Beach once again showcased the full spectrum of the sport — a reminder that Formula DRIFT’s blend of innovation, intensity, and community is still accelerating into new territory.
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