Taking home a record fourth championship win.
James Deane took top honors at Irwindale in a spectacular finale to the 2024 Formula Drift Championship, securing a record fourth Formula Drift PRO title. In addition to earning the top podium step, Deane cemented his place as one of the most successful drivers in Formula Drift history. Fredric Aasbo joined Deane on the podium with a second-place victory, while Conor Shanahan grabbed third.
Deane clinched the 2024 championship simply by pulling up to the starting line for the Top 32 heat, earning enough points to outpace Aurimas "Odi" Bakchis in the championship standings. The 2024 seasons marks Deane's first championship win since 2019, with two additional FD titles gained in 2018 and 2017, pushing him past three-time champions Chris Forsberg and Fredric Aasbo
"I can't believe we've got to this point in only our second season with [the] car," Deane said following his fourth championship win. "Practice was the most intense ever because there was so much to lose. I was afraid something could go wrong but relieved to get through it and be ready to enjoy this moment… As a 15 year-old kid, I could never have imagined being here!"
Deane showed a commanding performance throughout the 2024 season, racking up four round victories, including the season opener at Long Beach after overcoming a dramatic pre-season fire.
Meanwhile, Bakchis finished fourth in the final round behind the wheel of the Feal Suspension / GT Radial Nissan S15, netting him second in the championship standings after a challenging season that included a fire at Atlanta for Round 2. Bakchis was forced to drop out at Irwindale after a collision with Ryan Tuerck during the Top 8 heats.
Fredric Aasbo, driving the Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra, finished second at Irwindale event and third overall in the championship. Aasbo's early success in Round 2 initially positioned him as a title contender, but inconsistent results throughout the season kept him out of the championship fight.
Notably, 15-year-old Hiroya Minowa was awarded 2024 Rookie of the Year, finishing an impressive fourth overall in the championship, while Adam LZ emerged as the highest-placed U.S. driver, finishing fifth in the standings.
With the 2024 season now wrapped up, all eyes are on Deane to see if the Irishman will continue his success in 2025.
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