THE SHOWDOWN AT FORMULA DRIFT

Long Beach, CA—Many moons ago, LACar’s Doug Stokes was the Communications Director for Irwindale Speedway. Around 2003-2004, Doug was approached by Ryan Sage and Jim Liaw representing an entity called Formula DRIFT about using the Speedway for a drifting competition.

Although drifting was already popular in Japan, the Speedway establishment had a hard time wrapping its head around a sport that involved intentionally oversteering a car during turns and generating clouds of smoke from spinning rear tires, according to Doug. 

“It didn't take long for them to turn around," said Doug. "Formula DRIFT soon became the Speedway's biggest draw, with tickets outnumbering even the vaunted ESPN X-Games. I found that I ran into more re-acquaintances with 'old friends' than I could count whenever we ran a Formula DRIFT event."

Today, Formula DRIFT (also known as Formula D) is a massive operation, and is recognized as the leading international drifting championship. The series consists of an eight-round championship played out at race tracks across North America (Editor's note: After the closure of Irwindale Speedway at the end of 2024, the Streets of Long Beach, site of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, now serves as the venue for the opening and closing races). 

Formula DRIFT has expanded its international presence, adding demonstration events and sister series in various countries around the world.

In 2008, Formula DRIFT Asia was established with the inaugural Formula DRIFT Singapore. Thereafter, Formula DRIFT Asia grew to become the first pan-Asian professional drifting championship. By 2010, competitive rounds were hosted in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. In 2011, the championship expanded to Indonesia.

The Shoreline Showdown

Fast forward to today. The Shoreline Showdown, the Formula DRIFT season finale, otherwise known as Round 8, took place on October 18, 2025, on freshly paved surfaces on the Streets of Long Beach.

Ireland was well-represented at the Shoreline Showdown. Jack Shanahan (Ireland), driving the No. 59 KUMHO Tires BMW 1 Series, won the event and was named Rookie of the Year. 

James Deane (Ireland), driving the No. 130 2025 AutoZone Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD, finished third, but secured the 2025 Formula Drift PRO Champion title. Deane is now a five-time Formula D Champion and a four-time Drift Allstars and Oman IDC Champion.

After the season finale ended, Toyota clinched its 10th overall Formula DRIFT Auto Cup title. The championship is the second consecutive Auto Cup, and fourth in five seasons, for Toyota.

“To be celebrating our 10th Formula DRIFT Auto Cup is truly astounding and is a monumental feat for Toyota,” said Paul Doleshal, general manager, sponsorships and motorsports, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). 

Toyota first entered the Formula DRIFT ranks with the Scion badging and claimed its first three Auto Cup titles consecutively with the brand between 2014 and 2016. Today, three Toyota brands – the Toyota GR Supra, Toyota GR Corolla Hatchback and the Toyota GR86 – compete in the sport.