Tomorrow, Finland will host its third Drift Masters event. Finnish fans are arguably the most enthusiastic in Europe, and Lauri Heinonen is demonstrating that Finnish drivers rank among the best in the world. www.drifting.today team has gathered some interesting facts about the Drift Masters event in Finland.
Conor Shanahan is dominating qualifying in the Mika Salo circuit, winning on both appearances. In 2023 and 2024, an Irish man scored 97 points.
No one from Finland has won the podium twice, and in both events, there were at least two Irish competitors.
Lauri Heinonen is the only local man to claim the podium on home soil.
Conor Shanahan, Lauri Heinonen and Jack Shanahan won 7 tandem battles each during both events.
Conor and Lauri won 88% of the battles. James Deane has won in 80% of his appearances. Diogo Correia got 71%, Jack – 70%, Duane McKeever, Kevin Pesur and Pontus Hartman – 67%.
Benediktas Čirba and Eryk Goczal – 60%, Adam LZ, Conor Falvey, Jarkko Jylha, Juha Rintanen, Kevin Piskolty, Marco Zakouril, Mika Keski-Korpi, Pawel Grosz, Piotr Więcek, Tor Arne KVIA are on 50%
2023
Top three qualifiers: Conor Shanahan (97), Piotr Wiecek (96), Lauri Heinonen (93).
The average score at qualification is 74,57.
The lowest score to qualify for the Top 32 is 78.
Podium: Conor Shanahan, Jack Shanahan, Diogo Correia.
Best Finnish drivers: Lauri Heinonen, Juha Rintanen (Top 8), Jarkko Jylhä, Mika Keski-Korpi (Top 16).
2024
Top three qualifiers: Conor Shanahan (97), Juha Pöytälaakso (97), Lauri Heinonen (96,5).
The average score at qualification is 81,99.
The lowest score to qualify for the Top 32 is 79,5.
Podium: Lauri Heinonen (1st), Duane McKeever (2nd), James Deane (3rd).
Best Finnish drivers: Lauri Heinonen (1st), Juha Pöytälaakso, Jarkko Jylhä, Mika Keski-Korpi (Top 16).
Tickets for the 2025 event
