With the culmination of the 2024 Formula DRIFT season reaching its climax at Irwindale Speedway on October 18-19, we sat down with Formula DRIFT President Ryan Sage to review another phenomenal season and reflect on the special memories Irwindale – The House of DRIFT – will evoke.
“As we stand on the precipice of the final event of the season, we’re all struck by the focused determination of James Deane. Not only has he established one of the most dominant seasons in Formula DRIFT’s 21-year history, but he’s poised to capture the Championship title in a unique way that is strictly the direct result of the format changes we introduced for Season 21,” Sage explained.
“Barring any catastrophic practice incident, the moment James rolls up to the line in the Top 32 Competition heats – having pre-qualified for the event thanks to his fourth-place finish at Round 7 in Utah, and with the points tally he has amassed – Deane only needs to demonstrate a standard of participation on his first competitive run to grasp his fourth championship title! Completing the heat will bag him enough points to ensure the title.”
“As a series, we plan to celebrate this unbelievable achievement of a record fourth title for the first time in series history, which is once-in-a-season and once-in-a-lifetime. It highlights the skill and commitment James possesses as an athlete. His achievement will surpass every other FD driver. And while others might one day equal or surpass his record, we may never see an athlete like him in competition again, and so the moment he wins becomes extremely important to the history of our Sport.”
Sage continued, “We’re excited to return to Irwindale Speedway for the 2024 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Finals. Not only is it the House of DRIFT but one of only a handful of operational tracks in Southern California and the closest to our Los Angeles home. It holds so many special memories for fans, teams and drivers and continues to be an integral part of our series.”
As part of the celebrations at the legendary oval track, Formula DRIFT has added a new spectator footbridge from the paddock to the Reserved Trackside Grandstands. The series has also created dual burnout boxes, and added a fourth grandstand to the Reserved Trackside Seating options to make the Final the best possible experience for fans in attendance.
Tickets for the Irwindale Final always sell-out but at the time of writing, fans wishing to witness this landmark event can still purchase the remaining tickets from formulad.com.
As always, fans who are unable to attend the 2024 Formula DRIFT PRO Final Round 8: Type S Title Fight at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, CA on October 18-19 can enjoy the action on the series livestream at youtube.com/Formuladrift and on MAV TV (please check with your local provider).
