The fifth round of the 2024 Drift Kings International Series, which doubled as the season finale for both the Pro2 and Queen Series, unfolded last weekend at the iconic Serres Racing Circuit in Northern Greece. This event, which also featured the second edition of the highly anticipated Nations Cup, delivered the high-octane spectacle fans had been waiting for, with 60 drivers from 10 nations battling it out on the demanding drift layout. Known for its rich drifting heritage, Serres was a decisive stage in the championship fight.
The Queen Series delivered some of the most intense action of the event. Reigning champion Sandra Janusauskaite secured the pole position, with Romanian driver Alice Ene falling short in qualifying to close the points gap. However, during the race, Alice staged a thrilling comeback to snatch victory. Despite her efforts, it wasn’t enough to deny Sandra her second consecutive Drift Queen title. Congratulations also to Eleni Samaras for catching 3rd place in her first drifting season! With the 2024 title decided, the excitement is already building for what promises to be another thrilling season in 2025.
In the Pro2 category, the title race saw some dramatic developments. Championship contender Erik Lobmayer qualified fourth, while Ricsi Miklos faced a disastrous qualification, failing to register a score on both runs, effectively handing the title to Lobmayer before the race even began. The wet conditions on race day posed a significant challenge, but local hero Pavlos Samaras emerged victorious, showcasing remarkable consistency throughout the season. Samaras secured a surprise second place in the championship standings with the double points final, while Lobmayer is expected to move up to the Pro Series in 2025. The battle lines are already drawn for next season, with Ricsi Miklos and Pavlos Samaras positioned as strong contenders for the Pro2 crown.
The Pro Series, as always, delivered electrifying action. With the double points final in Cyprus just around the corner, this round in Greece proved to be a fierce battleground. Local favourite Stavros Grillis clinched the pole position, but the competition remained wide open. The unpredictability of this season was once again on full display as Greece saw its fifth different winner in as many rounds. In the qualifying rounds, championship frontrunners dominated the top 10, setting the stage for an intense knockout phase.
However, surprises came early, with Donatas Macpraiksas being eliminated in the Top 16 and Ela Koko falling to Vernicos in the Top 8. This left Levickas and Haskasap as the only title contenders advancing to the Top 4, where they were joined by local stars Grillis and Vernicos. In a dramatic semifinal, contact between Levickas and Haskasap handed the advantage to Levickas, who advanced to the final. Haskasap managed to claim third place after a close battle with Vernicos.
In the showdown, Levickas faced Grillis, who had already dominated qualifying and was determined to win. However, Levickas’s flawless execution in his lead and chase runs proved too much for the local hero, securing a decisive victory in Round 5. As the championship heads into the final round, Levickas holds a narrow advantage, but with 280 points still up for grabs, the title race remains wide open.
The weekend also saw the return of the Nations Cup, where teams of up to five drivers represented their countries in a thrilling display of skill, speed, and style. Greece claimed top honours, with Lithuania securing second place and Romania taking third. The event showcased the incredible talent from across Europe, making fans and teams eager for more.
The championship picture remains unclear as we look ahead to the double points finale at Achna Speedway in Cyprus from October 18-20. Will Christoforou mount a comeback? Can Levickas secure his first title, or will Macpraiksas and Haskasap use the final 280 points to steal the crown at the last moment? Don’t miss the thrilling conclusion of the 2024 Drift Kings International Series!
Pro Series
🥇 Gediminas Levickas 🇱🇹
🥈 Stavros Grillis 🇬🇷
🥉 Envere Haskasap 🇹🇷
Pro2 Series
🥇 Pavlos Samaras 🇬🇷
🥈 Erik Lobmayer 🇭🇺
🥉 Illias Grillis 🇬🇷
Queen Series
🥇 Alice Ene 🇷🇴
🥈 Sandra Janusauskaite 🇱🇹
🥉 Iva Rusinova 🇧🇬
Championship Pro2 Series
🥇 Erik Lobmayer 🇭🇺
🥈 Pavlos Samaras 🇬🇷
🥉 Ricsi Miklos 🇭🇺
Queen Series
🥇 Sandra Janusauskaite 🇱🇹
🥈 Alice Ene 🇷🇴
🥉 Eleni Samaras 🇬🇷
Nations Cup
🥇 Greece 🇬🇷
🥈 Lithuania 🇱🇹
🥉 Romania 🇷🇴
General rankings have been updated https://drifting.today/drift-kings-2024/
