In a thrilling and emotional climax to the 2024 Drift Masters Championship, Lauri Heinonen emerged victorious as the new champion at the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw, Poland. His path to the title was anything but smooth, as the decisive moment came during a tense Top 16 battle against Benediktas Cirba. Heinonen, needing to secure the win to keep his championship hopes alive, crossed the finish line just as his engine failed, a mere 10 seconds from disaster. His skill and a stroke of luck gave him his first-ever Drift Masters title. Heinonen’s consistency throughout the season had been the cornerstone of his success, allowing him to outpace fierce rivals Duane McKeever and James Deane in the final standings.
While Heinonen celebrated his championship triumph, Duane McKeever delivered a stellar performance over both days of the Drift Masters Grand Finale. McKeever dominated Qualifying, earning the top spot with a wild 94.5, and continued to impress in the Qualifying Showdown, taking the top step against James Deane. His aggressive, calculated driving style saw him defeat some of the season’s most formidable competitors, including Steve ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni, Juha Rintanen, Kevin Piskolty, and Poland’s own Piotr Wiecek. In the final battle of the event, McKeever faced fellow Irishman James Deane yet again in what became one of the most closely contested battles of the year. McKeever ultimately prevailed, securing the event win and elevating himself to second place in the championship standings.
Adam LZ’s First Podium & Wiecek’s Home Battle
In another exciting turn, Drift Masters rookie Adam LZ secured his first-ever podium in the series after an intense third-place play-off against hometown hero Piotr Wiecek. LZ, who had been steadily improving throughout the season, delivered his best performance yet, while Wiecek, cheered on by an electrified home crowd, finished fourth in his final event of the year.
Final Championship Standings After The Grand Finale
- Lauri Heinonen (FIN) – 437 pts.
- Duane McKeever (IRL) – 412 pts.
- James Deane (IRL) – 409 pts.
- Conor Shanahan (IRL) – 293 pts.
- Paweł Korpulinski (POL) – 265 pts.
As the dust settles on one of the most dramatic Drift Masters seasons in recent memory, Heinonen stands proudly as the new champion, with McKeever and Deane close behind. The 2024 season will be remembered for its thrilling moments, unexpected turns, and fierce battles. With Heinonen now holding the title, anticipation is already building for what promises to be an even more exciting 2025 season.
