Round 4 of the 2025 Drift Masters season kicked off in mega style at Mondello Park, with Qualifying Day delivering the most intense and historic qualifying we’ve ever seen in Ireland. From record-breaking scores to heartbreaks and even surprise moments off the track, Saturday in Ireland had it all.
Więcek, Shanahan, and Przygonski Make Waves
The standard of driving at Mondello Park was nothing short of exceptional, with a wave of high scores flooding the leaderboard throughout the day. Topping the charts – and making Drift Masters history in the process- was Piotr Wiecek, who laid down a record-breaking 99.5-point run, the highest qualifying score ever recorded in the championship. Right behind him was home hero Conor Shanahan, who delivered a precise and aggressive 97-point run to lock in second place, continuing his run of blistering form.
Jakub Przygonski rounded out the Top 3 with a strong 96, making it two Red Bull-backed drivers in the Top 3. Marco Zakouril and Orjan Nilsen followed closely, both scoring 95 points, with Zakouril edging into fourth based on his first run to secure his spot in the Qualifying Showdown, where the top four drivers go head-to-head for additional championship points.
Shanahan Steals the Showdown Spotlight
With Więcek stepping out after securing top spot, the stage was set for a high-stakes Qualifying Showdown between the remaining top drivers. Marco Zakouril advanced automatically into the final via a bye-run, while the other side of the bracket saw a fierce Red Bull clash between Conor Shanahan and Jakub Przygonski. In front of his home crowd, Shanahan delivered a composed and clinical chase to take the win and book his place in the final. The final battle was tight, but it was Shanahan who once again came out on top, edging out Zakouril to claim a Showdown victory and bag extra championship points heading into Sunday’s main event.
Wildcard Standouts Shake Up the Grid in Ireland
The wildcard entries weren’t just filling space; they all came with something to prove. Tomas Kiely led the charge with a commanding 94-point run, also clocking the fastest entry speed of the day at 154km/h, showing he’s more than ready to mix it with the best.
Local favourite Harry Kerr delivered an impressive 90.5 to thunderous applause from the Irish fans. Simen Olsen, making his first-ever Drift Masters appearance, impressed with a solid 89-point run, while global drift icon Daigo Saito made his mark on Irish soil with an 88, locking in his place in Sunday’s Top 32.
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