Europe’s biggest drift event is an explosive success
Irish Drift Championship vs Drift Allstars Round 3 – Global Warfare III
Drift Allstars Europe and the Irish Drift Championship come together to create an incredible international head-to-head as the best of Drift Allstars take on the elite of the Irish Drift Championship at Mondello Park, near Dublin, Ireland.
Drift Allstars Europe and the Irish Drift Championship come together to create an incredible international head-to-head as the best of Drift Allstars take on the elite of the Irish Drift Championship at Mondello Park, near Dublin, Ireland.
It would be 16-year-old Irish drift prodige Jack Shanahan who would maintain Ireland’s 13-year unbeaten streak after overcoming Drift Allstars champion James Deane in the final. Lithuania’s Andrius Vasiliauskas beat Ireland’s Mike Fitz in the third place playoff to secure his place on the podium.
This past weekend, Mondello Park, near Dublin, Ireland played host to the biggest drift event ever seen in Europe as champions and contenders from two series met in a head-to-head grudge match. Dubbed ‘Global Warfare III’, the gauntlet was thrown down to the best from Drift Allstars to overcome to natural drifting talent of the Irish Drift Championship. Unbeaten on home soil in 12 years, the Irish drivers would welcome drivers from all around the world to see who would come out on top.
With competition cars coming from as far afield as South Africa and Australia, a cumulative 50,000bhp invaded Mondello Park in time for Saturday’s practice event. The changeable Irish weather brought with it sudden downpours followed by periods of sunshine, giving drivers the chance to test their mettle on both a wet and dry track. Going into Sunday’s main event, and with an all-star roster comprised of over 50 professional drivers, the prize would be anyone’s for the taking.
Ireland’s Jack Shanahan put in a textbook run to secure P2 and Drift Allstars champion James Deane took P1 with an amazing run. Despite James being Drift Allstars champion, he would be representing his home nation of Ireland for this event.
A tense top 32 soon whittled down to 16, and things were looking neck and neck, with eight drivers remaining on both IDC and Drift Allstars teams. Norway’s Fredrik Øksnevad was out to upset everyone’s day, first beating Polish champion Piotr Więcek before knocking out Ireland’s Shane O’Sullivan. He would meet an on-form Shanahan in the Great 8, but couldn’t overcome the young Irishman. On the other side of the bracket 2015 Lithuanian Drift Champion Andrius Vasiliauskas took no prisoners, first beating Ireland’s Paul McCarthy and England’s Matt Carter before taking out the IDC Championship leader Duane McKeever.
In a battle fit for the finals, Drift Allstars veterans Janis Eglite, from Latvia, and James Deane duked it out too, with Deane taking a narrow victory. Deane also dealt justice to Vasiliauskas in the Semi Finals as Jack Shanahan beat fellow countryman Mike Fitz in the other Semi. The Irish unbeaten streak would continue, but who would take the win?
In the Final, Deane and Shanahan’s duel would be one of the best seen on Irish soil, with neither driver wanting to concede the important victory. With results counting towards both IDC and Drift Allstars standings, a lot was on the line. After two explosive runs the judges had their winner by a narrow margin – 16 year old Jack Shanahan raised the flag for Ireland and beat his mentor, James Deane!
The fourth round of the 2016 Extreme Drift Allstars Series sees the championship head to Laitse Rally Park in Estonia on 29-30th July for the Estonian Drift GP. See you there!
Final results from the Global Warfare III – Round 3:
1. Jack Shanahan – Ireland – West Lake Tyres
2. James Deane – Ireland – Falken Tyres
3. Andrius Vasiliauskas – Lithuania - TurboSystems
4. Mike Fitz – Ireland – Prodrift Academy
About Drift Allstars
Entering its Eighth season, EXTREME Drift Allstars is recognised as the fastest growing professional drifting championship in Europe. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges each driver's ability and vehicle control. Drift Allstars provides a forum for professional drifters to compete in a minimum of six events/demonstrations across Europe, battling for the legendary EXTREME Drift Allstars title. Drift Allstars has added a gritty edge to competitive motorsports, followed by car enthusiasts from all walks of life & establishing itself as a focal point for the sport.
For race schedule and ticket information, visit www.drift-allstars.com
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