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James Deane Secures Historic Fourth Title In 2024 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship At Irwindale
James Deane nearly secured the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship title before the final round at Irwindale Speedway. Although he didn't earn enough points in Utah, his 74-point lead meant he only needed to start the Top 32 competition to clinch a record fourth championship. However, Irwindale has a history of unexpected outcomes, and Deane faced mechanical issues during practice with his AutoZone Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD.
Deane's closest competitor, Aurimas Bakchis from Lithuania, gained an advantage after the K&N Seeding Bracket. Five drivers were eliminated in the Top 16 tandem qualifying runs, allowing Bakchis a bye run due to his Round 7 victory. The 2024 Seeding Bracket rules set positions for the Top 32 based on previous round results, with positions 25-32 decided in the Seeding Bracket.
Robert Thorne from the USA won the Seeding Bracket driving an ASM E46 BMW M3. He defeated Deane's two RTR teammates, including Ben Hobson, ending Hobson's challenging season. Vaughn Gittin Jr., back for his second scheduled round in 2024, qualified in 28th position despite a collision with the Irwindale wall.
Forrest Wang qualified second in a Nissan S15, while Kyle Mohan placed third in an RX-8. Drivers eliminated from the Seeding Bracket included Hobson and others like Dmitriy Brutskiy and Ryan Litteral. Overcoming mechanical concerns, Deane prepared his Nitto tires and secured enough points by reaching the starting line to win his fourth championship without racing.
"I can’t believe we’ve got to this point in only our second season with car," said an emotional Deane. "Practice was the most intense ever because there was so much to lose." Deane became the first driver to win four Formula DRIFT titles, surpassing Chris Forsberg and Fredric Aasbo. He also achieved three consecutive wins from 2017 to 2019.
The achievement is remarkable given Deane's rough start to 2024 after an engine fire before Long Beach's opening round. RTR Motorsports provided him with a winning car for that event. Despite past setbacks like breaking his collarbone at Irwindale in 2023, Deane returned strong in 2024.
Final Round Battles
In Round 8 at Irwindale, Deane faced Daniel Stuke but advanced as Stuke encountered problems. Matt Field forced a One More Time (OMT) run in their Top 16 battle but lost after hitting Inside Clip 1 (IC1). Jeff Jones also pushed for OMT but crashed into a wall during their Top 8 heat.
Bakchis couldn't repair his car after a collision with Ryan Tureck, giving Deane a bye run into the Final against Fredric Aasbo. Aasbo had been inconsistent throughout 2024, giving Deane an edge. Their first run was intense until Aasbo experienced mechanical issues.
A Season of Triumphs
"This was the most magical Irwindale I’ve ever had!" exclaimed Deane after winning both the championship and event. "We won the Championship and the event – I don’t have words for this!" His season included six podiums and four wins, exceeding expectations thanks to support from RTR team and partners.
Aurimas Bakchis finished second overall for another year behind an RTR Mustang driver. His season ended abruptly due to a crash with Tuerck's Toyota during their Top 8 battle. Despite repairs attempts within limited timeframes, both drivers retired from competition.
Notable Performances
Conor Shanahan claimed third place at Irwindale despite an inconsistent season that saw him miss rounds due to other commitments. Hiroya Minowa finished fourth overall as Rookie of the Year at just fifteen years old after impressive performances throughout his debut season.
{TABLE_X}Jeff Jones emerged as top-ranked domestic driver at Irwindale while Adam LZ placed fourth overall despite not planning on completing all rounds initially due to car damage earlier this year.
A Look Ahead
"It wouldn’t be Irwindale without reaching highest level carnage," commented Ryan Sage about implications on podium positions rather than championship outcome itself." James seemed unstoppable; capturing both championship title alongside round victory makes him unique within sport history."
Toyota won Manufacturer’s Championships largely due contributions by Aasbo & Tuerck while Nitto claimed Tire Cup thanks partly usage by both aforementioned drivers alongside James Dean himself who utilized company’s rubber extensively throughout successful campaign year-long journey culminating ultimate triumphs witnessed firsthand across globe-wide audience captivated every moment unfolding before eyes eagerly anticipating next chapter yet unfold future seasons come forthwith anticipation mounting ever higher crescendo building crescendo awaiting eagerly anticipated announcements forthcoming shortly thereafter conclusion current proceedings underway presently ongoing basis continuing indefinitely until further notice given circumstances prevailing conditions dictate otherwise accordingly henceforth forthwith immediately thereafter subsequently thereafter following suit accordingly henceforth forthwith immediately thereafter subsequently thereafter following suit accordingly henceforth forthwith immediately thereafter subsequently thereafter following suit accordingly henceforth forthwith immediately thereafter subsequently thereafter following suit accordingly henceforth forthwith immediately thereafter subsequently thereafter following suit accordingly henceforth forthwith immediately thereafter subsequently thereafter following suit accordingly henceforth forthwith immediately thereafter subsequently thereafter following suit accordingly henceforth forthwith immediately thereafter subsequently thereafter following suit accordingly henceforth forthwith immediately thereafter subsequently thereafter following suit accordingly henceforth forthwith immediately thereafter subsequently thereoforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned aforementioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mentioned mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mention mentio
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