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Hiroya Minowa Makes History As Youngest Winner In Round 3 Of 2025 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship
Fifteen-year-old Hiroya Minowa made history by winning Round 3 of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship. This victory at Orlando Speed World marked him as the youngest winner in the series' 22-year history. Minowa's triumph came in his 11th championship round, building on his previous second-place finishes in St. Louis and Seattle in 2024.
Minowa's impressive performance saw him defeat notable competitors, including Dmitriy Brutiskiy, Conor Shanahan, Fredric Aasbo, and Aurimas Bakchis. Each heat win in Formula DRIFT awards ten points, propelling Minowa from eighth to third in the overall standings with a total of 80 points.
Jhonnattan Castro also achieved a milestone by securing his first podium since joining the series in 2012. Castro eliminated four-time FD PRO Champion James Deane during the competition. His fourth-place finish in Round 2 helped him climb to fourth place in the championship standings.
The rookies faced difficulties during this round. Connor O'Sullivan did not qualify through the Seeding Bracket, while Austin Matta, Jack Shanahan, and Tommy Lemaire were all eliminated early. Despite these setbacks, Shanahan leads the Rookie title race with 18 points.
In the Auto Cup standings, Toyota maintained its lead due to having two drivers reach the final. Nissan overtook Ford to secure second place. In the Tire Cup, Kenda remains at the top, with GT Radial moving up to second position.
Driver Points and Upcoming Events
Aurimas Bakchis repeated his third-place finish from Round 2 and shares equal points with Minowa at 80. Matt Field finished fourth after losing a close battle to Castro but moved up to seventh overall with 60 points.
The next round of the FD PRO Championship will take place in Englishtown, NJ from June 19-21. This event will coincide with Round 2 of the Link ECU PROSPEC Championship.
Formula DRIFT Overview
Formula DRIFT is an internationally recognised drifting championship that originated on Japan's streets. It has evolved into a global sport that tests drivers' skills and their vehicles' capabilities. As North America's first official drifting series, it attracts fans worldwide and offers a platform for top drifters to compete for prestigious titles.
The championship continues to captivate audiences with its thrilling competitions and talented drivers pushing their limits on challenging tracks across various locations.
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