Coverage - ��ֱ�� is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999

Formula DRIFT Long Beach 2025 Round 8: Shoreline Showdown

2025-10-20T19:13:21+00:00

Formula DRIFT closed out its 2025 season in true Long Beach style — on a brand-new course built specifically for the series. The Shoreline Showdown marked the debut of a more technical layout with seven outside zones, designed to test precision and reward commitment. While the PRO Championship had already been decided one round earlier in Utah, the finale delivered plenty of drama and a glimpse at the sport’s future.

Photography by Caden Underwood (@cru_media)

That future came into focus when Ireland’s Jack Shanahan captured his first career win and claimed Rookie of the Year honors in his Kumho Tires BMW 1 Series. His path to victory included eliminating heavy hitters like Adam LZ, Simen Olsen, and veteran Ryan Tuerck before advancing to a Final that never materialized — a mechanical failure sidelined Hiroya Minowa’s Toyota GT86, handing Shanahan the win. It was a fitting conclusion to a breakthrough season that saw the Irish rookie finish sixth overall with two podiums.

Minowa’s runner-up finish capped another impressive campaign for the 16-year-old Japanese prodigy, who remains the youngest driver in Formula DRIFT history to earn a Round win. Meanwhile, five-time champion James Deane continued his dominance, securing his seventh podium of the year after an uncharacteristic mistake in the Final Four. The AutoZone Mustang RTR driver had already locked in his record-breaking fifth title — and a third consecutive championship for RTR Motorsports — marking one of the most successful runs in FD history.

The season also concluded with Toyota securing its tenth Auto Cup title and GT Radial claiming the Tire Cup, each celebrating milestones that speak to the growth and consistency of modern drift competition.

From rookies like Shanahan and Minowa to legends like Deane and Tuerck, Long Beach once again showcased the full spectrum of the sport — a reminder that Formula DRIFT’s blend of innovation, intensity, and community is still accelerating into new territory.

Red Bull Tokyo Drift 2025 – Mad Mike Whiddett and Hiroya Minowa Defy Gravity

2025-10-20T17:09:47+00:00

Red Bull took drifting to new heights—literally—at Tokyo Drift 2025, an event staged inside the ESR Higashi-Ogishima Distribution Center 1 in Kawasaki, Japan. The venue, a towering eight-storey warehouse complex overlooking Tokyo Bay, became the backdrop for one of the most ambitious drift demonstrations ever produced.

In a concept unlike anything seen before, drivers drifted up the structure’s spiraling parking ramp, turning an industrial building into a vertical motorsport stage. The single exhibition run featured two of drifting’s most recognizable names. Mad Mike Whiddett piloted the TCP Magic-built, quad-rotor Mazda 3, while Hiroya Minowa drove the Cusco-built, 2JZ-powered Toyota GR Corolla.

The run combined choreography, engineering, and spectacle in equal measure. Tire smoke and rotary resonance filled the enclosed ramp as both drivers executed precise transitions through tight elevation changes. The sequence was filmed using a lead car-mounted camera, drone coverage, and in-car perspectives, capturing every moment as the cars climbed toward the roof.

More than a demonstration of skill, Tokyo Drift 2025 highlighted the shared creativity between Japan’s tuning scene and global motorsport production. It served as a showcase of how modern drifting can evolve beyond circuits or city streets — without losing its roots.

The result was a proof of concept on a massive scale: one part engineering feat, one part cultural tribute, and a reminder that innovation remains at the heart of drift culture.

Tuned Originals Takes Over Sneaky Pete’s

2025-09-23T15:50:00+00:00

On September 20, Sneaky Pete’s in Lewisville, TX came alive as Tuned Originals delivered one of the most memorable automotive and lifestyle events of the year. With live music, poolside contests, and vendor showcases, the waterfront venue set the stage for a day that had it all. From JDM legends and exotic head-turners to tuners and old-school classics, the show field was packed with variety and energy. The event also marked a milestone: the retirement show of Wayne Raqueno, better known as Mr. Wayneside, who has hosted more than 700+ shows in his career. His signature squirrel-themed awards made a final appearance, handed out from the poolside stage.

Between the packed crowds, live DJ, and pool party atmosphere, Tuned Originals proved itself to be more than just a car show. It was a full celebration of the community, the culture, and the good vibes that drive it all.

Story by Jamie Lake | Photography by Merrick Harding (@merrick_media)

Formula DRIFT Utah 2025: Deane Clinches Championship Early

2025-09-02T17:24:37+00:00

Formula DRIFT made its stop in Utah for Round 7 of the PRO Championship and the Final Round of the Link ECU PROSPEC season, bringing plenty of high stakes to the desert. The Burt Brothers Motorpark in Grantsville featured a revised course that left little room for error. For PROSPEC, it meant the title would be decided here. For PRO, it meant James Deane had a chance to secure his fifth career championship before the season finale.

PROSPEC Championship

Coming into Utah, Nate Chen, Cole Richards, and Dmitriy Brutskiy were tied atop the standings, but the weekend didn’t go their way. Richards was eliminated in the Top 32 after running wide in Outside Zone 4, leaving him fifth overall and outside of automatic PRO license contention. Chen was knocked out in the Top 16 after an OMT battle with Amanda Sorensen, finishing ninth on the night but holding onto second in the Championship. Brutskiy fell to Collin Zielinski in his Top 16 match, finishing third overall for the year.

That opened the door for Cody Buchanan. Driving his 272 Motorsports / Sandbeck Race Developments Nissan 350Z, Buchanan worked his way through the bracket, defeating Cory Talaska in the quarter-final on his way to a Round 4 win. The result elevated him from fourth in the standings to the PROSPEC Championship title.

“We did the thing! We won the event and the Championship. I was hoping to do better than fourth this season and we did it!” Buchanan said after the trophy ceremony. “Our mindset was one run at a time, don’t worry about the Championship. And it worked! We had some bad luck at previous rounds but it all worked out in the end. I couldn’t be more stoked.”

Buchanan’s win marked his first Formula DRIFT podium, first event victory, and first Championship in just his second season. Zielinski finished second on the night, claiming his first FD podium as well, while Talaska finished third in Utah and fourth in the Championship overall. Rookie of the Year went to Jerry Johnson, who placed fifth in the final standings after another Top 8 appearance.

PRO Championship

While PROSPEC closed its season, the PRO field had two more rounds remaining, but Utah would prove decisive enough to crown the champion early this year. James Deane entered with a 40-point lead over Fredric Aasbo, and while Aasbo exited in the Top 32, Deane advanced deep into competition.

Meeting Adam LZ in the Final 4, Deane earned the win despite some mistakes, earning just enough points to clinch the Championship early. That made him the first driver in series history to win five PRO titles, and the first to ever secure the crown before the season finale. Deane's run through the history books needs to be studied.

After claiming the title once again, Deane had some heartfelt words. “We lost one of our best friends, Alan Long, before the start of the season. He was a family friend and this is for him… because he supported me throughout my drifting career,” Deane said after sealing the title. “Round 7 went way better than I ever imagined. We managed to win the event, as well as a mind-blowing fifth Championship, which I wasn’t expecting. Somehow we managed to wrap up the Championship with one Round left!”

Deane went on to defeat Matt Field in the Final, capping his weekend with both the event win and the title. The result moved Field into second overall, ahead of both LZ and Aasbo - a pretty good result considering Field's Corvette was wedged under Dylan Hughes' BMW in their Final 4 battle!

Formula DRIFT President Ryan Sage summed it up: “Even after 22 years, Formula DRIFT continues to serve up surprises. We’ve seen our first five-time Champion in James Deane, and PROSPEC saw the leading contenders take themselves out of contention, leaving the door open for Cody Buchanan, who’s never even won an event before. It’s a fitting end to the best PROSPEC season we’ve ever witnessed.”

Photography by Caden Underwood (@CRU_MEDIA)

DREAMERS OF DRIFT – A Grassroots Celebration of Passion

2025-08-26T14:51:21+00:00

On Saturday, August 23, DREAMERS OF DRIFT once again proved why grassroots drifting continues to be one of the most vibrant and community-driven scenes in Texas. With the track going hot at 10 a.m., drivers from across the state came together not just to shred tires, but to celebrate a lifestyle that runs much deeper than the surface of motorsport.

The day carried that unmistakable energy you can only find at grassroots events—where passion outweighs polish and every lap is about heart as much as skill. From seasoned drifters to newcomers finding their groove, the expo center was filled with people united by the same love for sideways driving and the culture it represents.

The weather was generous, setting the perfect stage for a full day of smoke, sound, and camaraderie. Off the track, vendors added to the experience with an eclectic mix of JDM collectibles, novelties, and even some pieces of ��ֱ�� history—bridging past and present for enthusiasts who know how much the culture has grown over the years.

But what truly set DREAMERS OF DRIFT apart was the atmosphere beyond the cars. Families, friends, and longtime supporters filled the grounds, making it clear that this event wasn’t just about horsepower or technique—it was about people. The lot buzzed with conversation, laughter, and helping hands; a reminder that grassroots drifting thrives because of the community that fuels it.

As the sun dipped, the event wrapped with music, stories, and memories shared among friends old and new. It was the perfect ending to a day that balanced tire smoke with togetherness, proving once more that DREAMERS OF DRIFT isn’t just an event. It’s a tradition, a family, and a reminder of why we fell in love with drifting in the first place.

Story by Jamie Lake
Photography by Rj Lake (@nerdy.m3dia)

Formula DRIFT Seattle 2025: Field Takes First Win Since 2023

2025-08-12T14:44:29+00:00

Photography/Videos and Writeup by PJ Miller (@megapixelsniper)

After two decades of running Evergreen Speedway’s established layout, Formula DRIFT made a notable adjustment for Round 6, widening Outer Zones 2 and 3. The change came at the drivers’ request, aiming for a smoother arc and better momentum through the back half of the track. Friday’s practice and Seeding Bracket runs revealed some transition issues, prompting overnight refinements and a slightly earlier finish line. By Saturday, the course was fast, technical, and primed for the PRO Championship’s Throwdown in Monroe, WA.

With 32 PRO drivers entered, the Type S Seeding Bracket was structured so the top 16 from Round 5 were locked into Saturday’s main event. The rest battled for points and starting positions rather than survival. Branden Sorensen, still feeling the effects of a poor St. Louis result, came through the bracket in top form, collecting 12 points and beating Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis in the Seeding Final.

Bakchis’ appearance in the bracket was surprising enough, but joining him was 2023 title contender Simen Olsen. The former teammates met in the semi-final, with Bakchis advancing before falling to Sorensen. Olsen settled for third in the bracket. Seattle also saw the return of Wataru Masuyama, stepping into Daigo Saito’s seat after visa issues kept Saito out since Round 5. Masuyama adapted quickly to the GR86, finishing eighth after falling to James Deane in the Great 8.

Matt Field entered Monroe in need of a strong result. A first-round bye put him against Chris Forsberg in the Top 16, where Forsberg’s mistakes opened the door for Field to advance. What followed was one of the day’s most intense matchups: two double One More Time rounds against Ryan Tuerck, with Field eventually finding the winning line.

In the semi-final, Field’s Corvette proved too strong for Jhonnattan Castro, setting up a Final with James Deane. The Irishman had beaten Sorensen, Masuyama, and Adam LZ to reach the last battle, but contact from Deane’s Mustang during the chase run earned Field the win - his first since Long Beach 2023. “It’s been one hell of weekend!” Field said. “We came with a package that wasn’t performing but… we were improving with every battle.”

Deane’s second place moved him into the championship lead, 30 points ahead of Fredric Aasbo after Aasbo’s early exit. LZ’s third-place finish kept him tied with Field for third overall, while BMW overtook Toyota in the Auto Cup standings. With two rounds left, Utah becomes the next critical step in the chase for the 2025 title. For Deane, Utah will offer a shot at becoming Formula DRIFT’s first five-time champion.

TUNING 365 @ FD SEATTLE

While FD drivers battled it out on track at Evergreen Speedway, the infield hosted a different, less high stakes kind of competition: ��ֱ��'s Tuning 365 showcase. The Seattle-area stop brought together a diverse range of builds. The mix highlighted the Northwest’s blend of grassroots ingenuity and show-quality presentation, with many owners putting in the same attention to detail you’d expect from any top-tier car build.

Imports were well represented, with standout JDM-inspired street cars alongside purpose-built track machines. Domestic muscle added variety, often drawing crowds for both their styling and mechanical work. Creative wheel setups, bespoke interiors, and clean engine bays were in no short supply.

Spectators moving between the paddock and grandstands often paused to take in the display, making the showcase an integral part of the Monroe event experience. For many, it was a chance to connect with builders face-to-face and see the details that social media posts can’t always capture. As with every Tuning 365 stop, awards were given to recognize craftsmanship and creativity, wrapping up a strong showing before attention shifted back to the final tandem battles on track.

Congrats to our 3 award winners! Randolf’s 2023 GR Supra won Tuner Battlegrounds! Jacob’s 1970 Datsun 510 was Dylan Hughes’ choice and David's 1994 Supra was the Editor’s choice.

Check back regularly and stay tuned for a full coverage on T365 @ FD!

Video and photos by PJ Miller (@megapixelsniper)

Car Hacking Village 2025: How Hackers Are Finding Flaws in Modern Cars

2025-08-12T01:32:49+00:00

We all remember that moment in The Fast and the Furious when Brian O’Conner’s laptop flashes “Warning: Danger to Manifold” before a panel pops off. Cheesy? Absolutely. But we loved it anyway. For many of us, it was our first taste of a world where technology — and a few keystrokes — could make a car faster.

Fast-forward almost 25 years, and cars have changed beyond recognition. Today’s vehicles are rolling computers, packed with complex software, encrypted systems, and safety features. That evolution has brought better performance, security, and convenience, but it’s also made them harder to understand, repair, and modify without deep technical skill.

For aftermarket performance companies, this shift is a major challenge. Tuning a modern car often means breaking through secured software, which not only risks voiding the factory warranty but can also put the shop in hot water with the EPA for violating strict emissions laws. What used to be a straightforward upgrade is now a legal and technical balancing act — where the wrong change could cause serious issues.

This is where DEFCON’s Car Hacking Village (CHV) comes in. For those unfamiliar, DEFCON is the world’s largest hacking convention, held every year in Las Vegas. It draws top minds from around the globe: computer hackers, lockpicking pros, and cybersecurity specialists — all chasing the thrill of solving the toughest technical challenges.

This year, teams of up to 20 cyber gurus went head-to-head hacking two supplied vehicles: the Rivian R1T pickup and the Rivian EDV electric delivery van. Over the course of the weekend, competitors dove into the digital guts of these machines, racing against the clock to unlock doors, trick sensors, and map out internal systems. The entire challenge took place in a safe, controlled environment, testing which team could uncover weaknesses in the software and manipulate the car’s data to their advantage.

Event organizers had hidden special messages, called “flags,” within each vehicle’s software. Finding a flag meant you had successfully solved that part of the puzzle, and each one was worth a set number of points. The competition followed the classic hacker format known as Capture the Flag (CTF), and by the end of the weekend, the team with the most points walked away with bragging rights, challenge coins, and the satisfaction of digitally breaking into the vehicles.

Isn’t the point to protect vehicles, not teach hackers how to break into them? Yes — but the only way to truly protect something is to understand how it can be attacked. By exposing flaws and demonstrating how they can be exploited, cybersecurity experts can patch weaknesses before criminals get the chance.

While CHV keeps challenges under wraps until the event, this year’s tasks included:

Unlocking the Car – Understanding a locking system and safely opening it without the original key.

Messing with Sensors – Fooling cameras, radar, or parking sensors into misreading their surroundings.

Mapping the Car’s Systems – Tracing messages inside the car’s “nervous system” to see which ones control what.

Firmware/Software Puzzles – Reverse-engineering the code that runs key systems.

Wireless Entry Simulation – Experimenting with key fob signal attacks in a safe testbed.

For example, the vendor floor featured the Flipper Zero for sale — a legal, pocket-sized multi-tool for electronics testing. On its own, it’s harmless. But custom firmware circulating on the dark web can turn it into something far more dangerous, allowing it to bypass Rolling Code Security — the system most modern cars rely on to prevent key fob cloning.

The concerning part? How simple it is. With the altered firmware installed, an attacker only needs to be within range to intercept a single button press from a target’s key fob — say, when the owner locks or unlocks their car. From that one captured signal, they could replicate the digital “key” and potentially gain access without ever touching the original fob.

All of this is done under strict rules: no cheating, no bullying, and no after-hours sneaking.

Outside of hacking competitions, regular car enthusiasts are running into the same wall. In the Fast and Furious era, more speed often meant adding performance parts and turning wrenches. Today, those gains live inside encrypted software that controls the ECU. Manufacturers lock it down with encryption keys, tamper detection, and over-the-air updates that can instantly undo modifications.

These measures:

Help keep cars safe, secure, and within emissions laws.

Also make it harder for hobbyists to personalize or improve performance without advanced technical skills or expensive tools.

Mean even successful tunes can be erased by a software update.

Manufacturers argue this protects drivers and keeps cars compliant. Enthusiasts argue it limits creativity and the freedom to modify their own vehicles. What used to be a hands-on garage hobby is now closer to a computer science project.

With AI now advancing into daily life, it’s becoming even more important for automotive companies to lock down their products — not just to protect customers, but to safeguard their brands. They must defend against enthusiasts trying to crack the software, protect themselves from liability if an incident occurs, and secure their code so hackers can’t steal and copy it.

Whoever controls the code, controls the car.

Story and Photography by Brian Maroney (@voidednsx)

Coverage - ����ֱ�� is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999