Anyone who knows drifting, knows James Deane, and certainly knows that he’s arguably the greatest competitive drifter on the planet. This season’s Drift Masters European Championship has been far from straight forward for the Irishman, but yet again, Deane has shown why he’s the best in the game.

However, for the final round of the 2019 Drift Masters European Championship, it was time to shine the spotlight on another Irishman, Jack Shanahan, who took the event win after an incredible series of events.

Qualifying set the tone for what would be an unprecedented day in European drifting, which saw adverse weather & conditions. Conor Shanahan ultimately took first place ahead of the battles, but there were plenty of surprises to come…

Duane McKeever would fall foul of his fellow Irishman Jack Shanahan in the Top 16, eliminating him from the championship race and crowning James Deane the 2019 Drift Masters European Champion.

James Deane himself ended up in the barriers and out of the competition when his car aquaplaned in the treacherous conditions at the Top 8.

However, it was Jack Shanahan who would persevere against fierce competition, defeating Andrius Vasiliauskas and Elias Hountondji in the Top 8 and Top 4 respectively, before beating wildcard and fellow Irish driver Lee Scott in an action-packed final.

Elias Hountondji would then go on to claim the third and final podium position, as he overcame his older brother Johannes Hountondji in an incredible all-Red Bull Driftbrothers play-off battle.

On paper, you would be forgiven for thinking that this season’s Drift Masters European Championship was a foregone conclusion before it even started. Another Irish champion maybe, but those who followed us across six different European countries will know the real story of how James Deane claimed his second Drift Masters European Championship in a row. It was far from straightforward.

To round out an incredible 2019 Drift Masters European Championship season from all of us here at Drift Masters, we just want to say a massive thank you to each and every one of of our amazing drivers, sponsors, fans, media and just about everyone else involved, for supporting our championship this season, either online or in-person at our events.

Don’t get too upset that it’s all over though, because we’ll be back very soon with more information about the 2020 Drift Masters European Championship season! And of course, if you missed the final round’s action, or any event this season for that matter, you can re-watch all of our DMEC 2019 rounds on Red Bull TV or on the Drift Masters Facebook page.
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