This past weekend, from July 18th to 20th, the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, IL, hosted the 5th round of the Formula Drift Championship, aptly named Crossroads. The RTR Vehicles team had an eventful competition with Ben Hobson making significant strides in his rookie season and James Deane securing a spectacular victory furthering his lead in the overall points. From Ben’s first Top 32 battle to James’ thrilling final run against a young prodigy, the weekend was filled with intense battles, mechanical challenges, and triumphant moments that highlight the spirit and determination of the RTR Drift Team. Read on to relive the excitement of Round 5: Crossroads.
James Deane Wins at Round 5 of Formula Drift in St. Louis
Relive the thrill of Formula Drift’s Round 5 at World Wide Technology Raceway! RTR Vehicles' Drift Team captivated fans with unforgettable moments as they witnessed Ben Hobson’s breakthrough as he advanced to his first Top 32 battle and cheered for James Deane as he clinched a stunning victory, extending his lead in the championship.
Ben Hobson’s First Top 32 Battle
Ben Hobson made a significant stride in his Formula Drift Pro career by competing in the Top 32 for the first time. Previously, he had yet to make it out of the seeding bracket qualifying, so this was a pivotal moment. Ben’s first Top 32 battle was against Adam LZ. During Adam’s lead run, he had a hard hit into the wall, prompting his team to call a competition timeout. They managed to fix the car in five minutes, allowing Adam to continue.
In Ben's lead run, he encountered mechanical issues, losing 4th gear, which led the judges to call for a one more time (OMT) run. Adam led the OMT run, but Ben could not initiate the chase. The team identified that Ben's Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD had lost 3rd gear. After re-gearing the car, Ben was ready for his lead run against Adam. Unfortunately, the new gearing made it difficult for Ben to stay in the power band, causing him to come out of drift. Despite the setback, we are proud of Ben's progress and look forward to Round 6, aiming for further success in his rookie season.
James Deane’s Path to Victory
James Deane, on the other hand, had a stellar weekend. He started with a bye run in the Top 32, automatically placing him into the Top 16 competition, where he faced Jonathan Hurst.
Meeting Shanahan in Top 8
James advanced to the Top 8 after a decisive victory. His next challenge was fellow Irishman Conor Shanahan. Their runs were so close that the judges called for an OMT. James led the OMT run, and despite contact from Conor causing James to spin, he managed to secure his spot in the Final 4 after a clean chase run.
Final 4 Battle With Matt Field
In the Final 4, James led the first run against Matt Field. Towards the last outside zone, Matt made contact with James, hooking his front tire and causing him to spin out of drift. James ran a clean chase to advance to the finals, where he faced Hiroya Minowa.
The Final Battle with Hiroya Minowa
Hiro, a 14-year-old prodigy, posted an image on his Instagram, just last year, with one of James' autographed team shirts. Fast forward to 2024 and he’s now battling James Deane in the finals, what an exciting time to be a Formula Drift fan! The final battle was intense, but James emerged victorious, standing on the top spot and taking home 1st place in St. Louis.
Represent On and Off the Track
2024 Drift Team Gear
Looking Forward to Round 6 in Seattle
With this victory, James Deane now holds a commanding 118-point lead in the championship standings. As we move towards Round 6, the entire RTR Drift Team is motivated and ready to push the limits further. We are fired up for the next round and eager to continue this momentum. Stay tuned for more updates, behind-the-scenes action, and exclusive content from the world of Formula Drift. Follow us on social media and join the conversation using #RTRVehicles and #FormulaDrift.
