2025 Formula Drift Long Beach Recap

The 2025 Formula Drift season is off to an electric start as the RTR Drift Team comes out swinging at Formula Drift Long Beach! Didn't tune in? Read on for a full recap of the competition.

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By Jaron ColeApr 9, 20250 comments

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We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2025 Formula Drift season at Long Beach! The atmosphere was electric, and it felt great to be back on the track with our RTR Drift Team. Vaughn Gittin Jr. was there to support our guys, and we couldn’t be more proud of how James Deane and Ben Hobson kicked off the year.

James came out swinging, making it clear he’s ready to dominate again this season. Run after run, he hit his marks with the precision he’s known for, taking him to the finals. In an epic showdown with Fredric Aasbo, the judges called for One More Time (OMT) after their first battle was too close to call. In the OMT, James had his first slight misstep of the weekend, giving Aasbo just enough room to secure the win. Still, James finished on the podium with a strong second place and sits 2nd in points after Round 1. We know he’s hungry for more, and so are we!

Ben also made a statement this weekend. Coming off a strong finish in the Seeding 16, he looked confident behind the wheel of his new chassis. After securing his first-ever Top 16 appearance in the PRO series, Ben faced off against veteran Ryan Tuerck, who ultimately won. But with points from his Seeding 16 and Top 32 finish, Ben heads out of Long Beach sitting 10th in the standings. It’s the perfect way to kick off his season, and we couldn’t be happier with his progress.

We’re pumped about how both of our guys performed and how the cars handled. James’s car remained dialed in, and Ben’s new chassis fit him like a glove—he looked right at home behind the wheel. The foundation for this season has been laid, and we’re confident that it will be another dominant year for the RTR Drift Team. A huge shoutout to the fans who came out to support us and cheer on James and Ben. We felt the love, and it made the weekend even more special. We can’t wait to see you at Round 2 in Atlanta on May 8th-10th!