Orlando delivered another chapter in what is shaping up to be one of the most compelling championship battles in recent Formula Drift memory. James Deane fought his way through a stacked bracket on a punishing surface to finish second overall, moving him to P2 in the championship standings with the season well and truly heating up. Ben Hobson took valuable learnings from a competitive showing and leaves Orlando with momentum building in the right direction.
Qualifying | Friday, May 29
The weather had other plans on qualifying day. Rain began rolling in almost the moment James left the line on his first run, but he still managed to post a 79.0 before coming back on his second run to better himself with an 80.9 on a wet track, earning P10 overall.
Ben followed a similar path, putting his best score on the board in his second run as well, with a 78.5 to qualify P13 under slightly less wet conditions. Both drivers adapted, and both moved on. That is all you can ask for when the sky opens up at the wrong moment.
Competition Day | Saturday, May 30
James and Ben entered the main event on opposite sides of the bracket, and both Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD’s were ready for battle.
Top 32
James drew fellow Irishman and neighbor Conor Shanahan for his opening battle, and the two wasted absolutely no time putting on a show. The run looked like it belonged in a final, not a Top 32. When the dust settled, all three judges sided with James in a unanimous decision. A statement wins to open the day.
Ben faced Jonathan Castro in his first battle and laid down a phenomenal lead run that set him up well. In the chase, a swipe right from the judges ended Ben's day in the Top 32. A tough result, but there are learnings to take and rounds still to come.
Top 16
James drew fan favorite and former RTR driver Adam LZ in the Top 16. It was anything but a straightforward battle, but when the judges deliberated, they advanced James to the Great 8. Two down, three battles more to go.
Great 8
Matt Field stood between James and the Final Four, and the two put on perhaps one of the best battles of the night. James started in the chase and immediately made his presence felt, getting nearly door to door with Field's Corvette. In the lead, James delivered a run that made the judges work for their decision. For the first time all night, it was a split, with two judges sliding left for James and one calling for a one-more-time. James advanced, but credit to Matt Field for pushing to the limit, what a show it made!
Final Four
Three-time Formula Drift champion Fredric Aasbo was next. James again started in the chase and maintained the proximity he needed throughout. In the lead, he went to work and earned his third unanimous decision of the night from the judges. Consistent, composed, and clinical. That is championship-level driving.
Finals
Odi Bakchis stood across from James in the final, and the OSW surface made tire management a critical factor heading into both runs. James did everything he could to protect his tires while keeping his competitive edge through lead and chase. In the end, the judges ruled in favor of Odi, but James walked away from Orlando with his second podium of the season and a result that speaks for itself.
Championship Picture
Three rounds in the books, and James Deane sits P2 in the Formula Drift championship standings, just eight points behind leader Odi Bakchis. The season is far from over, and the gap is very much within reach. Every point matters from here.
Next Stop: Stafford, Connecticut
Round 4 takes Formula Drift to one of the new tracks on the 2026 calendar, the Battle at the Springs in Stafford, Connecticut, June 18-20. A new venue, a fresh opportunity, and we’re ready for it.
