Lauri Heinonen claims his first Drift Masters title after a dramatic victory at the 2024 Grand Finale in Warsaw, edging out tough competition.
Lauri Heinonen secured his first-ever Drift Masters championship in a dramatic final at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw, Poland. Despite leading the points standings by 75 points, Heinonen knew a slip-up could cost him the title. His decisive Top 16 victory against Benediktas Cirba was the turning point.
The Finnish driver’s engine failure occurred just after crossing the finish line, a stroke of luck that kept his title hopes alive. Had the failure happened seconds earlier, Heinonen’s championship dream would have been dashed. Throughout the season, Heinonen had demonstrated remarkable consistency, and his performance under pressure proved to be the key to his triumph.
Meanwhile, Duane McKeever delivered an impressive performance in the Drift Masters Grand Finale. The Irish driver dominated the event, qualifying first with a standout 94.5 score and defeating top drivers like James Deane, Steve Biagioni, and Kevin Piskolty. McKeever faced Deane again in the final battle, ultimately winning the event and securing second place in the championship standings.
American rookie Adam LZ also made waves, securing his first-ever podium finish after an intense battle against Poland’s Piotr Wiecek.
2024 Drift Masters Championship Standings:
1. Lauri Heinonen (FIN) – 437 points
2. Duane McKeever (IRL) – 412 points
3. James Deane (IRL) – 409 points
4. Conor Shanahan (IRL) – 293 points
5. Paweł Korpulinski (POL) – 265 points
