Irish driver Conor Shanahan snatched control of the 2023 Drift Masters European Championship (DMEC) title race ahead of the series’ final showdown round after just missing out on victory at Rd 5 in Ferropolis, Germany, to defending champion Piotr Wiecek of Poland. Here is all you need to know:
– In what was a gripping spectacle from start to finish at the picturesque Ferropolis circuit, Wiecek clinched a hard-fought victory as 51 drivers were whittled down to the final winner amidst a flurry of dramatic twists and turns.
– Rising to the occasion for the second time this season, it was Wiecek who outclassed Irish maestro and now championship leader Shanahan in an adrenaline-pumping finale, which even required a One More Time battle to crown a victor.
– In the lead up to taking the top spot , Wiecek showed why he’s the defending series champion, dispatching Finnish driver Juha Poytalaakso, Czech driver Michal Reichert and Estonians Oliver Randalu and Kevin Pesur to set up a dream finale against Shanahan.
– The two battles between the younger Shanahan brother and Wiecek were one the highlights of the season to date and will be etched into the memory of Drift Masters fans.
– Securing the third and final step on the podium for the first time ever was Estonian driver Kevin Pesur, who has gone from strength-to-strength in first DMEC season. He showed his intent as he pushed Finnish championship contender Lauri Heinonen around the German circuit to take a first taste of silverware.
– One of the shock moments of the entire weekend came in just the 12th battle of the day, during the Top 32 round, where then championship leader Jack Shanahan suffered a huge dent in his championship hopes at the hands of Israeli youngster Itay Sadeh.
– Sadeh proved just why he deserves his place on the grid as he beat Shanahan to set up a Top 16 battle with his younger brother, Conor. He lost to the new championship leader, but rest assured Sadeh’s is a name to watch for years to come.
– With the smoke settled at the ‘City of Iron’, the championship fight will come down to the grand final of the 2023 Drift Masters European Championship, which takes place at the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw, Poland, on September 15–16.
– With five rounds now in the books and four different winners so far this season, the championship standings are closer than they’ve ever been, guaranteeing and exciting and explosive end to the season.
2023 Drift Masters European Championship driver standings
- Conor Shanahan IRE 351 points
- Lauri Heinonen FIN 321
- Jack Shanahan IRE 312
- Juha Rintanen FIN 311
- Piotr Wiecek POL 293
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