Events - �ֲ��ý is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999

2026 Formula Drift PRO Championship Round 3 Results – Orlando

2026-06-01T15:44:01+00:00

Odi Bakchis Wins Formula DRIFT Orlando and Takes Championship Lead

Photos Courtesy of Formula DRIFT

Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis scores his first victory in nearly two years and takes over the championship lead after defeating James Deane in the Final.

Date: May 30, 2026
Location: Orlando Speed World – Orlando, FL

FD PRO Round 3 Results

Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis (Lithuania) – Feal Suspension / GT Radial / Subimods Subaru BRZ
James Deane (Ireland) – O’Reilly / Pennzoil Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD
Fredric Aasbo (Norway) – Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra

Formula DRIFT Round 3 at Orlando Speed World saw drivers contend with changing weather and an evolving track surface throughout the day and evening. When the competition concluded, Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis claimed his first Formula DRIFT victory since Round 7 of the 2024 season after defeating James Deane in the Final.

The victory marked the first win for Bakchis and his new Feal Suspension / GT Radial / Subimods Subaru BRZ. After years campaigning his Nissan S15 chassis, the switch to Subaru has produced immediate results. Bakchis opened the season with a fifth-place finish at Long Beach before qualifying first and finishing third at Road Atlanta. His victory in Orlando moves him from third to first in the championship standings.

Bakchis’ route to victory included wins over Simen Olsen, Dan Burkett, Jack Shanahan, and Branden Sorensen before defeating Deane in the Final. The result also marked the second time Bakchis has beaten Deane in a Formula DRIFT Final, having previously done so at Round 7 of the 2024 season.

Despite finishing second, Deane maintained his position near the top of the championship standings. The five-time champion leaves Orlando trailing Bakchis by just eight points after recording his second consecutive podium finish.

Fredric Aasbo continued his recovery after a difficult Round 2 weekend. The Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra driver reached the podium after advancing to the Final 4 before falling to Deane. The third-place finish elevated Aasbo from ninth to fourth in the championship standings.

Branden Sorensen continued his strong start to the 2026 season with a fourth-place finish in the Sorensen Motorsports / Quad Lock BMW. The result moves Sorensen into third overall in the championship chase as he continues to build momentum through the opening rounds.

Entering Orlando as the championship leader, Conor Shanahan endured a difficult weekend. After qualifying 23rd, the Red Bull / GT Radial / JYR Toyota GT86 driver faced fellow Irishman James Deane in the Top 32 and was eliminated early. The result dropped Conor Shanahan from first to fifth in the championship standings. Meanwhile, brother Jack Shanahan enjoyed a stronger weekend, finishing sixth on the night and moving into sixth overall in the championship standings.

Chris Forsberg converted his top qualifying effort into a fifth-place finish after losing to Sorensen in the Great 8. Meanwhile, Cole Richards once again earned top rookie honors. The Richards Racing Toyota GT86 driver finished ninth overall and remains the highest-ranked rookie after three rounds of competition.

In the 2026 Formula DRIFT Auto Cup standings, Ford maintained its lead over Toyota, while GT Radial continues to lead the FD Tire Cup.

Next Round

Round 4 of the 2026 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship and Round 2 of the PROSPEC Championship head to Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, for Battle at the Springs, taking place June 18-20.

For tickets, livestream coverage, and additional event information, visit formulad.com.

June 2026 Event Calendar

2026-05-29T16:45:39+00:00

32 Years Deep: Southeast MiniTruckin Nationals

2026-05-22T15:29:52+00:00

32 Years Deep: Southeast MiniTruckin Nationals

Story and Photography by Chris Gosda (@photosbycg13)

The 32nd Annual Southeast MiniTruckin Nationals once again drew a massive crowd, with this year’s event feeling busier earlier than ever. Thursday night cruising had the energy of a typical Friday, while Friday inside the showgrounds felt more like the event’s traditional Saturday turnout. By Saturday, spectator attendance was so heavy that parking stretched nearly a mile away from the venue.

Inside the grounds, attendees packed vendor booths throughout the weekend, shopping for event merchandise, detailing products, custom parts, and fabrication accessories while checking out featured builds and live demonstrations. Pinstriping artists worked on-site while Rose Metal Works demonstrated metal fabrication techniques at its booth.

More than 700 vehicles filled the event, ranging from fresh builds completed just days before the show to longtime projects brought out of storage specifically for the weekend. The variety covered nearly every style imaginable, including traditional mini trucks, lifted trucks, tandem-axle builds, slammed cruisers, radical custom projects, and even mini-truck-inspired cars.

Builders traveled from across the United States and Canada, with some participants making the trip from as far away as California and Washington.

Saturday’s schedule included the DJMazeRadio live podcast on stage, autograph sessions with Mike Finnegan, and the annual charity auction benefiting families in need along with Shop With a Cop. Unlike previous years, the weather cooperated throughout most of the weekend, giving attendees clear skies and comfortable temperatures for the event.

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FuelFest Dallas-Fort Worth Takes Over Texas Motor Speedway

2026-05-20T16:39:46+00:00

FuelFest Returns to Texas Motor Speedway

Photography by Joshua Brittain (@brittainmedia)

FuelFest returned to Texas Motor Speedway on April 25, bringing another packed mix of drifting, ride-alongs, live entertainment, and custom builds to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. What started years ago as a tribute to automotive culture tied closely to the Fast & Furious franchise has continued evolving into something much larger — part car show, part motorsports exhibition, and part festival experience.

By midday, the infield was packed with everything from widebody imports and purpose-built drift cars to lifted trucks, exotics, muscle cars, and Euros. Instead of catering to a single niche of the automotive world, the event brought together multiple corners of car culture in one place.

One of the biggest draws throughout the day was the drifting program. Tire smoke constantly rolled across the speedway as professional drivers pushed tandem runs around the course while fans lined the barriers for a closer look. Ride-along sessions gave attendees the chance to experience the action firsthand, whether climbing into drift cars or specially modified stock car-style machines ripping around the oval.

Outside the drift areas, the show field remained packed with highly personalized builds from across the region. The mix of styles and platforms helped showcase the broad range of vehicles that continue shaping modern enthusiast culture, from track-focused builds to full show cars and everything in between.

FuelFest also gave attendees access to vendor booths, sponsor displays, merchandise areas, and sections of the paddock where crews worked on cars between sessions. Behind-the-scenes access around the garages and staging lanes added another layer to the experience, allowing fans to get closer to the cars and drivers throughout the day instead of viewing everything strictly from the sidelines.

As the sun began setting over Texas Motor Speedway, the combination of drifting, music, and thousands of enthusiasts created the kind of atmosphere that has become synonymous with FuelFest events. From ride-alongs and drifting to the packed show field and paddock access, the Dallas-Fort Worth stop delivered a full day centered around multiple sides of modern car culture.

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2026 Formula Drift Round 2 Results – Vaughn Gittin Jr Wins at Road Atlanta

2026-05-11T15:39:55+00:00

Photos Courtesy of Formula DRIFT

2026 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Round 2 Results – Road Atlanta

Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes a surprise victory over James Deane as the championship standings tighten after Round 2.

Date: May 9, 2026
Location: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – Braselton, GA

FD PRO Round 2 Results

Vaughn Gittin Jr. (USA) – Monster Energy Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD
James Deane (Ireland) – O'Reilly / Pennzoil Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD
Branden Sorensen (USA) – Sorensen Motorsports / Quad Lock BMW

Formula DRIFT returned to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for Round 2 of the 2026 PRO Championship season, delivering one of the biggest shakeups of the year so far. Vaughn Gittin Jr. emerged with the win after defeating RTR teammate and five-time Formula DRIFT PRO Champion James Deane in the Final following an uncharacteristic mistake from the Irish driver.

The victory marked Gittin’s first win over Deane in four competitive meetings and added another chapter to one of Formula DRIFT’s most recognizable rivalries. Although Gittin now competes part-time, the Road Atlanta win immediately pushed him into fifth place in the championship standings while taking valuable points away from several title contenders.

For Deane, Atlanta represented a strong rebound after an early Top 16 exit during Round 1 at Long Beach. His second-place finish moved him from ninth to second overall in the standings and quickly put his championship campaign back on track.

Branden Sorensen continued his impressive start to the 2026 season with another deep competition run in the Sorensen Motorsports / Quad Lock BMW. The 21-year-old narrowly missed advancing to the Final after a close Final 4 battle against Deane, but his podium finish elevated him to fourth in the championship standings.

Conor Shanahan entered Road Atlanta carrying momentum from his Round 1 victory but struggled in qualifying, placing 24th overall in the Red Bull / GT Radial / JYR Toyota GT86. Despite the difficult start, Shanahan fought back through the bracket and defeated his brother Jack Shanahan in the Top 16, marking the first competitive sibling battle in Formula DRIFT PRO history. His weekend ended in the Great 8 after a clutch issue forced him to withdraw, but he still leaves Atlanta leading the championship standings.

Several major contenders suffered difficult weekends. Fredric Aasbo was eliminated in the Top 32 following contact with Rudy Hansen during initiation, dropping the Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra driver from second to ninth in the standings. Adam LZ was also eliminated early after debeading a tire during his battle with Trenton Beechum.

Matt Field’s weekend came undone after contact from Ken Gushi damaged the steering rack area on his Corvette during the Top 32. Although repairs were completed within the allotted time, officials deemed the car unsafe to continue, ending Field’s weekend prematurely.

The leading rookie once again was Cole Richards in the Richards Racing Toyota GT86. Richards finished 11th overall in Atlanta and currently sits eighth in the championship standings.

In the 2026 Formula DRIFT Auto Cup standings, Ford overtook Toyota for the overall lead, while GT Radial continues to lead the FD Tire Cup.

Next Round

Round 3 of the 2026 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship heads to Orlando Speed World on May 29-30. Round 2 of the PROSPEC Championship takes place at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, on June 18-20.

For tickets, livestream coverage, and additional event information, visit formulad.com.

�ֲ��ý’s Tuning365 Tour Returns to Road Atlanta for Formula DRIFT Atlanta

2026-06-12T19:08:55+00:00

�ֲ��ý’s Tuning365 Tour Returns to Road Atlanta for Formula DRIFT Atlanta

�ֲ��ý’s Tuning365 Car Show returned to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta this weekend as part of Formula DRIFT Atlanta, marking the second stop of the 6th Annual �ֲ��ý’s Tuning365 Tour. Returning to Road Atlanta for the fourth time since 2021, the showcase once again brought together enthusiasts from across the Southeast for a weekend packed with drifting, community, and some of the region’s most impressive custom builds.

With more than 50 vehicles featured throughout the showcase area, the event highlighted everything from meticulously restored classics and purpose-built drift cars to modern imports, VIP builds, and track-inspired street machines. Throughout the weekend, competitors and spectators filled the paddock atmosphere surrounding Formula DRIFT’s high-energy competition, while GRIDLIFE’s presence at the facility added even more energy to an already packed weekend of motorsports and automotive culture.

Together, the events created one of the strongest Tuning365 showcases the tour has seen at Road Atlanta.

�ֲ��ý’s Tuning365 Tour continues to grow as a destination for enthusiasts looking to display their builds at some of North America’s biggest automotive events. Formula DRIFT Atlanta once again proved to be one of the tour’s most passionate stops, with competitors traveling from across the region to be part of the showcase.

In addition to the vehicle showcase itself, competitors had the opportunity to be recognized through a series of special awards presented throughout the weekend. A total of 13 awards were handed out, including the coveted Editor’s Choice Award, Driver’s Choice Award selected by Formula DRIFT Pro Driver Dylan Hughes, and �ֲ��ý’s Tuner Battlegrounds Presented by LIQUI MOLY Award.

All award winners received prize packs courtesy of Meguiar’s, while the Editor’s Choice, Driver’s Choice, and Tuner Battlegrounds winners took home expanded Meguiar’s gift bags in recognition of their standout builds.

Editor’s Choice Award

Taking home the Editor’s Choice Award was Dylon DaSilva and his aggressively styled 1990 Nissan 300ZX representing M3D USA.

Driver’s Choice Award

Formula DRIFT Pro Driver Dylan Hughes selected JJ Alfano’s 1978 Pontiac Trans Am for the Driver’s Choice Award.

Tuner Battlegrounds Presented by LIQUI MOLY

Winning the Tuner Battlegrounds Presented by LIQUI MOLY Award was Meghan Rae and her 2025 Toyota GR Corolla.

Tuning365 Formula DRIFT Atlanta Top 10

Zach Melissas – 1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R R32

Jay Amaya – 2008 Nissan 350Z

Michael Keck – 2006 Cadillac XLR

Casey Culberson – 1989 Nissan 240SX

Mauro Varela – 2005 Nissan 350Z Vert

Tae Chang – 2007 Honda S2000

Jack Batalski – 1995 Honda Prelude

Anthony Boksa – 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

Aiden Poole – 1998 Nissan 240SX S14

Adam Hong – 1995 Lexus SC300

As the second stop of the 2026 �ֲ��ý’s Tuning365 Tour, Formula DRIFT Atlanta continued the momentum from the opening event of the season while reinforcing the strong connection between grassroots car culture and professional drifting.

The �ֲ��ý and Tuning365 teams would like to thank all competitors, spectators, Formula DRIFT staff, partners, and sponsors who helped make the Atlanta stop another successful weekend.

The 6th Annual �ֲ��ý’s Tuning365 Tour now heads toward its next stop as the season continues across North America with more events, more builds, and more opportunities for enthusiasts to showcase their passion.

Stay tuned to �ֲ��ý.com, TunerBattlegrounds.com, and Tuning365.events for full galleries, event coverage, and upcoming tour announcements.

Under the Texas Sun: Tuning 365 x SRO GT World Challenge America

2026-04-28T15:28:45+00:00

Story by Jamie Lake
Photography by Rj Lake (@nerdy.m3dia)

The Texas heat showed up early at Circuit of the Americas, and it didn’t let off. By mid-morning, the pavement was already radiating that familiar warmth that makes you second-guess black interiors and appreciate any bit of shade you can find. But if there’s one thing the Tuning 365 crowd doesn’t do, it’s back down from the heat.

Set against the backdrop of the GT World Challenge America weekend, the Tuning 365 Car Show felt right at home. You had the constant soundtrack of race cars ripping around the circuit, punctuated by announcers calling out podium finishes just a few steps away from the show field. It created a seamless blend of track energy and show culture—something you don’t get at your average parking lot meet.

The layout this year worked in everyone’s favor. With the car show section placed right next to the stage, participants weren’t just parked and forgotten—they were part of the action. You could lean against your car, talk builds with someone you just met, and then turn around to catch a podium ceremony happening in real time. It gave the whole experience a stronger sense of connection, like the show cars and race cars were sharing the same spotlight.

And people noticed. Foot traffic stayed steady all day, with spectators moving between the paddock, grandstands, and the show area. Every row had a crowd. Cameras were out, conversations were constant, and the variety kept things interesting—from clean OEM+ builds to fully dialed show cars that clearly didn’t come together overnight.

What really stood out wasn’t just the cars, but the people standing next to them. Most owners were right there with their builds—talking with anyone who stopped by, answering questions, and just enjoying the moment. For a lot of them, it felt like more than just another show. Being there alongside the racing, the media, and a crowd that genuinely appreciated it all made it feel a little more meaningful.

⸻

Top 10 Winners

* Jonathan Jones — 2005 Lexus GS300

* Caleb Allison — 2017 Ford Roush Mustang

* Jose Castro — 2019 Honda Civic Type R

* Brandon Armstrong — 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia

* Grant Wahlburg — 2011 Infiniti G37

* David Luna — 1999 Honda Integra Type R

* Steven Pena — 2007 Audi A8L

* Ricky Molis — 2015 Infiniti Q50

* Bryan Miguel — 2021 Toyota Supra

* Kevin Mercado — 2006 Acura RSX

Editor’s Choice: Ramon Maldonado — 1988 Honda Acty

Tuner Battlegrounds LIVE concluded with Jose David Alcantara, also known as Somer, taking the win in a 2009 Toyota Camry.

For Driver’s Choice, the award went to Jesse Billman’s LS-swapped 1988 BMW wagon.

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Events - �ֲ���ý is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999

2026 Formula Drift PRO Championship Round 3 Results – Orlando

Odi Bakchis Wins Formula DRIFT Orlando and Takes Championship Lead

FD PRO Round 3 Results

Next Round

June 2026 Event Calendar

Import Face-Off - Tulsa, OK - June 6

GRIDLIFE Midwest Festival - South Haven, MI - June 12-14

Import Face-Off - West Salem, OH - June 14

Formula DRIFT - Stafford, CT - June 18

Import Face-Off - Houston, TX - June 20

Slammedenuff - Atlanta, GA - June 20

Import Expo - Jacksonville, FL - June 20

CSCS - Canadian Sport Compact Series - Toronto, ON - June 21

LowClass - Albuquerque, NM - June 27

Import Expo - Toronto, ON - June 27

Slammedenuff - Grayslake, IL - June 28

32 Years Deep: Southeast MiniTruckin Nationals

32 Years Deep: Southeast MiniTruckin Nationals

GALLERY

FuelFest Dallas-Fort Worth Takes Over Texas Motor Speedway

FuelFest Returns to Texas Motor Speedway

GALLERY

2026 Formula Drift Round 2 Results – Vaughn Gittin Jr Wins at Road Atlanta

2026 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Round 2 Results – Road Atlanta

FD PRO Round 2 Results

Next Round

�ֲ���ý’s Tuning365 Tour Returns to Road Atlanta for Formula DRIFT Atlanta

�ֲ���ý’s Tuning365 Tour Returns to Road Atlanta for Formula DRIFT Atlanta

Editor’s Choice Award

Driver’s Choice Award

Tuner Battlegrounds Presented by LIQUI MOLY

Tuning365 Formula DRIFT Atlanta Top 10

Under the Texas Sun: Tuning 365 x SRO GT World Challenge America

Events - �ֲ��ý is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999

�ֲ��ý’s Tuning365 Tour Returns to Road Atlanta for Formula DRIFT Atlanta

�ֲ��ý’s Tuning365 Tour Returns to Road Atlanta for Formula DRIFT Atlanta