15-year-old Hiroya Minowa claims his first-ever Formula DRIFT PRO win, becoming the youngest winner in series history.
Round 3 of the 2025 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship brought the heat—literally and figuratively—to Orlando Speed World, with scorching temps and fierce battles. But it was Japan’s Hiroya Minowa who stole the show, taking the top step of the podium and making history in only his second season.
After besting veterans like Dmitriy Brutskiy, Connor Shanahan, and Fredric Aasbo, Minowa faced off against Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis in the Final 4 and Jhonnattan Castro in the Final. Despite Castro’s standout performance, Minowa’s precision and proximity were unmatched, earning him a well-deserved win—and a leap to third in the overall standings.
Seeding Standouts
In the Seeding Bracket, Irish rookie Jack Shanahan shined, taking first over Italy’s Federico Sceriffo, while returning legend Daigo Saito placed third. A new points system awarded Seeding competitors for each heat win, giving them a strategic boost entering the main competition.
Shifts in the Standings
With Aasbo exiting in the Top 8 and Deane falling in the Top 16, the title race is tightening. Bakchis, Castro, and Minowa are now tied at 80 points, trailing Aasbo by just 30.
In the Auto Cup, Toyota extends its lead thanks to a 1-2 finish, while Kenda continues to dominate the Tire Cup.
Next Stop: New Jersey
The championship continues at Englishtown, NJ on June 19–21, alongside Round 2 of the PROSPEC series.
