James Deane Driving a Ford for Formula Drift 2023

James Deane has firmly established himself as one of the fastest-growing personalities in the sport of drifting and continues to grow a following that is bigger than any Irish motorsport personality in the world. James began competitive drifting back in 2006 and was behind the wheel of a Ford Sierra competing in the Prodrift Junior Championship, now fast forward to 2023 and he is once again drifting a Ford only this time it is the new AutoZone Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD with 1,111 horsepower.

James makes his return to “Formula Drift” the world’s premiere drift series, after a three-year hiatus from the championship which saw the Irishman take home the Championship in three consecutive seasons (2017, 2018, 2019).

Not Competing in US Drifting but Dominating Everywhere Else

Even though he was not competing in US drifting, James was definitely not kicking back and taking it easy with wins at the DriftNeu North Cyprus Championship Finals, Goodwood Festival of Speed Driftkhana competition, the LZ Festival Mondello Park and multiple podiums in the Drift Masters European Championship all in 2022.

If James were to win the 2023 series he would secure a record-setting 4th Formula Drift Championship win for himself and a 3rd Championship win for the team RTR Motorsports.

James Deane Won’t Be Alone…

Deane has signed with RTR Motorsport Drift Team for the 2023 Formula Drift Season and he will be driving the AutoZone Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD which they have specially prepared right-hand drive for him. Deane will be competing in Long Beach and will have three other teammates one of which is Chelsea DeNofa who placed 2nd in 2020 and 4th in 2021 and 2022, he is a big fan favourite due to his no-lift entry style. Then we have world champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. who after a year-long break from Competition will be making his comeback this season previously having won two championships for the RTR Motorsports Team before his hiatus.

Earlier this year RTR announced that Adam LZ would be driving a condensed season with RTR and that Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Adam LZ would split driving duties behind the wheel of the new 2024 Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD

Pre Season Testing In The Right Hand Drive Mustang

James finally gets his hands on his 2023 Season Right Hand Drive Mustang and what a beast, the noise is unbelievable and it just sounds like it has ridiculous power under the bonnet it had a few teething issues with jittery power steering but with a bit of Blue Peter magic they popped on an electronic power steering pump they prepared earlier and the job was a good one. In his latest YouTube video, we see him getting behind the wheel for the first time. The car was built by the RTR Team but was also contributed to by some incredible partners such as TYPE S Automotive, NGK Spark Plugs, Pennzoil, and OPTIMA Batteries who all played their part in making this monster of a car a reality. You can watch the first Test drive and Inside Media Day video below.

Best of Luck for the 2023 Season RTR Motorsports

We at Ford Fam wish James and all of the team at RTR Motorsport all the best for the 2023 Season and we have every faith the boys will be securing that win in these awesome machines.