Castletownroche’s James Deane is taking his love of drifting to a new level with the launch of his first-ever drift event, 130 SHOWDOWN, which will bring some of the biggest names in the sport to Mondello Park this September.
The five-time Formula Drift champion and one of the most successful drift drivers in the world has announced that 130 SHOWDOWN will take place at Mondello Park on September 19 and 20, marking a major new addition to Ireland’s motorsport calendar.
Deane, whose journey in drifting began as a young driver from Castletownroche, has built an international reputation competing at the highest level of the sport. His hometown is officially listed as Castletownroche by RTR Vehicles, while his achievements include multiple Formula Drift and European titles.
Now, he is bringing some of that international experience home.
The inaugural 130 SHOWDOWN will feature a star-studded line-up, with Mad Mike Whiddett making his first-ever trip to Ireland among the headline attractions.
The event will also see the Worthouse S15s reunited on track, with the cars rebuilt specifically for the occasion, while Chelsea DeNofa, Odi, The Shanahans and Evenflow are also part of what promises to be an impressive weekend of drifting.
At the heart of the event will be a hand-picked Top 24 featuring international stars alongside Ireland’s finest drivers, with competitors going door-to-door in what organisers are promising will be two days of high-level drifting.
Saturday will feature a full Irish knockout competition, before the main 130 SHOWDOWN takes place on Sunday.
The weekend will also celebrate 20 years of James Deane, adding another significant milestone to an event that has been years in the making.
Away from the track, spectators will have plenty to see, with a major car show and trade village running throughout the weekend.
Tickets are already available, with prices starting at €35 for adults and €15 for children.
For Deane, who has spent much of his career competing on circuits around the world, the event represents a chance to bring the spectacle of international drifting back to Ireland.
And there is a particularly strong North Cork connection to the event. Deane’s Castletownroche roots have remained a defining part of his story as he progressed from a young enthusiast who discovered drifting at the age of 10 to one of the sport’s most decorated competitors.
The announcement comes during another hugely successful season for Deane. Earlier this year, he went head-to-head with fellow North Cork driver Conor Shanahan in the opening round of Drift Masters in Italy, while he also claimed victory at the Formula Drift round at Stafford in June.
Now the Castletownroche man is bringing the drift show home.
Elsewhere, Jack Shanahan is currently focused on getting himself fit enough to compete in Germany this weekend.
The Killavullen driver has arrived at Ferropolis for the latest Drift Masters round but has been forced to sit out practice after rolling his ankle while walking between stages at a local rally.
Despite the setback, Shanahan has confirmed that the ankle is not broken and that the team has spent the week resting it and getting it into the best possible condition.
“We have arrived in Germany but not without dramas,” Shanahan said in an update to supporters.
He is now hoping to be able to push through the pain when competition gets underway.
“Tomorrow will be hard but looking forward to it,” he added.
The injury comes at an important stage of the Drift Masters championship. Shanahan currently sits fifth in the championship standings on 244 points, with Deane third on 298 points.
The German round takes place at Ferropolis, with the 2026 Drift Masters calendar placing the event on August 13–15.
130 SHOWDOWN takes place at Mondello Park on September 19–20, with tickets available from €35.
