Formula DRIFT Round 6: Throwdown – Preview & Livestream

Formula DRIFT returns for Round 6 at Evergreen Speedway, Seattle on Aug 09-10. Here’s the preview, schedule, and how to watch the free livestream.

Known for its challenging, high-speed layout with walls surrounding the outside of the track, Evergreen Speedway is a firm favorite among drivers and fans and is more than capable of delivering plenty of drama. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the event.

As we head into the second half of the 2024 Formula DRIFT season, the competition is heating up in the PRO series. There have been plenty of shocks and upsets, impressive performances, and dramatic moments so far.

James Deane’s typical consistent excellence has been a stand-out, while Hiroya Minowa’s historic podium finish at just 14 years old was a standout moment at Round 5 in St. Louis. The son of legendary Japanese drifters Shinji and Masayo Minowa is quickly making a name for himself on the international stage.

However, it wasn’t good news for everyone in Missouri. Adam LZ’s season was abruptly halted due to a severe crash against Minowa, which totaled his BMW E36.

Although LZ insisted at the time that it would mark the end of his FD season, the team at LZMFG managed a crazy turnaround, carrying out an entire rebuild with an all-new chassis in just one week in preparation for Seattle.

Right now, it seems the new E36 build will be there on the start line, and given the insane amount of effort, we expect LZ to be more determined than ever to fight for a podium spot.

Current Series Standings

Here are the Top 10 PRO drivers as we head into Round 6:

1. James Deane (454 points)
2. Aurimas (Odi) Bakchis (336 points)
3. Fredric Aasbo (310 points)
4. Hiroya Minowa (280 points)
5. Simen Olsen (280 points)
6. Matt Field (266 points)
7. Adam LZ (238 points)
8. Dylan Hughes (238 points)
9. Ken Gushi (238 points)
10. Branden Sorensen (238 points)

If LZ wants to clinch a podium spot, he’s going to have a serious fight on his hands. James Deane executed a flawless round in St. Louis, landing his third win of the season and extending his lead by creating a 118-point gap with 454 points at the top of the championship over second-placed Aurimas (Odi) Bakchis on 336 points, who had a disappointing round.

Fredric Aasbo, with 310 points, currently sits in third position, and as always, he’ll be ready to fight. His fellow countryman, Simen Olsen, currently sits in fifth with 280 points, level on points with fourth-placed Hiroya Minowa. His impressive performance caused the biggest upset of the last round, and he’ll undoubtedly be hunting down a repeat.

Just behind Olsen and Matt Field are four drivers currently on 238 points.

Adding to the excitement, although James Deane knocked Conor Shanahan out in the Top 8 at St. Louis, 11th-place Shanahan got his revenge shortly after, defeating Deane at the European Drift Masters event in Riga, Latvia.

While Shanahan’s FD journey hasn’t started as he’d hoped, America has yet to witness his full potential. This recent victory will undoubtedly give him a confidence boost heading into Seattle, where he’ll be eager to prove himself on American soil.

For this round, there’s no PROSPEC, with the drivers preparing for their final showdown in Grantsville, Utah on August 29-31.

Event Schedule & Livestream

Here’s the event schedule, along with the free YouTube livestream links to catch all the epic battles as they happen:

Friday, August 9, 2024

12:00PM – 1:30PM: Practice

3:00PM – 4:30PM: Warm Up

4:45PM – 8:00PM: Livestream: Seeding Bracket

Saturday, August 10, 2024

9:30AM – 11:30AM: Warm Up

12:00PM – 3:00PM: Livestream: Main Event: Top 32

4:45PM – 8:00PM: Livestream: Main Event: Top 16

8:15PM – 8:45PM: Trophy Ceremony

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

Larry Chen | Formula DRIFT

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