While the total number of participants was slightly low at 28 across AWD and RWD classes, the schedule was likely satisfying for the competing drivers, thanks to extensions in free practice time and the inclusion of a repechage round. The event was filled with non-stop laughter from the morning on, creating a friendly and harmonious atmosphere—a way of enjoying the Drift Challenge that is truly unique to these events.
The track layout consisted of an acceleration section leading into an S-curve, followed by a straight shot toward the judges' stand. While it may look easy to master at first glance, the crucial acceleration area was inclined, making the track extremely difficult to navigate while keeping the machine’s movement stable.
■ RWD Expert Class
Winner: Jun
2nd Place: Shimanchu
3rd Place: Hiroton
The RWD class featured only the Expert division. With RWD users increasing rapidly at G-Circuit since last year and everyone working together to promote the category, the skill level of all participants was very high, leading to extremely rigorous judging in both the qualifiers and the final. In the qualifiers, Jun secured the top spot with a significant 3-point lead over runner-up Shimanchu. Furthermore, from 3rd place Ya-ma- onward, the field was extremely tight. In the final, the top drivers raised their scores even further, repeatedly hitting the high 90s. Among them, Shimanchu delivered a very powerful performance with full throttle from the start, marking a 98. Faced with that score, qualifying leader Jun was under immense pressure. However, unfazed, he delivered a near-perfect run, scoring 98.8 points—the highest in the RWD class—to secure a brilliant victory.
■ AWD Expert Class
Winner: NAKA
2nd Place: Icchi
3rd Place: MonMAX
The AWD Expert Class had the fewest participants of the classes held, and because no one was eliminated in the qualifiers, the atmosphere was more relaxed, resulting in many drivers pushing hard and posting high scores. NAKA took the top spot with a 96.5-point run that was on par with the Super Expert class. However, other drivers followed suit with 90-plus scores, putting pressure on NAKA during the qualifiers. Then, the final began. The drivers who had scored in the 90s in the qualifiers all fell victim to repeated mistakes, and with only NAKA left to run, every other driver was stuck in the 80s, making it a tumultuous final. NAKA, running last, also made a mistake on his first pass, but he successfully pulled it together on his second to take the win.
■ AWD Super Expert Class
1st Place: Masamy
2nd Place: Kin
3rd Place: Clutch
The Super Expert class is limited to drivers with a D1 certification or higher from the Yokomo Drift Meeting. Due to the high number of participants, a repechage round was held, just as it was in the previous Shiga round. Although the Drift Challenge final usually features the top 8, two more were selected via the repechage, resulting in a 10-person final. Clutch and da1suke advanced from the repechage. Among the field, Kin took the top spot in qualifiers, exciting the crowd with a 100-point caliber run. Second place went to the rapidly improving young driver Miyashita No. 1, and third to Take, the winner of the previous Yokomo Drift Meeting D1 class. In the final, Clutch, who had advanced from the repechage, immediately hammered out a 98. However, Masamy, who ran afterward, exceeded Clutch's score to jump into the lead. Kin, the qualifying leader who ran last, also posted a high score, but could not surpass Masamy’s score, giving Masamy the victory.
AWD/RWD Tandem Exhibition Match
RWD Tandem Exhibition Match Winner
Jun
AWD Tandem Exhibition Match Winner
Takamy
A tandem exhibition match was held once again. The tandem runs, decided by lottery, were the highlight of the event for every class. Jun won in the RWD class, securing a double title along with his RWD Expert win. In the AWD class, Takamy won thanks to his outstanding stability and tandem skills once the actual pursuit began. After failing to show his true potential in the Super Expert class, this was a very welcome win.
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