“Drift France Round 1 certainly set the season off with a bang!

“With the car doing double duty—Luke competing in Pro and myself in Elite – it made for a challenging weekend full of highs and lows. Luke received a wildcard entry to compete at the home track of LM Autosport 86 at Val d’Vienne just a few weeks before the event, which meant a huge push from the whole team to get everything dialled in for the season opener.”

“The event kicked off on Friday with media day. This included practice sessions and passenger runs for sponsors, the public, and championship officials. During testing, I was able to really push the car to its limits, although the day ended slightly early after breaking a lower arm on a rumble strip. The team worked hard that evening to repair and realign everything, getting the car ready for Saturday.

“Saturday consisted of practice and qualifying. During practice, Luke unfortunately bent the steering arm twice, but thanks to support from another driver, we were able to get back out in time for qualifying. With the Pro class running first in worsening weather conditions, Luke delivered a strong performance and secured 5th place.”

“I followed in the Elite qualifying session and managed a solid first run scoring 75 points, placing me 7th. On my second run, I pushed harder and went wider, but a slight wheel drop on clip 5 meant I matched my previous score—frustrating, as it likely cost a top 3 position.

“Sunday was race day. Luke drove a strong Top 16 battle to secure a place in the Top 8, but unfortunately had to withdraw due to a cracked rear diff plate causing an oil leak on track. Despite this, he finished an impressive 7th place in his first ever CFD event—great job!”

“After a rapid repair, the car was ready for my Top 32 battle. However, we quickly discovered a major loss of power. Post-run checks revealed a split inlet plenum, causing a significant loss of boost across the rev range. Up against a 1000hp competitor on one of the fastest tracks of the season, it was always going to be tough. I gave it everything, but multiple corrections in the chase run ultimately cost the battle.

“Overall, Round 1 was an incredible start to the season and a true team effort under pressure. It’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting CFD seasons yet.

“As always, thank you for your continued support—we look forward to seeing you all at the next event. Round 2 is just two weeks away, featuring an all-night battle at Vesoul.”

“Well… I’ve finally settled back into reality, wiped the tears away, and said goodbye to another amazing season of Drift France.

“The final took us to a brand-new circuit — and what an experience it was! The track was absolutely breathtaking: a sweeping layout with banked corners, fast inclines, and steep declines. It was quick, intense, and honestly terrifying for the first few laps!

“We kicked off the weekend strong — first lap as a feeler, then two solid push laps. Unfortunately, just as I was going out for a fourth lap, the battery voltage dropped to zero and the car lost all power. Limped it back to the pits and found the alternator had failed.

“What followed was a mad scramble: found a loaner (huge thanks to the community!), took a 2-hour drive to a nearby workshop, and just barely made it back in time for one last lap of final practice.

“Made some last-minute changes to prep for Sunday — we knew the weather was going to be bad — and tried to get some rest.”

“Woke up to the heaviest rain I’ve ever seen in France. The pits looked more like a lake. Gazebos were down all around us, but thankfully ours survived — albeit soaking wet.

“Warmed the car up and headed out for a very limited, wetter-than-wet practice session. The loan alternator held up (despite everything running: wipers, fans, lights, heaters — the lot), and we got some valuable laps in.

“Straight into Top 32 battles — my opponent: FIA Swiss driver Jahan. First time driving with him, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d seen his battles — big angles, a flashy style similar to mine — but this was our first head-to-head.

“I led the first run and felt strong through the first five clips, but pushed a bit too deep on the final hairpin and lost traction on the rumble strips — giving Jahan the upper hand.

“Chasing, I threw down everything I had — close proximity and solid mirroring despite the awful conditions — but that’s where my 2025 season ended.”

“What. A. Season! From mechanical failures to torrential rain to unforgettable battles, it’s been emotional. It’s been epic.

“I’m proud to say I finished Top 20 overall: something our small team can truly stand tall about. I’ve made lifelong friends, locked in my spot for 2026, and opened the door to potential new opportunities in France and across Europe.

“Massive thank you to everyone who’s been a part of this journey — whether in the pits, on the track, or supporting from afar. You made this season unforgettable.

“Here’s to 2026. Let’s see what’s next…”

“Where do I even start? Round 5 of Drift France took us deep into another idyllic French mountain setting — Calmont. The recipe? Winding mountain roads, scorching southern sun, stunning views… and mosquitos. Lots of mosquitos!”

Saturday – Slippery Start

“Saturday’s practice kicked off under wet conditions, which actually played in my favour thanks to plenty of previous experience in the wet. I was feeling confident and pushing the car hard — maybe a little too hard at times! The rear bumper was the first casualty, followed by a piece of the rear light, and eventually the full lens met the barrier. Whoops!

“As the day went on, the track dried up and we got back to full-speed, high-commitment drifting. It was game on!

“Straight after lunch, we headed into the One-Shot battles. I drew Jeremy Germain — a super competitive match-up — and despite a power steering failure that made the car a total handful up the hill, I managed to hold it together and take the win, securing a place in Sunday’s Top 32!

“That evening, a massive crowd of over 7,000 fans met us on the hill for autographs, photos, and a few unicorn encounters. The support and energy from the crowd were unreal!”

Sunday – Heat, Horsepower & Head-to-Heads

“Sunday was a scorcher — temperatures pushing into the mid-30s. After a short morning practice and parade lap, I faced my Top 32 battle against none other than former champion, Steve Lieber.

“Steve laid down a near-perfect lead run with an insane smoke screen. Chasing him in the intense heat, with almost no airflow and rising intake temps, my car struggled to keep pace. I knew my lead run was decent, but not my best of the weekend.

“To my surprise, I was announced the winner! After chatting with Steve, it turned out his car had thrown a belt mid-run, forcing him to shut it down. Not the way I like to win, but a win nonetheless — on to the Top 16!”

Top 16 – The Battle of the Orange War Paint

“Next up: Ben Vavasseur. I’ve driven with Ben before, but never in a competition setting. I knew he’d be fast and aggressive — I half expected some orange war paint and love taps!

“Ben put down a strong lead and I chased hard, staying tight throughout. Then it was my turn to lead, and honestly, I think I put in my best run of the entire weekend — hit all the clips and zones, giving Ben a clean, fast line to follow. Surprisingly, we both crossed the finish line clean — no paint traded!

“That’s where my weekend ended, bowing out in the Top 16. But what a weekend it was!”

Final Thoughts

“Round 5 at Calmont was easily one of the best Drift France events yet. Epic location, top-tier driving across the board, an electric atmosphere, and thousands of fans showing us love — it doesn’t get much better than this.

“Next up: The Grand Finale at Charade — a former F1 track nestled in the mountains of Auvergne. I’ve never driven it before, but I’ve heard nothing but good things. Surrounded by forest, history, and fast technical corners… I can’t wait.

“Let’s finish 2025 strong…”