The Perfect Synergy of Exhibition and Competition: The Final Battle of the D1 Drift Grand Prix Ignites Dongguan as 56 Drivers Create a Drifting Epic

From October 17 to 19, 2025, the pinnacle of China’s drifting scene—the 2025 D1 Drift Grand Prix—concluded its annual championship in Dongguan with the largest and most competitive event in its history. As the most authoritative and influential drifting competition in China, this season finale of D1 was not only the ultimate test of driver skill but also a benchmark for measuring the development of China’s motorsport industry.

This year’s event attracted tens of thousands of on-site spectators and generated over one billion online impressions. The D1 live broadcast consistently exceeded ten thousand concurrent viewers. Through deep collaboration with the 2025 AIT China International Automotive Tuning Exhibition, the competition has transcended the boundaries of a single sporting event, successfully building an ecosystem that integrates top-tier competition, industrial momentum, and passionate car culture—powerfully leading China’s drifting sport into a new era!

Unprecedented Scale, A New Historical Milestone 

The Dongguan round of this year’s D1 competition has made history with its unprecedented level of participation. A total of 56 top drivers representing 22 drifting teams gathered in Dongguan, setting new records for both team count and driver numbers in the history of D1 China. These figures vividly demonstrate the growing vitality and strong appeal of China’s drifting sport, marking the beginning of a new stage in the event’s development.

Gathering from All Corners to Celebrate a Grand Event

This season finale became a grand parade of drifting teams from across the country. Northern teams such as 441B.W. Raiden Tire Drift Team, 1087X DRIFT TEAM, and Marvi Racing/Boss Panda Motorsports traveled long distances to compete in the south;

Led by powerhouse teams from East China—including the Zhongce Westlake Tire OPS Drift Team, Shanghai APEX Team, and Shanghai Chezhen Drift Team—regional contenders also made a strong and commanding appearance;

The GOLF Fashion DRIFT Team set off from Wuhan, the FASTER AOS Team advanced from Henan, and the Hunan D2D Team sounded the battle drums in Changsha—all converging on the battlefield together;

Teams from Hong Kong, China—such as Drift 4 and DRIFT.HK—also “drove north across the harbor” to join the roaring tide of this drifting spectacle, showcasing the powerful nationwide appeal of the D1 Grand Prix.

Clash of Titans, A Champion Crowned 

 At the heart of the event lies the competition and the drivers. In the fiercely contested tandem battles of Rd.3 and Rd.4, Zhang Shengjun from the ZERO KM Lubricants ZM Drift Team demonstrated absolute dominance. With exceptional skill and consistently solid performance, he secured back-to-back victories in both rounds, achieving the remarkable feat of becoming a “double champion.”

In Rd.3, Dong Shenghao (Shanghai APEX Team) and Li Xin (FASTER AOS) claimed second and third place respectively. On the Rd.4 podium, Zhu Yonglun (FASTER AOS) and Li Xin (FASTER AOS) took their spots. In addition, Zhang Shengjun also swept the Solo Run titles in both Rd.3 and Rd.4, proving his unmatched mastery in individual performance.

In the end, after a season of fierce competition, the honor of the 2025 D1 Drift Grand Prix Annual Tandem Champion was undisputedly claimed by Zhang Shengjun. His teammate Xue Kun took the annual runner-up title, while Wang Qi secured third place. This year-end ranking reaffirms the enduring rule of the strong prevailing in competition and brings the season to a triumphant close.

A Galaxy of Stars, International Fusion 

The allure of the track attracted drifting talents from around the world. This round featured participation from several internationally renowned drivers: New Zealand’s skilled driver Jordan Jorce competed on behalf of the Zhongce Westlake Tire Gulf Oil Drift Team;

Two renowned figures from Japan’s drifting scene—Suenaga Naoto (DORIMONS Drift Team) and Kawabata Makoto (Zhongce Westlake Tire OPS Drift Team)—also competed on the same stage, significantly enhancing the event’s international presence and competitive level.

In addition, numerous drivers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau also took to the track, collectively showcasing the unity and prowess of China’s drifting community.

Impressive Young Talents, a Promising Future

On the track, a particularly striking highlight came from two young “mini drivers.” Mo Wenxi (14) and Mo Shaochuan (10) from the DORIMONS Drift Team, though having only about a year of drifting experience, have already demonstrated remarkable talent and potential.

They began their training on simulators and quickly transitioned to real car driving. Thanks to their rapid technical progress, paternal support became a powerful backing, providing them with 800-horsepower beasts—a Nissan S15 and S13—each equipped with a 2JZ engine and a professional sequential gearbox.

Their appearance represents not only a personal journey of pursuing dreams but also a symbol of the rising new generation in China’s drifting scene, heralding a future full of limitless possibilities for the sport.

Women of Valor Shine on the Track

Drifting is not an exclusively male domain. In this year’s event, several female drivers showcased exceptional skill, proving that talent knows no gender. Gao Xuan (1087X DRIFT TEAM), Li Jiatian (Marvi Racing/Boss Panda Motorsports), Tang Yina (Hunan D2D Drift Team), and others left impressive marks on the track. Their performances added a vibrant and indispensable dimension to the competition, highlighting the diversity and inclusiveness of the drifting sport.

Off-Track Excitement Heats Up

The off-track activities were just as thrilling, amplifying the event’s overall energy. All three driver fan meet-and-greet sessions were packed to capacity, allowing fans to get up close and personal with their idols, creating an electric and passionate atmosphere.

Particularly eye-catching was the KOL ride-along activity. Dozens of well-known influencers from various fields—such as Strawberry King, Doyu A-Meng, and A-Mao Talks Carbon Fiber—experienced the ultimate drifting thrill firsthand with star drivers on the track. The event even featured the breathtaking spectacle of “three cars drifting simultaneously,” thrilling everyone on site.

High Standards in Judging, Professional Operations

The Dongguan track, renowned for its high difficulty and top-tier specifications, is considered a “double-high” venue. To ensure fairness and authority, the event invited drifting authorities—Kamimoto Hisashi and Haruyama Takashi—to officiate in person, providing the most professional adjudication for this top-level competition.

In addition, the overall event operations demonstrated a high level of professionalism: the P-Paddock area was managed in an orderly manner, track scheduling was smooth and efficient, and logistical support was solid and reliable. Every detail reflected the organizers’ expertise and maturity.

An Ending that Marks a New Beginning

The Dongguan finale of the 2025 D1 Drift Grand Prix carries significance far beyond trophies. It symbolizes the dreams ignited for a new era, the hearts united, and the benchmarks set. At this moment, we are witnessing not just the conclusion of a competition, but the beginning of a new journey—China’s drifting scene, with its maturity and open spirit, is transforming the roar of the present into an engine propelling it at full speed toward the world stage.

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