Professional drifter blown away by Ford gifting him his first brand new street car
Published on Jun 06, 2025 at 1:00 AM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Jun 05, 2025 at 2:09 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Fenton
James Deane is a professional drifter for the Ford brand.
The County Cork native is revered in the professional drifter world.
Deane recently won the 2024 Formula Drift Championship.
And Ford rewarded him with his first-ever custom road car.
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James Deane is a massively respected name in the car world.
Born in Castletownroche, County Cork, Ireland, Deane got his drifter start early.
2006 saw the 15-year-old Deane get his start in the world of drifter competition.
In the years since, ‘The Machine”Deane has gone from a promising prospect to a legend.
After winning several Irish and European drifter series titles, Deane decided to go big.
He would commit to the Formula Drift Championship for a full campaign in 2017.
The United States-based competition pits 84 of the world’s best drifter drivers against each other.
And it was a major success for the County Cork man.
Deane, competing for the Worthouse drift team, would win the 2017 Championship.
His Toyota 2JZ-powered Nissan Silvia S15 powered him to his maiden title.
Deane ran it back in 2018, successfully defending his Formula Drift Championship.
Ireland’s own would become only the second-ever drifter to successfully defend his title.
2019 saw James Deane make history in winning his third consecutive Formula Drift title.
It made Deane only the third-ever driver to win three championships.
Deane, however, is the only driver to ever win his Formula Drift Championships consecutively.
This has led many within the drifter world to crown him the greatest to ever do it.
Last year would see Deane return to the championship – this time, with the RTR team.
And the Ford Mustang would power Dean to his fourth Formula Drift Championship.
Ford decided to recognise Deane’s achievement for the team – by gifting him his own car.
Deane found himself gifted a Ford Mustang RTR Spec 2 in recognition of his achievements.
The Blue Oval marque offered the Irish driver the choice of any spec he wanted.
And the County Cork drifter opted for the striking Grabber Blue edition.
The striking Mustang RTR Spec 2 is an especially important gift for Deane.
Because it is his first-ever streetcar that he has actually owned for himself.
This Ford Mustang RTR gains a hood vent, duckbill spoiler, badging, a rocker splitter and rear quarter splitters.
An upgraded suspension system includes adjustable shocks and struts, lowering springs, and adjustable front/rear sway bars.
This is certainly a very special gift – but it is for an extraordinary drifter driver.
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Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
