The Drift Masters, it’s a bit like the ultimate thrill of modern motorsport. Imagine yourself on the edge of a circuit, where the roar of the engines mingles with the burning smell of rubber: this is where drifting takes on its full dimension. This sport, born in the night-time streets of Japan, has risen to the rank of a global phenomenon, competing with giants like football in some corners of the globe.
In Europe, the Drift Masters have become the must-attend event for drift enthusiasts. It’s not just a race, it’s a spectacle where each driver must demonstrate exceptional skill, flirting with the limits of their machine to execute perfect turns.
The absence of vehicle classes pushes drivers to excel, regardless of the power or brand of their car. Each duel on the track therefore becomes a test of dexterity, courage… and lots of smoke!
3 days of breakers and pop & bang
The 2024 edition of the Drift Masters in Valencia started with a bang, electrifying the atmosphere of the famous Ricardo Tormo circuit, usually the stage for MotoGP. For the first time, this iconic site pulsed to the rhythm of controlled skidding and rapid accelerations, transforming the place into a veritable amphitheatre of drifting for a weekend.
Invited by G2A, one of the major sponsors of the event (as well as some drivers), we were able to closely follow the qualifications and the races.
The competition gathered an impressive crowd, with over 30,000 spectators coming from various backgrounds to witness this high-flying spectacle. The atmosphere was palpable, with enthusiastic fans who cheered on the drivers from twenty different countries, each pushing their vehicle to the limit to deliver their best.
The competition was marked by exceptional performances, particularly that of Piotr Wiecek who dominated the podium. The quality of the event, the enthusiasm of the public and the spectacular setting promise a Drift Masters season that is shaping up to be one of the most memorable for the 10th anniversary of the competition. This enthusiasm for drifting in Europe continues to grow, attracting more and more spectators and participants, ready to experience moments of pure adrenaline.
G2A and the DriftMasters
After immersing ourselves in the electric atmosphere of the Drift Masters in Valencia, it’s time to discover one of the main supports of this spectacular event. G2A, the global leader in the digital entertainment market, plays a key role by sponsoring this exciting series.
To understand the impact of their commitment and the synergy between drift and digital innovations, we spoke with a key member of the G2A team. Here is what they had to share about their mission, their vision of partnership with Drift Masters, and how they envision the future of this exciting collaboration.
Q: To start with, could you briefly introduce us to G2A?
G2A Manager: G2A is the largest global marketplace dedicated to digital entertainment. We connect over 30 million consumers to a varied offering of over 100 million digital products. Our platform is active in 180 countries, positioning us as a global player in the sector. The main markets we focus on include Spain, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom, but our reach is truly international.
Q: What is the mission of G2A?
G2A Manager: G2A’s mission is to simplify access to digital entertainment worldwide. We want our platform to be the first place people think of for their digital needs, whether it’s games, software, gift cards, or subscriptions. We aim to provide this experience in a shopping environment that is not only convenient but also secure and reliable.
Q: Why did you choose to sponsor the Drift Masters?
G2A Manager: Sponsoring the Drift Masters aligns with our desire to reach a broader audience and diversify our visibility beyond video games. It’s a series that combines dynamism and family commitment, thus providing a perfect platform to reach new consumer segments while strengthening our brand in large-scale events.
Q: What specific efforts are you making to strengthen your presence in key markets like Spain?
G2A Manager: In Spain, where we launched the current season of Drift Masters, we are increasing our marketing activities and actively participating in local events to better engage our audience. This approach is replicated in other key markets, using targeted strategies to maximize our impact and relevance in each market.
Q: What are the future prospects for G2A? How do you envision the expansion of your company?
G2A Head: We aim to extend our influence well beyond our current markets, exploring new regions such as Asia and the Middle East. We are also committed to constantly innovating in how we deliver our services, integrating cutting-edge technologies and expanding our product range to more broadly cover digital entertainment needs.
Q: How does G2A ensure the security of transactions on its platform?
G2A Manager: We have developed advanced security protocols to ensure that each transaction on our platform is secure. Our fraud rate is significantly lower than the industry average, at only 2.9%. Our efforts in this area have earned us significant distinctions, including the C&P Awards in the United States, a recognition also given to companies like Microsoft.
Q: In conclusion, what impact does sponsoring the Drift Masters have on G2A?
G2A Manager: The partnership with Drift Masters has been extremely beneficial for G2A, allowing us to strengthen our brand through a dynamic sports platform that attracts entire families. This reflects our commitment to provide not only digital entertainment but also to support real and exciting experiences, thus contributing to our mission of democratizing access to digital entertainment around the world.
A competition where France shone
Let’s turn our attention to one of the most exciting competitors on the track. Jason Bannet, the only French driver in the running, brilliantly managed to qualify for the next rounds of competitions this weekend in Valencia.
Met on the evening of the first day of qualifications, where he secured his place for the next day’s competition, Jason shares his thoughts on the event, his passion for drifting, and his ambitions for this season
Q: Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
Jason Bannet: Hi, my name is Jason Bannet, I’ve been a drift driver for ten years, and I’m 26 years old now.
Q: How did you get started in drifting?
Jason Bannet: I started driving at a very young age, as early as 16. Before that, I was heavily into motocross, but I ended up breaking quite a few bones, so I stopped. In a car, I feel less vulnerable and more confident.
Q: Tell us about your recent successes.
Jason Bannet: Last year, I was the French drift champion. And this year, I won the first race in Spain. Now, for the Drift Masters, I qualified 22nd, which is really good considering the level here.
Q: Have you ever participated in the Drift Masters before?
Jason Bannet: No, I was there last year too, but the car was not up to scratch. I bought it at the beginning of the season but the engine was dead, the front and rear axles were not working, neither were the shock absorbers. So, throughout the season, we changed everything.
Q: What are the stakes for you here, at Drift Masters?
Jason Bannet: The challenge is to see if we are up to the mark, especially us in France. It’s about training all winter and basically seeing if the French are bad or not. It’s mean to say, but it’s to see if we can try to accomplish something or if there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Q: Do you think that drifting is sufficiently recognized in France?
Jason Bannet: Not really, I think that it’s not talked about enough. The problem is that here, we can’t rent a circuit whenever we want to practice, especially for drifting. They never want to.
Q: Apart from drift, are you also into video games?
Jason Bannet: Yes, my workshop manager has Assetto Corsa. So I’m experimenting with that. I have another colleague who had a full Simracing setup, really big, with lots of moving jacks. That was more realistic and I was doing better with it. With my boss’s one, I don’t get the feel of the car, so for example, I set off the 200 and I think I’m going to go off, but I don’t see it coming.
Q: Does this help you with training?
Jason Bannet: I tried the Maxence’s sim for this circuit. If we based ourselves solely on the sim, we would never come here. But it still allows us to get a bit of an idea of what the track is like. It’s better than starting from scratch.
Q: What are your ambitions for tomorrow?
Jason Bannet: To go as far as possible. Staying reasonable, just making it to the top 16, would already be quite good. No Frenchman who has come to Drift Masters has made it to the top 16. So, that would already be a great performance.
Q: Are the conditions favorable for tomorrow?
Jason Bannet: Yes, the weather is nice, but the cars like it less because it’s hot. They heat up a lot. But that’s what they’re made for. We saw some engines break this morning. Drifting is short but very intense. The engine receives a lot. On a track, you’re going full throttle almost all the time.
Jason Bannet managed to thrill the audience at the Drift Masters in Valencia by brilliantly rising to the Top 8. It’s a great feat for Jason, who surpassed his goal of being among the top sixteen, thus proving that he is a driver to be reckoned with. Hats off to him for this spectacular rise, which not only showcases his talent, but also his determination to excel in the European drift arena, a great sign for this 2024 season.
Fun, fun, and fun
We leave Valencia with a lot of memories, and especially very beautiful images of an exceptional event that we hope to see arrive in France one day. This is only the beginning of the 2024 Drift Masters season, and the show already promises to increase in intensity. The next stage will take us to Sweden’s Drivecenter Arena, on June 9 and 10, where the drivers will continue to push their limits.
Jason Bannet, with his impressive entrance into the Top 8 in Valencia, is more motivated than ever. He is determined to capitalize on his recent success and continue his momentum. His fans, and all of us, will be eager to see how he measures up against the best in the upcoming stages.
As for G2A, their partnership with Drift Masters continues to prove its effectiveness. By sponsoring such a dynamic event, G2A does not fail to reinforce its presence in the world of motorsport, while supporting a platform that values audacity and innovation.