“We are headed up to Connecticut this week for Round 2 of Formula Drift. We are seeded already (based on season standings) for Top 32 so our first battle will be in the Top 32 bracket on Friday…�

Hooman currently sits 26^th out of 40 drivers in the PROSPEC category.

Images: Jerry Hughes & Justin Oxphoto

“Going into my very first drift competition, I was super nervous, and I could feel the adrenaline pumping as soon as I woke up that morning. We started off with the drivers’ briefing and track walk, and shortly after, it was time for me to get suited up, warm the car up, and get ready to go.

“As I sat on the line waiting to head out on track for my first practice laps in front of 13,000 people, I really didn’t know what to expect.

“Straight after that first lap, the nerves settled and the game head was well and truly screwed on, ready to push as hard as I could. Even then, I still had no expectations – I just wanted to drive my best and see how I got on.”

“After practice, we noticed a slight leak coming from the diff, but my amazing team and I instantly got to work and resolved the issue. By this point, it was time for my one-lap super qualifying run. I put everything I had on the line and gave it my all, and shortly after, I found out that it had paid off – I qualified P1.

“With all the mixed emotions going through me and knowing I was about to head into my first battle, all I could focus on was remaining calm and reminding myself to drive the way I had been all day.

“After pushing myself and the car to the limit in my battle against such an amazing driver, Warren Lee, I genuinely didn’t know what the result was going to be, as we both put on an incredible battle and real masterclass for the fans.

“This resulted in a ‘One More Time’, which I honestly didn’t expect at all. Once again, I did everything I could and drove the best I could, and we managed to take home the win. Wow – what a feeling that was. I’ve never felt anything like it.”

“For me, the win was an incredible result, and I was extremely proud of myself and my team. But most importantly, this weekend proved something to me – I belong here.

“None of this would have been possible without the support behind me. Every sticker on the car represents people and businesses who believed in me before there were results, before there was experience, and before there was proof. Your support gave me the opportunity to stand on that grid and fight for something bigger than myself. And this is only the beginning.

“Now I understand what it truly takes to compete at this level. I know where I need to improve, I know how hard I’m willing to push, and I’m leaving this weekend more motivated, focused, and hungry than ever before.”

“Thank you for backing me, believing in the vision, and being part of this journey from day one. We’re building something real, and I’m going to keep pushing until we make serious noise in this sport.

“This first competition lit a fire in me that isn’t going out. Let’s keep moving forward…�

“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…�

“We went into our first battle in Top 32 and got a rematch from Round 2 with Allen Boss and took home the win. We ended up getting hit pretty hard while in the lead and destroyed another door on the car. (that is two doors this year and counting). We hammered the door the best we could and got the car aligned again and then went into our Top 16 battle.

“We had a great battle with Cole Richards but unfortunately, he just had the slightly better run. I left the battle proud we laid down a great run and put up a good fight and know I gave it my best. Now we work on improving my best and making the best from the car even better.”

“We left the event in 11th place, and are sitting in 12th in points out of 38 drivers. We have one more round to step up and put some bigger points on the board. We are heading to Utah next week and made a few changes to the car to get better chases. We are excited to try it out verse the field at a really fast track.

“We had a few events these past few weeks from Import Alliance in Nashville to National Corvette Museum in Bowling green where we were able to do some testing while also putting on a show for the fans.

“Our next few weeks will be even busier as we go across country to Utah for the final round of Formula Drift, then LS Fest back in Bowling Green, and then Slush Motorsports in Nashville all back to back. It should be fun, but hectic!�