Nikolass Bertāns goes one better at home to clinch 2025 FIA IDC crown
Youth prevailed as Nikolass Bertāns beat Daniels Baumanis in an all-Latvian final to win the 2025 FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup in Riga – the biggest and most international edition of the event to date. Paweł Korpuliński secured third place, while Latvia also claimed the Nations Cup victory on home soil.
In a tightly contested final, 20-year-old Bertāns, who finished a close second to James Deane in 2021 when the FIA IDC last visited Latvia, produced a superb chase and lead run against 17-year-old Baumanis to secure his first-ever IDC crown at the wheel of his BMW based on a HGK Eurofighter chassis.
“It’s a good step up in life and another title in the bag so I am really happy that I ended the season on a good,” said Bertāns after the final. “Thank you to Daniels for an amazing final; I have been looking forward to driving with him all my career because he was just starting out when I was in Pro and now, we are in the final on the big stage."
After seeing off Egypt’s Karim Hany after a re-run in the first round of elimination tandems, Bertāns had to overcome a serious of tough battles on his journey towards the final, namely against Polish duo Jakub Przygoński and Pawel Korpuliński in the Top 8 and Top 4 bouts respectively.
A brilliant chase run against Przygoński in the Top 8 was the key to progressing to the final four, while an equally impressive lead run with Korpuliński in close company gave Bertāns his ticket to the final.
Similarly, Baumanis came through a nail-biting semi-final with El Salvador’s Nasser Alharbali Urias in his BMW E46. Contact between the two in the first run left Alharbali Urias needing to make repairs to his car while Baumanis was deemed responsible. After the second run resulted in a dead-heat, Baumanis eventually prevailed in the third battle, relegating Alharbali Urias to dispute third place with Korpuliński.
Both Alharbali Urias and Korpuliński were so evenly matched in their two runs, that the judges forced a deciding winner-takes-all tandem to determine the final step on the podium. Korpuliński just got the better of Alharbali Urias to win over the judges to grab third.
After topping qualifying on Friday afternoon, Alharbali Urias had earlier survived a scare in the opening Top 32 run of the day, against Greek driver Christos Chantzaras, hitting the long wall at the end of his chase run. Chantzaras was deemed to have decelerated too much, therefore backing into Alharbali Urias, paving the way for the latter to progress.
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Abdul-Karim Jahan nearly produced a big surprise in his Top 8 tandem battle with Korpuliński, before the Polish driver made it through after a more accurate second run.
Prior to exiting the competition in the semi-final stage, Przygoński had engaged in arguably the most exciting tandem of the day in the Top 32, facing off against Japanese driver Hokuto Matsuyama. Both drivers (at the wheel of their Toyota GR86 and Toyota A90 Supra respectively) delivered pin-point lead runs and aggressive chases but it was Przygoński who went through.
Elsewhere in the first round, there was yet more drama for Rubén Bolaños who, for the second day in a row, suffered technical problems during his first run. The Spanish driver took the regulatory five-minute repair window but his BMW E46 would go no further, handing Georgian driver Mevlud Meladze in a similar BMW E46 a free passage to the Top 16.
In the Top 16 tandems, Meladze was then in strife himself, this time against eventual runner-up Baumanis. The pair made slight contact, and both spun out. A mistake at the initiation from Meladze on the re-run allowed Baumanis to progress.
Ahmed Al Amri was a non-starter in his Nissan Silvia S15, while Hungarian competitor Tamás Magyar’s Mercedes 190 was ruled out after a heavy crash against the long wall in his battle with Lithuania’s Andrius Vasiliauskas.
FIA Intercontinental Drift Cup in Riga: Record Participation from 33 Countries at Biķernieki Circuit
The FIA Intercontinental Drift Cup (IDC) is making its long-awaited return this year, taking place from October 3–5 in Riga, Latvia. The event will be hosted at the Biķernieki circuit, the only permanent race track in Latvia. The competition will coincide with the grand finales of the Baltic and Latvian drifting seasons, providing an unforgettable experience for spectators. Full competition days for all championships will run from October 3–5.
For the first time since 2021, the FIA IDC will gather the world’s top drifting talents for a standalone event where the prestigious FIA title will be awarded. The 2025 FIA IDC will feature 45 drivers from 33 countries — likely the largest number of nations ever represented at Biķernieki. These 33 countries will compete not only for individual win, but 12 countries, including Baltic countries, will also contest the Nations Cup.
The FIA IDC introduces a unique competitive format aimed at strengthening and diversifying international representation and competition, as well as fostering global relationships. The Intercontinental Drift Cup was first launched in 2017 as the first FIA-sanctioned international drifting championship. Its goal was to bring structure and regulation to the sport at the international level, quickly gaining popularity and attracting top-tier drivers from national and regional championships. The first three championships were held in the birthplace of drifting — Japan — initially on a temporary track in Tokyo’s Odaiba district, and in 2019 at the famous Tsukuba circuit.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem commented: “The return of the FIA Intercontinental Drift Cup highlights the continuous global growth of motorsport and the strength of our community. Drifting is increasingly popular and appealing, and its expansion into regions with growing motorsport interest demonstrates FIA’s commitment to doubling global participation.”
A wide range of federation representatives, media, teams, and, of course, drivers will arrive in Latvia. Among the 45 drivers from 33 countries are well-known Baltic representatives — Čirba, Vasiliauskas, Kroģeris, Bertāns, Randalu, and Strelkovs — as well as other prominent names from Europe. Poland will send a particularly strong lineup, including Przygonskis and Korpulinski.
The competition boasts truly global participation — all drivers are experienced, multiple championship participants and podium finishers. For the first time in FIA drifting history, the Middle East will also be represented, with drivers arriving from the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Oman, and Egypt. Many are shipping their cars by plane, and some have already arrived at Biķernieki.
Special excitement comes from the participation of a Japanese driver — Japan being the birthplace of drifting — accompanied by a large Japanese delegation. It should be noted that the head of the FIA Drift Commission is also from Japan.
For sure one of driver which is highlighted is Joao Barion from Brazil, who gained international recognition through the Netflix show Hyperdrive. His car is already in Baltic countries, and he will not be the only Brazilian driver, meaning Brazil will also compete in the Nations Cup.
Altogether, 33 countries will be represented: Brazil, El Salvador, Japan, Austria, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan.
Each participant brings their own story, experience, and achievements. In total, 45 charismatic and talented drivers will compete at Biķernieki, offering spectators a unique opportunity to witness world-class drifting live in Riga, Latvia already after 2 weeks.
Tickets are available at very accessible prices — a 3-day pass, covering both the FIA IDC and Baltic finals, costs just €50.
For more information about the event, the full driver list, ticket details, and schedule, visit the official website: www.fiaidcdrift.com
2025 FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup opens for competitor applications
The FIA has announced that competitor applications for the 2025 FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup will open on 16 June and close on 1 September, as the world’s premier drifting competition prepares for a re-launch this October with a return to Riga, Latvia
Drivers wishing to compete must hold an international circuit licence (ITD1, ITC-D, or above) and enter cars that comply with FIA DC1 technical regulations.
The 2025 FIA IDC will feature a refreshed sporting format designed to enhance international diversity and competition.
While entries are open to all eligible competitors, a priority nomination phase will give FIA Member Clubs the opportunity to select one driver, supporting broader global representation and diversity among entrants. Nominations can be submitted by National Sporting Authorities until 15 June at [email protected].
In addition to the Drivers’ title, a Nations Cup title will also be awarded, provided at least five different countries are represented, with a minimum of two cars per country. A maximum of 45 competitors will be accepted. The entry form will be available here.
The sporting regulations are published on both the FIA and the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup websites.
The 2025 FIA IDC is being organised in partnership between the FIA and the Latvian Automobile Federation and is set to be held from 3-5 October at Biķernieki, the country’s only permanent racing circuit, which previously hosted FIA IDC as well as the Latvian round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup Returns to Riga for 2025 Season
The 2025 edition of the FIA IDC will be organised in partnership with the Latvian Automobile Federation (LAF), the FIA’s Member Club in Latvia.
LAF played a crucial role in securing the return of the competition, demonstrating strong enthusiasm and commitment to hosting the event in association with Drift Latvia.
This year’s FIA IDC will introduce a unique sporting format aimed at strengthening and diversifying international representation and competition.
Commenting on the return of the event, FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “The return of the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup underscores the continued global expansion of motor sport and the strength of our sporting community.”
“Drifting is growing in both momentum and popularity, and its expansion into regions with emerging motor sport scenes is a testament to the FIA’s dedication to doubling global participation,” he said.
FIA drifting commission chair person, Koichi Murata, said: “Drifting is one of the most accessible and fastest-growing forms of motor sport today, so the return of the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup is fantastic news for the entire community.”
“The success of drifting at the FIA Motorsport Games has demonstrated a strong appetite for international FIA-sanctioned drifting competitions.
“I am hopeful that we will see multiple National Sporting Authorities supporting their competitors, leading to an entry which is both strong and geographically diverse,” Murata stated.
This marks the first time since 2021 that the event will bring together top-tier drifting talent from around the world in a standalone competition awarding an FIA title.
The last edition was also held in the Latvian capital, making Riga a familiar and fitting host for this prestigious event.
The entries will be open for all competitors willing to participate; however, a primary entry phase will grant priority to FIA Member Clubs to enter one selected competitor.
This approach ensures a diverse and competitive line-up of drivers, with multiple countries represented.
The return of the FIA IDC marks the second significant drifting-related announcement of 2025, following the FIA World Motor Sport Council’s approval of new DC2 and DC3 specifications for drifting cars, creating a clear pathway from grassroots to elite-level competitions.
