History will be made at Ahvenisto in July – International drifting mega-event coming to Hämeenlinna, Finland
Hämeenlinna – a historic Finnish city located just one hour from Helsinki and the international airport – together with the iconic Ahvenisto Race Circuit, will host the Finnish round of the International Drift Mastersseries. From 10–12 July, the event is expected to draw more than 10,000 visitors to Ahvenisto.
Drifting—the most spectacular discipline in motorsport—has seen tremendous growth across Europe in the past four years. In Japan and the United States the sport has already enjoyed major popularity for years, and thanks to Red Bull’s extensive marketing efforts and the series’ own YouTube channel with millions of followers, the same excitement has now firmly taken hold in Finland as well.
The previous three Finnish rounds of the series were held in Alahärmä.
A family-friendly event
The Drift Masters promoters’ decision to include Ahvenisto in the international calendar was welcomed with great enthusiasm. This will be the biggest motorsport event at the circuit in decades.
“Fantastic news! Next summer we will make history at Ahvenisto race circuit together. After the Masters’ Race in the 1980s and the European Rallycross events, Drift Masters will be the most significant and absolutely the largest event at the circuit. Our sincere thanks also go to the City of Hämeenlinna for the excellent cooperation,” says Ahvenisto race circuit entrepreneurs Sami and Miika Liljedahl .
They began initial discussions about the event already in 2024.
“Things became concrete in July, when the series promoters visited Ahvenisto. Now that the competition is officially on the calendar, we’re committed to creating a spectacular, accessible, family-friendly mega-event. We’re building high-quality services for visitors,” promises circuit host Sami Liljedahl.
Last July, series promoters Adam Krawczak and Arkadiusz Dudko visited Ahvenisto and were thoroughly impressed with what they saw. The organisers and the Ahvenisto Race Circuit have worked closely together in planning the upcoming event.
“Ahvenisto is practically made for drifting. The natural grandstand can accommodate tens of thousands of spectators, and it provides a view over the entire circuit. The track itself is exceptionally demanding and visually impressive due to its elevation changes. Nothing like this has ever been experienced in the series’ history. The location and accessibility also convinced us,” the promoters emphasised.
A race track designed in a video game
At next summer’s Drift Masters event, the finish line will be on Ahvenisto’s main straight, which drivers reach via a right-hand crest that briefly unweights the car. An additional seated grandstand will also be built on the paddock hill.
“The promoters were amazed by Ahvenisto’s drifting layout. They had never seen such a fast circuit with this level of elevation change, and the crest before the final corner even sends the car slightly airborne,” notes Liljedahl.
Ahvenisto’s fast drifting layout and racing line were designed by Finnish drifting pioneer and Drift Masters professional Juha Rintasen He created the layout and its added section using a topographic survey map, and refined the entire configuration using the Asetto Corsavideo game. Rintanen, who won last July’s Pro class Finnish Championshipround at Ahvenisto, confirms that the quick and flowing track feels exactly the same in the car as it does in the game.
What is Drift Masters?
Drifting is the fastest-growing discipline in motorsport, and Drift Masters is the sport’s largest international series. Founded in 2014, it grew from a modest three-round championship into Europe’s—and the world’s—most prestigious drifting series from 2016 onward. Drift Masters quickly exceeded all expectations.
According to the promoters, creativity is key when selecting venues. Each season introduces new and exciting locations—such as Hämeenlinna and the Ahvenisto Race Circuit for the upcoming season.
The series crowns the European Champion, but its reach and fan base extend worldwide. In addition to European competitors, drivers from the United States, South America, the Middle East, and Asia also take part.
Drift Masters champion in the 2024 season, was Finland’s Lauri Heinonen.
More information Ahvenisto Race Circuit
Sami Liljedahl: 045 261 8420
Miika Liljedahl: 044 733 2242
