Riga Brings the Chaos as Scores Tie and Conor Clinches a Wild Showdown Final

Round 5 Qualifying here at Bikernieku Trase served up the most intense leaderboard we’ve seen all season, with the Top 4 drivers all locking in identical scores and the entire grid stepping up under the pressure of one of Drift Masters’ most iconic venues.

From razor-close judging margins to borrowed cars, clutch performances and a Showdown final packed with drama, Riga more than lived up to the hype.

It doesn’t get much tighter than this. After a stacked day of qualifying, Juha Rintanen, Conor Shanahan, Piotr Wiecek and James Deane all posted top scores of 95 points with combined scores having to come into play to break the ties.

Juha’s consistency gave him the edge to take P1, followed closely by Conor in second, Piotr in third, and James in fourth. With barely anything separating them, it was a clear sign that nobody’s backing down as the championship race enters its final stages.

As always, Riga proved unforgiving. Not just for drivers, but also for the machines beneath them. The combination of searing heat, relentless surface grip and high-speed pushed cars to the absolute edge. Across the day we saw multiple engine failures, mechanical issues and crash damage reshape the leaderboard and knock several names out of contention before they even had a chance to show their full hand. Simply keeping the car alive long enough to post a competitive run became a battle in itself.

After flying a little under the radar in recent rounds, Juha Rintanen reminded everyone exactly what he's capable of here in Riga. From practice runs to qualifying passes, the Finnish driver looked like he was on rails all weekend. Calm, composed and razor-sharp. His top spot in Qualifying wasn’t just well-earned, it was a statement. And with momentum finally on his side, Juha could be one to watch heading into the business end of the season.

Conor and James went absolutely all-in during the Showdown final, putting down two clinical runs that had the judges split right down the middle. With both drivers declining a One More Time, the win was awarded to higher qualifier Conor Shanahan, sealing another high-pressure victory and adding yet another chapter to the growing rivalry between the two Irish stars.

With the Top 32 locked in and the championship table shifting by the hour, we’re set for a massive fight here tomorrow. Battles Go Live at 1:45PM UTC+2 on Red Bull TV so make sure you tune in and don't miss a second of the action.