Corkman drifts his way to world title

A Cork world motorsport champion who won a historic fourth title over the weekend has partnered with the official tourism brand for Cork city and county.

Corkman James Deane has been promoting his home county of Cork, and Pure Cork, following his historic victory at the 2024 Pro Formula Drift LA Finale last weekend.

James, who hails from Castletownroche, has solidified his legacy in motorsports by securing his fourth Formula Drift World Pro Championship title.

Known for his precision and dominance on the track, Deane’s victory at the final round of the 2024 season at Irwindale Speedway, Los Angeles last Saturday marked an unprecedented achievement in the sport of drifting.

“Such a huge dream of mine coming true to win a Formula Drift Championship in my second season with RTR,” said James.

“So proud of what we all achieved as a team in winning my first championship in a Ford Mustang and fourth overall and fourth overall for Ford. I could not have done this without the incredible support of my team and partners.” he said.

“It’s amazing representing Cork, Pure Cork, and having so many people at home – my family, my friends, so many – supporting me. Perfect end to a dream season. I’m so so happy.”

Seamus Heaney, Head of Visit Cork, which manages the Pure Cork brand, commented on James' remarkable win.

“James Deane is a sensation in the world of motorsports, recognized as one of drifting’s most accomplished and dominant figures. His achievements are not only historic for the sport but are also putting Cork on the global map. His fourth title elevates Cork’s profile in an entirely new way.”

He added: “Cork is becoming the nucleus of motorsports, with many talented drivers emerging from the county. James’ connection with Ford as one of their pro drivers is another fantastic link to Cork. We are immensely proud of his accomplishments and grateful that he is using his platform to promote his home county to an international audience.”

As part of his partnership with Pure Cork, James Deane proudly displayed the Pure Cork logo on his Ford Mustang RTR. The partnership provided invaluable exposure, with millions of motorsports fans worldwide seeing the Pure Cork brand during the official race broadcasts. Deane also shared a selection of curated gifts from Cork with his team, highlighting his heritage on social media.

Pure Cork’s collaboration with James Deane is part of Visit Cork’s ongoing mission to elevate Cork’s profile on the global stage, positioning it as a premier destination for tourism, culture, and business.

For more information on Pure Cork, visit www.purecork.ie.