The 2025 Red Bull Drift Pursuit is set to take place on Spike Island in July

Red Bull athletes, Killavullen's Conor Shanahan and World Rally Championship driver Derry's Josh McErlean will showcase their talents with demonstration drives that are part of an exciting evening of motorsport at the iconic Spike Island on Saturday, July 5th next.

The event, set to be one of the biggest days in this year's Irish motorsport calendar, will see the former military base and prison taken over for the 2025 Red Bull Drift Pursuit.

With the prison walls as their backdrop, sixteen of Ireland's top drifters will go head-to-head in knockout fashion that starts with the last sixteen before working through to the grand final. 

The contestants will be judged on two key criteria - course time and clipping points, with penalties for any infringements.

The presence of Shanahan, who will also be accompanied by his brother Jack for the "demo drives" is set to attract a capacity attendance at the venue. 

Seven years ago Conor became the youngest driver ever to win British, Irish and European professional drifting events. 

He beat fellow north Cork driver James Deane at the Polish round of the championship. Piloting his Toyota GT86 he is looking forward to the July spectacular. 

“As a proud Corkman, it is incredible to see a drift event like this take place at such an iconic location like Spike Island. 

"Some of the best drifters in Ireland will be competing and I know Jack and I are looking forward to putting on a show.” 

The presence of fellow Red Bull athlete McErlean in his M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 will be equally breathtaking. 

He is in his maiden season at the pinnacle of world rallying where is co-driven by Killeagh's Eoin Treacy.

The Red Bull Drift Pursuit includes no fewer than four Cork drivers with reigning champion Alan Hynes, Aidan Dennehy, Owen Magner and Trevor Healy all set to be inspired by the strong local support. 

Indeed, Healy will begin his quest for the RDDP title with a Cork versus Kerry clash as he is drawn against the Kingdom's Colin O'Sullivan.

Prior to the action, spectators can avail of Spike Island tours to learn more about the island’s rich history; a Q&A session with Conor and Jack Shanahan and WRC star Josh McErlean while spectators can visit the drivers’ paddock to get a closer look at cars and stars.

The event will begin at 6.45pm and finish at 8.30pm. 

Tickets are on now on sale on the Red Bull website (€45 for a standing ticket and €55 for a seated ticket). 

Ferry transfers from Ringaskiddy or Cobh are included in the ticket, with ferries running throughout the day.