Meet James Deane and Luke Fink – Red Bull World Drifting Championship Drivers

2 of the youngest drivers entering the Red Bull World Drifting Championships will be coming from opposite ends of the world. Luke Fink earned his invitation by taking 2nd in the Drift Australia series, while James Deane won the Pro Drift European series against some stiff competition. We interviewed both drivers, check past the jump for the full scoop.

Name: James Deane
Nickname: ‘Do I have one ?’
Age: 16
Hometown: Castletownroche, Co.Cork, Ireland
Hobbies: Drifting and socializing
Job / Profession: Mechanic, Main Nissan Dealer, Fermoy
Website: http://www.bebo.com/_DRIFTR_ and www.tdp.ie

Car: Nissan Silvia S14a
Engine: TDP RB26DET
Tires: Nexen
Sponsors: Nexen Tires, Trackday Performance, Deane MSport, MoM Transport and Driftkits.eu

2008 accomplishments: Irish and European Prodrift Series Champion

What are you looking forward to at the World Championships?: ‘It’ll be a new adventure, driving against the best in the world will be a great experience for me. I’d love to go up against Tanner Foust, I think he’s a savage driver.’

James Deane won both legs of the ProDrift series, defeating more than 100 entrants in the Irish National series and taking on the rest of Europe to win the European series. Former winners of the ProDrift Irish series include the famed Darren McNamara and Eric O’Sullivan, both of which will also be attending the Red Bull event. James is as well-decorated as any Irish national athlete despite being just 16 years old!

Name: Luke Fink
Nickname: Fink
Age: 25
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Place of Birth: Adelaide, AustraliaHobbies: BMX
Job / Profession: labourer
Website: myspace.com/lukefink

Car: Nissan S14
Engine: sr2.2 tomie stroker
Tires: toyo
Sponsors: holford motors and serching for more asap

2008 accomplishments: 2nd in the drift australia series

What are you looking forward to at the World Championships?: Really looking foward to driving against the worlds best and also looking foward to driving on a new circuit.

Luke made a name for himself in another sport before jumping over to drifting. Fink spent the early part of the century traveling the world to compete in BMX, including several trips to the US to compete in the X Games. When injuries began to slow Luke down on the BMX bike, he jumped behind the wheel of a drift car and has been getting sideways ever since. Luke carries the same all-out attitude to drifting, pushing to be on the door of his competitor on every run. We’re excited to see what Luke has in store!