Spike Island to host Red Bull Drift Pursuit this summer

Cork's iconic Spike Island will play host to one of the biggest days in the Irish motorsport calendar this year when Red Bull Drift Pursuit takes over the former military base on Saturday July 5th.
With prison walls as their backdrop, 16 of the country's top drifters will go head-to-head in a fierce 1 v 1 knockout format which promises to exhilarate seasoned drift fans and newcomers alike.
This is no ordinary drift event - it will test the accuracy, control and speed of each and every driver on the track, pushing them to their absolute max. Drivers are judged on two key criteria; course time and clipping points, with penalties for any infringements.
Emerging talent from the Irish drift scene will be rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in motorsport in Red Bull athletes Conor Shanahan and Josh McErlean.
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DRFIT KING: Red Bull drifter Conor Shanahan will once again compete in Drift Pursuit
Credit: RED BULL
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ICONIC SETTING: Red Bull Drift Pursuit will take place on Cork's Spike Island
Credit: RED BULL
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WRC STAR: M-Sport Ford World Rally Championship driver Josh McErlean will be bringing his Puma Rally1 car to Cork
Credit: RED BULL
Both drivers will perform on the day, alongside Conor's brother Jack, delivering explosive demos that blend the rally power of Josh's M-Sport World Rally Ford Puma with the drifting precision of Conor's Toyota GT86 in a one-of-a-kind, gearbox-shredding display.
The event kicks off at 6.45pm, finishing at 8.30pm. Tickets are on sale now on the Red Bull website, priced at €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.
On the announcement, Cork drifter and Red Bull athlete Conor Shanahan said:
'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.'
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ISLAND BOYS: Cork natives Jack and Conor Shanahan will both be competing and taking part in a Q&A session before the events blasts off at 6:45pm
Credit: RED BULL
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IN A SPIN: Action from Red Bull Drift Pursuit in Limerick last May
Credit: RED BULL
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RAGING BULLS: Conor Shanahan competing at fthe Drift Masters European Championship
Credit: RED BULL
Before the action kicks off, spectators can avail of Spike Island tours to learn more about the island's rich history as a naval base and more recently as a prison.
Drift Masters Conor and Jack Shanahan will be doing a Q&A alongside WRC star Josh McErlean, while the drivers' paddock will also be open to spectators keen to get a closer look at the action.
There are four Cork drivers among those set to compete at Red Bull Drift Pursuit, with Aidan Dennehy, Owen Magner, Trevor Healy and Alan Hynes, the 2024 Red Bull Drift Pursuit champion, all sure to benefit from a vocal local support.
Most read in Motors
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2024 DRIFT PURSUIT CHAMP: Alan Hynes seen at the Red Bull Drift Pursuit in Limerick
Credit: RED BULL
2025 grid competing in Red Bull Drift Pursuit
DRIVERS LINE-UP
Stephen Halferty (Derry)
Aidan Dennehy (Cork)
Alex Butler (Louth)
Owen Magner (Cork)
Colin O'Sullivan (Kerry)
Trevor Healy (Cork)
Jack Caldwell (Tyrone)
Alan Hynes (Cork) *2024 RBDP Champ
Davan Leahy (Waterford)
Jake Davey (Galway)
Sean Carson (Tyrone)
Jakub Krzyszczak (Waterford)
Harry Kerr (Antrim)
Tom Hayden (Kildare)
Erikas Navickas (Kildare)
Alan O'Loghlen (Galway)
Peter Molloy (Down)
Craig Searles (Limerick)
An unforgettable evening of speed and skill in the historic surroundings of Spike Island awaits. To keep up to date with all things Red Bull Drift Pursuit, follow @redbullire on Instagram and TikTok or visit
:
What is Red Bull Drift Pursuit?
Red Bull Drift Pursuit is a unique 1v1 drift battle competition, which will take place this year on Spike Island, Co. Cork. This is the competition's second year, having made its debut at Limerick Greyhound Stadium in 2024.
Getting to Spike Island
The only way to get to Spike Island for the event is by ferry. The ferry transfer to Spike Island is included in your ticket. Ferries will depart from Cobh and Ringaskiddy piers. Departure/Return time and location are selected at point of purchase. No other means of travel to Spike Island for the event will be permitted.
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ACTION PACKED: Competitors seen at the Red Bull Drift Pursuit in Limerick
Credit: RED BULL
TICKET SALES:
Both standing and seated tickets are available and return ferry is included in the ticket price. Tickets are priced €55 (seated) and €45 (standing) including booking fees. Tickets are on sale now via:
Ferry information:
There are two options for your ferry transfer.
1: The
Ringaskiddy
ferry will depart from Paddy's Point,
2: The
Cobh
ferry will depart from Kennedy Pier,
There will be car parking options at both ferry departure points. Please arrive at the pier 10-15 minutes before your ferry/ticket booking. Passengers must be on time for their booked time slot/ferry departure. Due to limited capacity, no alternative ferry departure will be offered. Passengers cannot leave the island before their designated return ferry. No changes can be made to ferry departure points or times after purchase.
Children:
Red Bull Drift Pursuit is suitable for all age groups. Children of all ages will require a standard seating or standing ticket. Please note that this is an outdoor motorsports event with some walking between the ferry and event site, so please dress appropriately, expect loud noises and bring relevant ear protection, particularly for children.
Accesibility:
The event is wheelchair friendly.
Activity on Spike Island:
Guided tours of Spike Island are included with the ticket and are available throughout the day, or you can explore the prison without a guide. There will be food and drink outlets on site with picnic tables; picnic and picnic blankets are welcome and visitors can bring their own picnics or snacks to the island to eat.
Read more on the Irish Sun
Alcohol and glassware/glass bottles of any sort are not permitted to be brought to the event. There will be alcohol on sale in the Spike Island café. Drones are not permitted to be used at the event.
More information, including the event map and schedule of events can be found on the Red Bull website at:
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LE THE GAMES BEGIN: Red Bull Drift Pursuit will get underway on July 5
Credit: RED BULL

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