THE RISE OF U.S. DRIFT CIRCUIT - FLORIDA’S PRO-AM POWERHOUSE

Photo courtesy of DRIFTEM Correspondent Owen Garrett.

Turning Community Drifting Champions Into Professionals.

In the adrenaline-fueled world of drifting, where precision meets passion on smoke-filled tracks, each of the regional PRO-AM series serve as vital breeding grounds for tomorrow's stars. Much like the family-driven grassroots scenes highlighted in stories about tracks such as Alabama's Driven Luck Circuit - where a sense of home and community propels the sport forward - Florida's U.S. Drift Circuit (USDC) has carved out its own corner; transforming from humble beginnings into a competitive force that's churning out Formula DRIFT (FD) ready talent.

This season, USDC crowned driver Christian Cotrone (@christiancotrone) as it’s champion; a well-deserved and earned title that also comes with a full send into FD’s PROSPEC series. 

Photo courtesy of DRIFTEM Correspondent Owen Garrett.

Origins: Filling The Void For Florida Drifting.

USDC President, Chris Jackson (@wfchrisjackson), is the driving force behind the operation, although he didn't set out to build a competitive drifting series from scratch. His journey began as a participant in various PRO-AM events, but when Countyline Dragway's drifting gatherings faced discontinuation, he stepped up.

"When Countyline Dragway closed, it left a significant gap in Florida’s drifting community," Jackson recalled.

To keep the momentum alive, he personally funded the final event there and teamed up with collaborators like Rich DeBardinis, Tim Murphy, and Harrison Carter. Their inaugural bash at Coconut Creek Casino drew impressive crowds, paving the way for bigger venues like Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.

Jackson's entry into drifting itself echoes the grassroots passion seen across North America. "I got into drifting, but a whole bunch of friends got into it a little bit before me," he shared, recalling he started around 2009, after a stint in drag racing. Then, after welding diffs and swapping engines, he hooked a Silvia frontend onto his ride and never looked back. "The first second I tried it, I was hooked, and just never wanted to stop," he confirmed.

This personal evolution mirrored the series' own. After years of requests for a proper PRO-AM series in Florida, Jackson and his team liaised with Formula DRIFT to make USDC official. Now heading into its fifth season, the series is a highly competitive platform that's expanding rapidly and nurturing drivers toward professional licenses; much like other PRO-AM circuits have been doing in regions like Western Canada (see our Spec-D PRO-AM licensing series article).

Photo courtesy of DRIFTEM Correspondent Owen Garrett.

Evolution: From Grassroots Drifting To Professional Drifting Polish.

USDC's growth hasn't been static; it's undergone a "significant evolution," as Jackson puts it, clarifying that it’s been the “right type of evolution.”

"Advancements in technical standards have led to superior vehicles, enhanced driver skills, and more professional teams and crews," Jackson said, crediting USDC’s dedicated squad, including Sarah Panico, Alex Ulate, Hunter Kaplan, and many others, like Nathan Bartley and Tyson Carmichael, for USDC’s uplift.

Media has been a game-changer for the 2025 season, with live streams and enhanced coverage boosting visibility. Partners like Drift HQ's Joel Garcia and Duarte Viana, alongside Owen Garrett (a Drift Enthusiast Magazine correspondent and USDC Media Staff Member), have elevated the series' profile.

Jackson emphasizes continuous improvement, indicating, "We strive to refine at least one element of each event, whether it’s event operations, media quality, or sponsor engagement."

This mirrors broader trends in drifting, where data collection and technology - like momentum lights and telemetry - are pushing boundaries.

"I love the technology and the data collection... in the future we plan to have fully computerized judging," Jackson envisioned, hinting at a tech-driven future that could revolutionize PRO-AM judging.

For the current season, media advancements take center stage. "We are prioritizing advancements in media to ensure high-quality, professional coverage," Jackson said, also noting there is a focus on eliminating subpar content, and the implementation of feedback through regular meetings.

Behind the scenes, it's about precision, "While our core activities remain consistent, we are executing them with greater precision and professionalism,” Jackson stated.

Photo courtesy of LEADFOOTCITY.COM.

Producing PROSPEC Drifting Talent: A Pipeline To The PROS.

One of USDC's proudest achievements is its role in developing drivers who advance to Formula DRIFT’s PROSPEC level.

"USDC has cultivated a roster of highly competitive drivers, many of whom remain engaged with our series well after earning their professional licenses," Jackson explained.

Standouts include inaugural-year licensees Lee Yearwood (@leebirdrb) and Jayden Martorana (@jay_the_drifter) (returning to compete in the 2026 PROSPEC season), Brandon McDowell (@mcdrifting) and recent licensee Matt Shulman (@mattshulmannnn) (both former crew for Formula DRIFT teams), Luis Lanz (@luislanz8), and last year's champion inductee Ryan Kaufman (@ryanhasinsta), who’s been excelling in PROSPEC this year.

The fulfilling aspect for Jackson? … watching the drivers thrive.

"The most fulfilling part would be when we get to go see the guys in PROSPEC... they’re all making it past their seeding bracket," Jackson said. “We’re sending the caliper of driver that Formula DRIFT needs to increase PROSPEC competitiveness and it’s a testament to USDC’s commitment to prepare its drivers for the transition.”

And, it’s this kind of commitment and consistent pipeline that embodies the stepping-stone function of what PRO-AM series across the world are designed to be - the level where grassroots origins fuel driver dreams of becoming professionals.

Photo courtesy of DRIFTEM Correspondent Owen Garrett.

Challenges and Rewards: The Pros And Cons Of Running A PRO-AM Drift Series.

Of course, running USDC isn't without its hurdles. "The cons? It’s not easy... logistics are horrible," Jackson admitted, noting it requires a team of 30 staff handling travel, meals, media, and more. There's also the inevitable post-event drama.

"You’re going to end up with one winner and... the rest of the guys mad," shrugged Jackson, who has also made personal sacrifices, like seeing his own car sitting idle in the trailer.

Yet, like many things in drifting, the positives outweigh the negatives - Formula DRIFT's trust, seeing driver’s progress up the chain, and the community's gratitude (once tempers cool) are just a few of the many.

Sponsors are crucial too, as is the importance of giving them "substantial exposure and value," Jackson added.

Key USDC backers include Redline Oil, Drift HQ, Kenda Tires, BC Racing, and more, enabling events at premier spots like Sebring International Raceway, Orlando Speed World, and Lead Foot City. Media partners like Drift Enthusiast Magazine, Open TV, and Outlaw Network amplify reach, with social media exploding to millions of views, including 65 million on Brazil's Open TV.

Photo courtesy of DRIFTEM Correspondent Owen Garrett.

Looking Ahead: More Drifting Excitement And Expansion.

Jackson's excitement this season centers on social media growth and international exposure. "After a period of stagnation, we are now experiencing increased visibility and this exposure showcases our talented drivers," he said, confirming that USDC draws from drifting's global culture of innovation and community, and remains committed to advancing the sport one refined event at a time.

With the limitation of one PROSPEC license per season, USDC's top ten drivers showcase exceptional skill and their dedication inspires all. "The dedication of these drivers, who consistently overcome significant challenges, is truly inspiring," Jackson praised.

With a growth rate of 30-something percent per year, Jackson’s said his vision is steady progress.

"As long as we see progression, I think I’m happy with that," Jackson stated, but quickly added, “USDC’s growth is a shared achievement.” He credits the growth to the teams, sponsors, and fans, along with auxiliary events such as Fuel Fest, that draw in 20,000 spectators, the best drivers, and provide an unparalleled platform for talent to shine.