Adam LZ Drops A Fresh Bombshell About His Future Plans
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Adam LZ has closed the book on his European drifting plans, marking what he’s calling “the end of an era” for the American YouTuber’s international competition career following his final Drift Masters (DMGP) appearance in Poland.
The Orlando-based driver once again proved his worth at Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy stadium last weekend as a wildcard entry.
He reached the Top 8 against “the best in the world” before falling to Polish hometown hero Pawel Korpulinski in front of over 50,000 spectators in the packed-out stadium.
Korpulinski went on to reach the final battle before losing to 2025 DMGP champion Conor Shanahan, who secured the double.
LZ doubles down on Formula DRIFT plans
LZ’s decision to step back from European competition was announced earlier this year as part of his goal to focus entirely on Formula DRIFT. Due to time constraints from running three businesses (LZMFG, Drift HQ, and SimHQ) alongside his content creation, he decided that the added demands of European travel had become unsustainable.
So far, the decision seems to be paying off, even if LZ still doesn’t feel he’s reached his true potential. He secured his second career Formula DRIFT victory at New Jersey earlier this season and has earned multiple podium finishes.
He currently sits in third place in the FD championship standings as he heads into the first-ever final to be held in Long Beach.
A blow for European fans
His farewell performance saw him overcome mechanical issues with his 2JZ-powered BMW E36, which had been sitting unused for nearly a year, as he advanced through the early elimination rounds.
The end came against Korpulinski in the Top 8, where aggressive driving ultimately cost him.
“I probably should have listened to [my crew] to just do a normal lead, but I tried to be extra spicy,” LZ reflected afterward.
LZ’s short-lived European legacy includes making history as the first American to reach a Drift Masters podium during a full-season appearance last year, achieving third place in the final. His wildcard appearances became must-see events, drawing massive crowds and international attention to the series.
While he’s not retiring from drifting completely, fans won’t see the familiar E36 gracing DMGP anytime soon, as he continues his focus on causing a Formula DRIFT upset.
Despite this, we expect the LZ World Tour to continue into 2026, where he’ll likely make his only European appearances. Next weekend, the LZ tour visits Castle Combe in the UK on 27 September, followed by Mondello Park in Ireland on 28 September – another crazy busy weekend for Adam!
LZ believes he has “what it takes to be a champion in FD”. However, he’s got his work cut out next year, likely having to topple five-time FD champ James Deane to make that dream come true.
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Bill is a writer and photographer who has been part of the Drifted team since 2015. His work extends to various print and online publications, including Wangan Warriors.
As part of the King of Nations team, he traveled extensively for several years, capturing top-tier international drift events worldwide. His hands-on experience, including rebuilding his own Nissan Silvia S15 drift car, gives him unique insights into drift car building and global drift culture.
When not behind the lens or keyboard, Bill can be found browsing classifieds for his next JDM project or shredding virtual tires on popular simulators like Assetto Corsa, CarX, and Forza.
You can learn more about Bill’s story here or follow his socials on X (formerly Twitter), Flickr, Facebook, and Instagram.
