Shiftech Xperience Drift Series: Season 2 is underway

Season 1 comprised four selection weekends. Season 2 comprises five, plus a brand-new round organised in partnership with the CFD. The provisional calendar:

• Round 1 — Transpolis Circuit: 7–8 November 2026, alongside Époque Auto
• CFD Scouting (Radar 27) — Val d’Argenton Circuit: 21 and 22 November 2026 (see below)
• Round 2 — La Ferté-Gaucher Circuit: weekend of 19 and 20 December 2026, featuring a skid control track day organised by Torque
• Round 3 — Fontenay-le-Comte Circuit: the weekend of 9 and 10 January 2027, dry track day organised by Torque School
• Round 4 — Vaison Piste Circuit: weekend of 6 and 7 February 2027
• Round 5 — Mystery Circuit: weekend of 6 and 7 March 2027 (venue to be confirmed)
• Semi-Final and Final — Vaison Piste Circuit: 20 and 21 March 2027

 

The schedule is being announced early so that entrants can plan their weekends without being caught off guard. Places are limited for each round.
To take part in the track days, you can register directly via Torque School.

This is the main development for this season. In partnership with the French Drift Championship, Shiftech is including an official qualifying round in its programme for the first time: Radar 27, to be held at the Val d’Argenton circuit on 21 and 22 November 2026.

The key difference from other selection events is that you bring your own car. There’s no slalom in a loan car. You’ll be driving on the official CFD track, on the same clip zones used in competition, in front of the championship teams. The limit is set at a maximum of 50 drivers for the whole day.

At the end of the day, one or two participants selected by the CFD selectors will secure a direct place in the semi-finals and final of the Shiftech Drift Series, without having to go through the usual stages.

This is a direct response to a recurring request since Season 1: those who had their own car and wanted to test themselves under their own conditions had no suitable entry point. Radar 27 offers you the chance to do just that.

Registration is via the CFD website. Don’t delay: places will go fast.

Last year, the simulator selection process required participants to travel to a Shiftech centre. There were logistical issues, and the event failed to attract much interest. This year, the format is changing completely.

The simulator selection round is moving online. A Top 32-style format has been set up in collaboration with the organisers of the French sim drift scene: you log in from your own setup, complete your qualifying rounds, and whoever wins the evening secures a direct place in the final at Vaison Piste.

The entry fee has been reduced from 60 to 30 euros. This is the final attempt at this format: if there isn’t much enthusiasm this season, the simulator component will be scrapped.

A reminder from Season 1: one of the participants who finished in the top 10 of the selection had never driven a car in real-world conditions. Proof that a high standard on the simulator can translate into talent that’s evident on the track. Participants are allowed to take part both in person and via the simulator.

Several rules have changed since Series 1.

The minimum age has been lowered to 17, providedthe driver holds a driving licence. The age of majority is no longer a requirement (parental consent is required for minors).

Nationality is no longer a disqualifying factor. A valid driving licence is sufficient, regardless of nationality. Drivers from Belgium, Spain, Portugal and other European countries may enter.

The CFD wild card rule has been clarified. Having taken part in just one round of the CFD as a wild card does not result in disqualification. However, having competed in a full CFD season (even partially, or even with mechanical breakdowns) excludes a driver from selection. Drivers currently competing in the CFD are not eligible to take part.

Women are explicitly encouraged to register. Drifting is won through talent, not otherwise. Shiftech would be delighted to see a woman competing in the French Drift Championship at the wheel of the E90.

The basic structure of the physical selection process remains unchanged: a warm-up line, a selection line, and three judges, including one official CFD judge. A slalom course similar to that in Season 1. The parking space (a precision exercise that led to some surprise eliminations last year) is being retained, or at least is under consideration. Details of the course will be provided before the heats.

The entry fee for the physical selection trials remains at 60 euros, including oil and labour for the photo shoot; travel costs are to be borne by the participant.

The car provided for the trials remains a Nissan 370Z from Torque Drift School.

The winner of the grand final will compete for a full season in the French Drift Championship’s Pro category, at the wheel of the same BMW E90 that took Salim Karrouache to the Rookie title in Season 1. The car is prepared by Brothers Custom and tuned by Shiftech. All season costs are covered (excluding personal travel expenses).

New for this season compared to Season 1: the runner-up and third-placed finisher in the final will each receive a wild card for the Viking Cup, with a car provided by Torque. So it’s no longer just one winner taking it all: the entire podium gets something.

Salim Karrouache, for his part, is not taking part in the selection process. He will be present as an ambassador and will share his experience with the contestants throughout the season.