17-year-old Cristian Tauru becomes youngest pro drift champion in Romanian motorsport history
Bucharest driver Cristian Tauru has become the youngest national drift champion in the Pro class in Romanian motorsport history, securing the title at the age of 17 years and eight months, a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday informs.
The 11th-grade student sealed the championship during the season finale held in Bucharest's Constitution Square, where he also recorded the highest qualifying score among the 21 Pro-class drivers, including competitors from Bulgaria and Ukraine.
In the elimination battles, Tauru defeated 2022 champion Radu Moise and then title rival Iskren Iliev in the quarter-finals before losing to Claudiu Adam in the semi-finals. Driving a 725-horsepower BMW M4.2 2JZ, he went on to win the third-place battle against Andrei Cristea, a result sufficient to secure the national crown.
The Bucharest round, attended by nearly 10,000 spectators over two days, was won by Gabi Imre Jr., who had previously held the record as RoDrift's youngest champion, having claimed the title in 2024 at the age of 17 years and 11 months.
'I am living a dream. A few years ago, I could not even imagine being in this position. I was just a kid who wanted to drive a drift car. To compete against my idols and then win the championship is beyond incredible. I am convinced the hard part is only beginning now, and I will have to fight on every competition day to keep improving myself,' Tauru said after securing the title.
Following the five rounds of the 2026 season, Tauru amassed 475 points, with two victories and three additional top-four finishes. Gabi Imre Jr. finished second with 402 points, while Iskren Iliev completed the championship podium with 382 points. Tauru topped a field of 29 drivers who scored points in the Pro standings this season.
'We are witnessing an extraordinary generational shift. The young drivers coming through are extremely talented, and I am sure Cristian Tauru will not be the last to break this record. The Bucharest round was a spectacular event in which all the drivers showcased their mastery of controlled drifting. I am also delighted that we once again enjoyed the support of such a large crowd,' said RoDrift president Denis Manea.
In the Semi Pro category, Bulgaria's Boian Marinov claimed the national title with 417 points, ahead of Moldova's Efim Mazur on 389 points and Catalin Stanciulescu on 291 points. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Adrian Tone; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)
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