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The National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland, became the stage for one of the most spectacular motorsport events of the year. The Red Bull Drift Masters Grand Finale 2025 drew the attention of millions of fans worldwide, and one of its main highlights was the Clash of Legends – a unique showdown in which motorsport icons competed in identical Polaris RZR Pro R Sport vehicles.
Taking place from 12-13 September, the event has already reached an estimated media audience of 12 million people, a figure that continues to grow with ongoing global coverage, underlining both the exceptional scale of the event and the immense interest of motorsport fans.
The starting grid brought together legendary names, both Polish and global stars, from multiple motorsport disciplines, including:
- Carlos Sainz – two-time WRC World Champion and four-time Dakar Rally winner
- David Coulthard – former Formula 1 vice-champion with 13 Grand Prix victories
- Adam Małysz – four-time World Champion in ski jumping and Dakar Rally competitor
- Tadeusz Błażusiak – six-time FIM SuperEnduro World Champion
- Mattias Ekström – DTM Champion and rallycross winner
- Timmy Hansen – FIA World Rallycross Champion
- Johan Kristoffersson – five-time FIA World Rallycross Champion
- Michał Kościuszko – JWRC and PWRC vice-champion, WRC competitor, and Polaris Polska Racing Team driver
- Maciej Giemza – official Polaris Racing Polska driver and Dakar Rally participant
Polaris and RD Racing
All drivers competed in identical Polaris RZR Pro R Sport vehicles, specially prepared for the event by RD Racing. These lightweight, agile machines – powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0L engine with 225 HP – underwent extensive modifications to meet the challenges of stadium drifting.
Key modifications included the replacement of the frame with a rally-grade safety cage, installation of safety nets on the doors, specially-tuned suspension for drift performance, and custom Red Bull-branded livery, giving the show a unique identity.
The RD Racing team also provided full technical support during the event, ensuring both maximum performance and safety for the world-class drivers.
Thrills and Competition
Day one featured timed qualifications, where speed and precision were key. The fastest lap went to Michał Kościuszko, who clocked 29.584 seconds, just 0.164 seconds ahead of Carlos Sainz.
Day two delivered knockout-style duels. The grand finale saw Mattias Ekström face Timmy Hansen. Ultimately, Ekström took the victory thanks to flawless driving, while Hansen’s mistake and time penalty cost him the win.
“This was a huge challenge for us and at the same time a privilege to be part of such a prestigious event as Red Bull Drift Masters,” said Nicolas Retat, CEO of Polaris Polska, emphasising the importance of the project. “This experience opened a new chapter for Polaris – we proved that our vehicles can compete in an environment far beyond off-road terrain. The legendary drivers gave us incredibly valuable feedback, which we will certainly use in the future. This is just the beginning of our journey in such projects. I hope this is just the first of many stages of our cooperation with Red Bull.”
Clash of Legends – Results
Qualifications (Friday):
- 1. Michał Kościuszko (Poland) – 1:29.584
- 2. Carlos Sainz (Spain) – +0.164
- 3. Johan Kristoffersson (Sweden) – +0.727
- 4. Timmy Hansen (Sweden) – +0.893
- 5. David Coulthard (UK) – +1.421
- 6. Mattias Ekström (Sweden) – +1.560
- 7. Adam Małysz (Poland) – +2.418
- 8. Tadeusz Błażusiak (Poland) – +3.294
Quarterfinals (Saturday):
- Maciej Giemza – 1:33.291 | Michał Kościuszko – 1:37.028 (+5s penalty)
- Mattias Ekström – 1:31.118 | David Coulthard – 1:41.838 (+5s penalty)
- Johan Kristoffersson – 1:30.720 | Tadeusz Błażusiak – 1:40.881
- Timmy Hansen – 1:31.731 | Adam Małysz – 1:42.275 (+5s penalty)
Semifinals:
- Mattias Ekström – 1:32.399 | Maciej Giemza – 1:34.325
- Timmy Hansen – 1:30.279 | Johan Kristoffersson – 1:31.279
Final:
- Mattias Ekström – 1:31.796 | Timmy Hansen – 1:42.169 (+10s penalty)
ABOUT POLARIS
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle® mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.
