Sim Drifting Levels Up with Drift Indy at Vyral

Drift Indy’s annual off-season virtual competition series leveled up this year, partnering with Vyral to host all three rounds and bring the signature DI party vibe to sim drifting. Competitors from across the country battled through two rounds of virtual Top 32 competition, with the top eight from each event earning a spot in the live finals. Each round crowned its own top three, but the real prizes awaited at the finals: a fully specced-out Drift Indy x Vyral gaming PC for the champion, along with custom Grip Royal steering wheels for second and third place. 

Held between days of Drift Indy’s IRL season opener at Kilkare Raceway, the local community came out in full force. Hangs were had, tacos sold out, and beers were crushed. Drift Indy and Vyral even launched their very own beer, Tandem - brewed locally in Ohio and available exclusively at the Vyral Compound. The stage was set and the vibes were right for a great night. 

With killer prizes on the line and a real crowd to perform in front of, drivers were each given a few minutes practice before their first battles to feel out an unfamiliar setup. The track? BC Racing’s Training Facility designed by Chelsea Denofa…a professional drifter’s fantasy. A big downhill initiation into tight switchbacks made for some great battles, many of which went into multiple One More Times. 

One of the most exciting match ups of the night was the Final 4 battle between good friends Tyler Klocke and Brad Johnson, who practice together for every comp, and it shows. Round 1 at Meihan saw these two face off three times before Brad finally edged out a win in their third bout. History repeated itself here, with Brad once again coming out on top after another intense showdown, securing his spot in the finals, where he went on to defeat Randy Noa for the overall win. The battle for third saw Tyler take on Drift Indy’s own Caleb Schmidt, with Caleb claiming the final podium spot and some sweet new Grip Royal hardware. 

Even without getting to take a step on the podium, fourth place finisher Tyler Klocke came all the way from Michigan and couldn’t have had a better time gaming with the boys. “Driving the sim at Vyral with all of the other competitors and spectators behind us added such a wild energy that you don’t get from doing it at home.” Tyler said. “Every single battle there was cheering and shouting, it added so much excitement to the experience. Plus getting to chop it up after the battle with your competitor was an awesome feeling.”

While Tyler took home memories, Brad Johnson had a more tangible prize, and a new problem to solve: trying to figure out how to pack his brand new gaming PC into his daily drifter GR86, and keep it safe all the way home to Wisconsin. If winning the final round wasn’t impressive enough, Brad showed up ready to compete, bringing his entire personal setup. PC, wheel and pedals, and even his desk chair…all packed into his drift car…from Wisconsin. 

If there’s anything the Drift Indy Virtual Finals proved, it’s that sim drifting isn’t just a solo grind for basement gamers, it’s a full-blown community with the same camaraderie, adrenaline, and passion that fuels real world drifting. With moments like Tyler soaking in the competitive atmosphere, Brad stuffing a brand new gaming PC into his drift car, or Edgar and Shawn riffing in the booth on stream, one thing was clear: sim drifting isn’t just a part of the culture—it is the culture.

For more content from this event, check out our gallery here: https://wreckedmagazine.com/pages/photo#43-38-2025-drift-indy-virtual-finals