On a picture-perfect Saturday, May 3rd, enthusiasts from across the country converged at Circuit of the Americas for MPACT AUSTIN 2025—a landmark celebration marking the 15th anniversary of this beloved Euro-centric motorsport and lifestyle event. With temps in the 70s and the Texas sun painting a flawless sky, the scene was set for what would become one of the most memorable installments in MPACT history.
The day kicked off with the iconic roll-in: an intoxicating blend of meticulously built show cars, track monsters, roll racers, and a growing contingent of dedicated drifters. As engines echoed through the COTA paddocks, it was clear that European performance was still the soul of MPACT.
Tragically, drama struck early when a GT3 RS suffered a catastrophic engine failure on its first hot lap, cutting its day short. The sight of such a weapon being towed off the track was a somber reminder that with high performance comes high stakes. But the spirit of the day pressed on, powered by the relentless energy of participants and spectators alike.
The show car paddock was a visual feast, packed with rare builds and innovative customizations that pushed boundaries. One trend that stood out this year: performance SUVs. Once the outlier, these lifted titans made a statement with aggressive aero, big brake kits, and tuned powerplants—an exciting evolution for the scene that hints at what’s next for builders pushing beyond the traditional coupe and sedan formats.
Meanwhile, the drift circuit was alive with tire smoke and fresh talent. The drift pad stayed hot, while turns 12 through 15 of the F1 course were opened for high-speed drift sessions—a rare opportunity that drivers didn’t take for granted. New faces and fresh builds brought raw energy to the pits, further cementing drifting’s place as a core element of the MPACT experience.
A major highlight of the day was the LIVE Tuner Battlegrounds competition—the first of its kind at MPACT. This high-stakes, crowd-driven showdown crowned Jason Merck and Team OG Shark the victors, thanks to their wildly capable 2020 BMW M2 street/race car. With a feature shoot on the horizon, there’s plenty more to come from this standout team.
As the sun began its slow descent, the event culminated in a special parade lap featuring nearly 50 cars circling the world-renowned track. Three full laps under the watchful lens of the media and visited by the COTA helicopter brought the day to a cinematic close—a fitting end to an event defined by passion, performance, and community.
Fifteen years in, MPACT continues to grow without losing its identity. It’s more than just a place to park your car—it’s a movement that brings builders, drivers, fans, and innovators together in celebration of the machines we love and the culture we build around them. Here’s to the next 15 years—and everything that’s coming with it.
Photography by RJ Lake (@nerdy.m3) and write up by Jamie Lake (@_envy.is_)
