Another year, another exciting edition of Red Bull Car Park Drift is underway! This March, the UAE’s most talented drifters will unite once again for one of the most exciting events on the region’s motorsports calendar. And there are even new obstacles in store!
The 2022 UAE qualifiers of Red Bull Car Park Drift is set to take place Sunday 6 March at Souk Al Marfa at Deira Island. And as always, fans and spectators are urged to head there early to get as close to the action as possible.
THE DETAILS
Where? Souk Al Marfa, Deira Island
When? Sunday 6 March 2022
Those unable to make it on the day will be able to keep up on all the events via the live stream of Red Bull Car Park Drift on the Red Bull Motorsports’ Facebook page.
THE JUDGES
Big names from the world of motorsport – Jordanian drift king Ahmad Daham; Emirati motocross champion Mohammed Al Balooshi; Lebanon’s Yousif Basil, and Yemeni Wadhah Abdullah Ali – are back on judging and guest judging duty this year.
Also returning is Lebanese drifting legend and Red Bull athlete, Abdo Feghali, as event director.
THE WINNER
The victorious drifter of the UAE finals will earn a spot in the Red Bull Car Park Drift World Championship, set to take place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 30 November 2022.
They will be in with the chance of making history and joining previous title holders, including recent winners such as 2021 champion, Ahmed Al Amri (Oman/Qatar), 2019’s Anas El Helou (Jordan), and 2018’s Oliver El Kik (Lebanon).
LAST YEAR’s UAE WINNER
Emirati drifter Mohammed Al Mansoori secured the top spot at the 2021 UAE qualifiers of Red Bull Car Park Drift, beating 35 other participants in his Nissan Silvia.
Narrowly missing out on the top spot was Lebanon’s Amir Mohammad Shehab, followed by Egyptian drifter Ahmed Sameer Al Adl in third.
SO – JUST WHAT IS DRIFTING?
Dating back to the 1960s, drifting is said to have originated in Japan when a group of racers set out to beat their ‘A to B’ race times by exceeding the grip limit of their tyres when taking sharp corners. Obviously, it didn’t really help the racing times, but what started out as that turned into a different type of motorsport – and drifting was born!
WHEN DID RED BULL CAR PARK DRIFT DEBUT?
The first-ever event took place in Beirut, Lebanon in 2008 at City Mall’s car park, with Michel Feghali crowned the competition’s very first King of Drift.
The second event’s winner was Garo Haroutiounian, and then in 2010, Red Bull Car Park Drift was expanded into a regional competition series, with 15 qualifiers in ten countries. The finale was held at Forum de Beyrouth with Lebanese drifter Feras Khaddaj taking the title.
WHAT ARE THE RULES OF RED BULL CAR PARK DRIFT?
Drifters must expertly make their way round a challenging course, avoiding obstacles along the way. Each competitor is judged according to a set of eight criteria for a total of 300 points.
A maximum of 80 points out of 300 is allocated towards drifting skills, while the flipper and pendulum challenges account for up to 40 and 50 points, respectively. Meanwhile, the car’s looks and design make up 30 points, whereas tyre smoke, car sound, the gate and spiral tasks contribute a total of 40 points towards the score. The final, tricky ‘Boxes’ – tight enclosures the drifters need to do a ‘doughnut’ in – is worth a combined 60 points.
Drifters lose points if they hit obstacles, drift the wrong way, or spin their car. Three penalties in one round, and it’s disqualification!
Visit redbullcarparkdrift.com to keep up to date with the competition’s latest news, features and interviews.
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