Doha: Mohammad Al Khayat is crowned Qatar’s King of Drift after clinching the winning title of the Red Bull Car Park Drift 2015 on Friday.
The country witnessed an unforgettable furious night full of roaring engines and tires smoke at Losail International Circuit.
Under the patronage of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and the supervision of legendary drifter, Abdo Feghali, the night to remember marks a thrilling return of the Championship to Qatar after a break of 5 years.
A record number of 6000 spectators witnessed the 10 drifters who demonstrated that their skills are indeed on international level. Mohammad Al Khayet achieved 367 points and convinced the four judges.
He has now two weeks to get ready for Dubai. He will represent Qatar at the Middle-East drifting championship at Red Bull Car Park Drift Final 2015 on November 20.
Competition was close between the 10 drifters, and an unexpected number of 6000 spectators gathered at Losail International Circuit, got to witness unprecedented drifting action, reflecting exceptional skills and technique in a safe environment.
The park was surrounded by a high-octane feeling that was missed since 2010. All this action came true, thanks to the patronage and support of QMMF in different areas: facility, sporting, safety and security and the backing of QMMF and Losail International Circuit staff.
Mohammad Al Khayat driving a BMW 325showed a consistent level across all runs.
His final run was near perfect ensuring a clean and tidy pass and making no contact with the cones.
Second place went to Ahmad Allouh driving a BMW 316 with 277 points while Abdelrahman Fakhroo rounded the podium scoring 235 points on his Nissan Skyline.
Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, QMMF President, was present to deliver the trophies. “I am extremely happy and proud of this achievement. Drifting is my passion! Thank you Red Bull, thank you QMMF for the opportunity to represent my country Qatar in the Finals.,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to this,” added Al Khayat.
The judging panel consisted of Paul Fadel (Motorsports expert), Mohamed Abu Issa (Red Bull Athlete, Qatari Dakar quad rider), Abdulla Al Hajaj (QMMF Official) and Elie Semaan (Clerk of the Course at QMMF).
The process was based on drifting skills as a major criterion, in addition to car look and design, clipping point, car sound, tire smoke, and the box.
Abdo Feghali, who holds Guinness World Record for the longest vehicle drift said: “Red Bull Car Park Drift with the help of QMMF is back to Doha and this gives us a great excitement. The level of drifters in this country and the interest in this activity are remarkable and we really aim through this competition to make champions out of drifters amateurs.”
The competition that was hosted by the famous Karen Der Kaloustian, included a quad race show by one of the members of the judging panel, the talented rider Mohamed Abu Issa, who is the first Qatari rider to finish the infamous Dakar Rally on a quad in 2014.
THE PENINSULA
