Three consumers Experience thrilling Taxi Ride with Red Bull Mobile
Riyadh, 18 November 2024
Amid electrifying excitement and in front of a crowd of motorsports fans, X emerged victorious in the national qualifiers of the Red Bull Car Park Drift competition. The event marked a thrilling return to Saudi Arabia with Red Bull MOBILE, captivating attendees at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex (Green Halls) on Saturday, November 16.
The competition, hosted in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation and Nissan, drew a significant turnout of drift enthusiasts. With each passing year, the Red Bull Car Park Drift continues to grow in popularity and extend its influence throughout the region. X triumphed over fierce competition at the Saudi stage of the tournament, showcasing the impressive level of talent in the sport at a national scale. As the crowned champion, Zakria Salwan secured his place to represent the Kingdom in the world finals, held in Muscat, Oman, on December 6 of this year.
The event featured a lively atmosphere enriched with side performances, highlighted by a thrilling drift show from Lebanese drift legend, Abdo Feghali, whose skillful maneuvers on the track left the audience craving more. The national final kicked off with 21 of the top drivers from across Saudi Arabia, each demonstrating their supreme drifting skills on a track specially designed by Feghali to push competitors to their limits and bring forth their best performances.
The drivers were scored by a panel of judges based on a set of criteria, including drift artistry, vehicle appearance, tire smoke, crowd interaction, and specific maneuvers required at different points on the track.
As the competition intensified, the semi-final round featured Zakria Salwan, Turky Al Zeer, Hussam Bazahid, and Nicholas Solomon. The drivers had to showcase boldness while also maintaining precision, as any misstep could result in penalties. These included hitting track barriers, navigating in the wrong direction, or losing control and spinning out. Accumulating three penalties in one round meant immediate disqualification.
The top four drivers delivered unforgettable performances, showcasing close competition, remarkable skill, and an atmosphere charged with energy. Ultimately, Zakaria Salwan took home the title, finishing ahead of Turky Al Zeer in second place and Hussam Bazahid in third. From the winner’s podium, the Saudi “King of Drift” expressed immense joy at his national victory and looked forward to delivering an honorable performance and competing fiercely for the title at the world finals in Oman next month.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit hosted the 2022 season finale of the Red Bull Car Park Drift championship, which concluded in December after 12 months of competitions with Egypt’s Hisham El Khatib crowned as the “King of Drift.” He triumphed over Oman’s Haitham Al Hadidi and Iraq’s Ahmed Daham. That world final marked the largest participation in the championship’s 15+ year history.
For more information, visit www.redbull.com/CarParkDriftRiyadh
About Red Bull Car Park Drift
Red Bull Car Park Drift is a competitive drifting event where both amateur and professional drivers tackle a track full of obstacles and challenges. Competitors aim to score high in each round to move forward in an elimination-style format. Judges evaluate performances based on skills like drifting ability, car smoke, and overall appearance, awarding up to 400 points.
This event attracts audiences of all ages, from motorsports enthusiasts and thrill-seekers to fans of precision driving and showmanship. Red Bull Car Park Drift gives amateur drivers the chance to compete internationally, showcasing their skills in front of thousands of motorsport fans.