MUSCAT: Lithuanian driver Benediktas Cirba edged Kuwait’s Ali Makhseed in the thrilling final to take the honours of the Round 2 of Oman International Drift Championship 2023 on Friday night.
“It was just incredible. This year the competition is higher than ever and I feel honoured to win the top place for this round. I can’t wait for what’s in store for the next one,” Cirba said after the narrow win over
Ali Makhseed.
The final witnessed a close contest and Cirba prevailed after Ali Makhseed pulled out due to a mechanical issue in the end.
Nonetheless, Ali Makhseed finished runner-up in the main international category and topped the Mena category.
The Kuwaiti driver said: “It’s a bittersweet moment to lose in the final because of a mechanical issue but I’m lucky today to get to the final, and thank God for that.
“It’s been a long weekend, and big thanks goes to OAA for organising such a great event and I look forward to seeing everyone in the next round.”
Irish drifter Alan Hynes finished third for a second straight time after beating Omani driver Ahmed al Amri in the third-place play-off.
The entry to the last four stage guaranteed Al Amri a second spot in the Mena category.
First round winner Nikolass Bertens ended his campaign after he was disqualified in the last 16, giving way to Ahmad Daham of Jordan, who finished third in the Mena category. Daham was second in the main category in the opening round.
A total of 46 drivers competed in the qualifiers on Thursday (January 19) at the Oman Automobile Association’s Muscat Drift Arena.
The top 32 qualified into the finals on January 20.
Tough decisions were taken by the judges on the panel, taking in every minuscule detail into consideration.
AL AMRI SHINES
In the national category, Ahmed al Amri put up an impressive show to top the charts after a good competition.
“I’m so happy to have earned first place in the national category. It’s been such a great season so far with all these great drifters and I thank OAA for all the work they have put into organising this tournament,” Ahmed al Amri said.
Ali al Balushi claimed the second position and last round topper Haitham al Hadidi finished third in the national category.
The winners in three categories were crowned by Ahmed al Humaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, in presence of Brigadier (retd) Salim al Maskari, Chairman of OAA.
The third round of Oman International Drift Championship will take place on February 9 and 10 at the OAA.
OIDC Round 2 results
International
1. Benediktas Cirba (Lithuania)
2. Ali Makhseed (Kuwait)
3. Alan Hynes (Ireland)
Mena (Middle East/North African)
1. Ali Makhseed (Kuwait)
2. Ahmed al Amri (Oman)
3. Ahmed Daham (Jordan)
National
1. Ahmed al Amri
2. Ali al Balushi
3. Haitham al Hadidi
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
