MUSCAT: The Oman Automobile Association (OAA) began its signature Oman International Drift Championship 2024 at the Muscat Drift Arena on Thursday. The popular drift competition will include three rounds until February 23.
The Oman International Drift Championship, considered one of the strongest drift championships in the world, is competed by 48 top drifters from 17 countries. Drifters from hosts Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands, Ireland, El Salvador, Russia, Finland, India, China, Morocco and Sweden are trying their luck at the OAA’s Drift Arena.
The championship will be held under a points system through three rounds. The first round qualification began on Thursday with the main round on Friday. The second round will be held on February 15 and 16 and the OIDC 2024 concludes with the third and final round on February 22 and 23.
Defending champion Ali Maksheed said he is poised for a much stronger challenge in the sixth edition.
“Last year was a great moment for me. I could clinch the overall title for the first time after years of hard work,” the Kuwaiti drifter told a media interaction at OAA’s Thy Yard Pit Stop on Wednesday evening.
“This edition, I believe it will be much stronger competition with a strong field available. I am looking forward to a great campaign,” he said.
This edition also sees the return of James Deane, who clinched the titles in the first two editions of OIDC.
“I always feel comfortable and confident to compete in Oman. It feels great to be back in action after missing the last edition,” the Irish drifter said.
“I feel OIDC throws up different challenges in every edition with the drift arena layout and challenges getting new every year,” the champion of OIDC 2019 and 2020 replied to a query.
“The country and people are always welcoming with a great tradition of hospitality,” Deane said.
Teenage sensation Nikolass Bertens, who made waves as a 16-year-old at the OIDC, feels excited for the new edition.
“I have done well in the past editions of OIDC. Now, I am 18 and the drivers list looks very formidable with many great drifters. I’m ready for the challenge and hopefully things will turn my way in the tough competition,” Bertens, fondly called ‘Niknak’, said.
A committee of experienced officials, who have managed several international drift championships, will judge the competition. The committee is chaired by Kieran Haynes from Ireland along with Wadah Aqaba (Yemen), Vernon Zuaneveld (The Netherlands) and Omani judge Saud al Rawahi.
OMANI CHALLENGE
Nine drifters are taking part from Oman with Haitham al Hadidy and Ahmed al Amri leading the challenge.
“We will try to make more inroads into the competition by finishing on podiums in the main categories,” Haitham said.
Haitham came second in the Round 4 of OIDC 2023 while Ahmed al Amri finished third overall in the Mena category last year.
OAA Chairman Brigadier (retd) Salim bin Ali al Maskari said the OAA has prepared well for another exciting edition of drift challenge.
“The sixth edition of OIDC has been designed well to thrill all the drifting enthusiasts. We expect a good turnout during the competition.”
OAA Managing Director Suleiman al Rawahi said the drifting course is meticulously prepared to test the skills of some of the top drifters in the world.
“We are ready and the drivers can expect a challenging course that tests their skills in drifting,” Al Rawahi said.
Race Director, Fahmi al Busaidy said: “The OAA is always looking to improve the event in many ways such as the technology used, training our marshals and altering the track to competitive levels.”
“We started very early in preparing for this competition, coordinating with the various departments to deliver this championship at a professional standard,” he added.
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