On a global level, the story of drifting goes back to the 1960s on the beautiful winding Japanese mountain roads, where a bunch of likeminded racers set out to beat their A to B times by exceeding the grip limit of their tires when taking sharp corners.
It did not do much to help their racing times, but instead evolved into an entirely different discipline. Drifting was born, and when a Red Bull manager discovered the exciting sport in 2005, he decided to spark a fire in the Middle East, a fire that still burns to this very day.
Forward to present day, the 2019 Red Bull Car Park Drift lights up once again in Kuwait. The global qualifiers will be kicked off from Kuwait, moving from one city to another, with the series final hosted in the city of Istanbul later this year.
It’s only been a couple of months since Lebanon welcomed elite drifters competing for the 2018 King of Drift throne. Lebanon have also hosted the first ever Red Bull Car Park Drift event in 2008, making it possible for all underground drifters to put their skills to the test, and placed the spotlight on rally champion Abdo Feghali, making him a drifting legend.
Car Park Drift Winners. Courtesy of Red Bull Kuwait
Meanwhile, Kuwait is set and ready to rev-up its engines for the local qualifiers of the 2019 series on February 1 at Sirbb Circuit. The Drift is organized by Basel Salem Al-Sabah Motor Racing Club, and is sponsored by Falken Tyres and Platinum Gym.
In celebration of eleven years since the first ever Red Bull Car Park Drift event in Lebanon, drifters will be competing to clinch the crown of the Kuwait 2019 King of Drift. Having had hosted a successful adrenaline-filled Series Final in 2017, Kuwait is, no doubt, in the position to impress thousands of drifting and motorsport fans alike.
Over 2,500 spectators will visit Sirbb Circuit on the first of February to witness throne-thirsty drifters go head to head for the coveted title. With only one drifter qualifying from each participating country, Turkey will welcome the 2019 Kuwait King of Drift at the Series Final, where he will compete to claim the Series Final throne.
Red Bull Car Park Drift Qualifier at Sirbb Circuit. Courtesy of Red Bull Kuwait
Kuwait’s qualifying drifter will face a fierce challenge for the King of Drift title, competing against drifters from twelve other countries that have participated in the series. 2019 will kick off in Kuwait, and the competition will continue with qualifiers in Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Algeria, Mauritius, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Georgia, and Jordan.
The competition continues to provide drifting amateurs and professionals with the opportunity to highlight their skills and compete for the crown, while capturing the crowd’s attention. Last year’s final witnessed an exciting turnout, with Lebanese drifter, Oliver El Kik, securing the King of Drift crown after a stellar performance, one that won’t be forgotten as much as the next one to happen! So gear up for the day of drifters on the first of February to catch a glimpse of fascinating drifting skills at Sirbb Circuit.
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For more information, visit www.redbullcarparkdrift.com.
