Giving up a career in the corporate world to pursue an innate passion for drifting full time, Mubarak Al-Rumaidhi took a huge risk to create a brand new career path for others to follow suit out of a simple notion: Why follow a dream that isn’t yours?
Before Co-founding and organizing the drifting community, Slide ‘N Glide, with a group of friends, Mubarak knew that his dreams extended far beyond a career in banking. If anything, Mubarak saw a future for the automotive sport in the Middle East, as the technique involved with drifting is all about control and proficiency, which needed to be practiced in a safe environment. From Slide ‘N Glide, his dream to initiate a world of Drifting in Kuwait became a reality. This was followed by the creation of Traction Off with his partner, a professional Drift Team that would go on to participate in competitions and events in Kuwait and the entire region.
Once Mubarak let his competitive edge take over, he began turning his dreams into realities. This started with the Traction Off team competing in and winning the Red Bull Car Park Drift 2012 in Jordan as a Kuwait representative while Mubarak’s partner won in Al-Khobar. Wanting to prove to himself and the region that there is indeed a career in drifting, Mubarak went on to conceptually direct and take part in NBK’s McLaren campaign as the stunt driver in the campaign video. Accepting this project alone is a huge feat, as Mubarak was emphasizing a rare opportunity for Kuwaiti youth that usually doesn’t happen, nor is it even encouraged. The amazing success of that campaign is a portrayal of his passion, and the start of a brand new field in the local scene of motorsports in Kuwait and the region. From becoming one of the premier stunt drivers in he Middle East, the future is wide open for Mubarak, as he wishes to expand his career in the automotive field.
How would your mother describe you in one word?
Rebel
How would you describe your mother in one word?
Empathetic
What is the most insane question you’ve ever been asked?
Why do you want to quit your job?
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
Driving a manual car at the age of 7
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?
Entrepreneurship
Where would you like to live? What is your dream retirement location?
Fukushima, Japan. I don’t dream about retirement since it doesn’t exist on my to-do list.
What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison
What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in?
I never had a pet; you ask me something about cars though…
What do you miss about your childhood?
The freedom of driving recklessly without fear…
If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Bader
How would you describe your handshake in one word?
Confident
What is the toughest part of your character?
I can’t accept unethical decisions, even if it was in my favor.
Who is your favorite historical figure?
Ayrton Senna
What in the world do you least desire?
Money
What do you think is lacking in the world, which if there was more of, would make the world a better place?
Thinkers
Why do you think most girls/guys like you?
I’m a nice guy!
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…”
Being passionate about what you do for a living.
For more information about Slide N’Glide drift days, please check out
www.slidenglide.net, and visit www.tractionoff.com for more on Mubarak Al-Rumaidhi. Photo credits: Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi and Hamad Al-Fadhli.
