Red Bull gives ‘wiiings’ to local drifting scene

Saturday, 4 December 2021 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Redbull gave local drifting enthusiasts an unforgettable experience with Sri Lanka’s first Red Bull Car Park Drift Clinic. Held on 27 November, the event was a first for Sri Lanka with over 35 drivers participating and a master class in drifting conducted by Lebanese champion driver Abdo Feghali.

Despite the challenge of hosting the event for the first time in Sri Lanka in addition to health guidelines and challenges of hosting a public event amidst the backdrop of the pandemic the response was inspiring and a true testament to the popularity of drifting in Sri Lanka and to Red Bull’s commitment towards giving wiiings to local drivers. The event was a reflection of Sri Lanka’s potential to one day becomes a host country to the World Championship final in the future.

The Red Bull Car Park Drift was an anticipated event on the Red Bull events calendar. The sport attracted lot of interest not only among racing enthusiasts and drivers but also among spectators. As a first for Sri Lanka the event was doubly special as it offered Sri Lankan drifters an opportunity to put their skill to test and learn from the champion drifter Abdo Feghali.

Abdo Feghali is a Lebanese rally driver and triple national champion who began his career in 1998. His passion for drifting pushed him to develop his talent and become a drifting veteran. In 2013 Feghali won the overall Lebanese Rally Championship. In 2012, he broke the Guinness World Record for the longest drift in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2012 Feghali came in 2nd at the Rally of Lebanon whereas he ranked 3rd in 2002, 2003 and 2011. Feghali was also crowned the Middle East’s Hill Climb champion from 2007 to 2010 and the Lebanese Hill Climb Champion between 2006 and 2012.

The drifting circuit itself has various types of drifting challenges. The judging criteria covers car design, sound and smoke levels in addition to the driver’s overall drifting skills and skill through obstacle courses and other competitive challenges.

Local drifters and racing enthusiasts have more to look forward to next year as Red Bull Sri Lanka is planning to host Red Bull Car Park Drift qualifiers in 2022. The recently concluded clinic session was just a teaser of the main even to come but left spectators and racers revved up and ready for more.