All photos by Chantelle D’mello

Hundreds of fans braved last night’s cold weather and chilly winds to witness Qatari drifter Abdelrahman Fakhroo bag the title of “King of Drift” at the first Red Bull Car Park Drift event of the year.

The competition always attracts droves of automotive fans and adrenaline junkies eager to take in the smell of burning rubber and the sound of souped-up car engines.

Traditionally held at the large Losail International Circuit car park, last night’s event instead took place at the Corniche-Dallah parking lot.

While more central, the change in venue caused some traffic snafus, as hundreds of vehicles tried to park close to the venue, holding up other motorists in some areas.

Some fans said they had to walk long distances and cross several lanes of traffic to make their way to the venue, where they huddled near the barricades, phones aloft, vying for prime view of the drifters. Many left before the event came to a close, heading for the warmth of their cars.

Some 20 drifters competed around the set course in front of a panel of judges who scored the participants on their skill, agility, and maneuvering skills.

Contestants are awarded points for the amount of time spent continuously drifting, how much smoke the car generates and how the exterior of the car looks. Conversely, participants have points deducted if they hit obstacles, drift the wrong way, or spin their car.

At halftime, two Red bull biking athletes entertained the crowd with acrobatic-like tricks done atop moving bikes.

Ultimately, Fakhroo, who placed third at last year’s event, beat out defending champion Qatari Mohammed Al Khayat and his souped-up version of a BMW 325, to win the title of Qatar “King of Drift,” and a shot at representing the country at the Red Bull CPD regional championships in Oman this December.

Did you check out the competition? Thoughts?