MUSCAT: Talented Omani drivers will compete against international drivers at Muscat Drift Arena at Oman Automobile Association Grounds on February 2 and 3 during the King of Nations and King of Desert Events organised as part of Muscat Festival.
As many as 44 drivers including 14 from Oman, Japan – 2, Kuwait -9, Australia – 1, Jordan – 4, Egypt – 1, UAE – 6, Czech Republic – 1, Qatar – 2, France – 1, USA – 1 and Saudi – 2 will take part in the competitions.
With a brand new track extension, surface and grandstands at the Oman racetrack, it will undoubtedly provide an even playing field for both the international drivers and also for the local drivers to show they have what it takes to potentially challenge Japanese legend Saito and French defending KON champion Nicolas Delorme.
Australian Luke Fink will be piloting his V10 BMW E46 M3 for Oman round of KON and expects with a best fight for this event.
Last weekend, 13 Omani drivers participated in the King of Nations/King of Desert Championship at the Yas Marina Circuit, UAE. Omani drifter Tariq al Shaihani clinched the third position. The young local hero will be given a tough fight by the experienced veteran international drivers.
After the successful hosting of two international drift events in Oman in 2016, by Oman Automobile Association, drivers from 12 countries now compete for the vital points in both championships, providing the ultimate start for the brand-new Omani battleground.
With the layout decided for the new-look arena, it will undoubtedly provide close and intense battles for the capacity crowd and livestream viewers who will be able to tune in from 18:00 GST on Friday on Facebook live at https://www.facebook.com/koedrift/.
List of Drivers
2017 KING OF NATION - ROUND 2
1. Nicolas Elorme (France)
2. Daigo Saito (Japan)
3. Nasser Al mutairi (Kuwait)
4. Luke Fink (Australia)
5. Toni Arakaki (Japan)
6. Ahmad Daham (Jordan)
7. Tariq al Shaihani (Oman)
8. Mohammed al Sawafi (Oman)
9. Ahmed Tarek (Egypt)
10. Ahmed al Ameri (UAE)
11. Ali al Shaihani (Oman)
12. Ali Maksheed (Kuwait)
13. Faisal al Aaabi (UAE)
14. Doruk Engin (Czech Republic)
15. Abdulrahman Fakhroo (Qatar)
16. Haitham al Hadidi (Oman)
17. Sami al Shaibani (Oman)
18. Samer Khadra (Jordan)
19. Abdullah al Mamari (Oman)
20. Mana al Falasi (UAE)
21. Yousuf al Remeaithi (UAE)
22. Arif al Balushi (Oman)
23. Mohammed al Asmi (Oman)
24. Michael Hazeen (Jordan)
25. Farooq al Toobi (Oman)
26. Fahad al Jadei (Kuwait)
27. Yousef Safar (Saudi Arabia)
28. Fahmi al Busaidi (Oman)
29. Saeed al Badwawi (UAE)
30. Abdullah al Badwawi (Oman)
31. Mouneer Hattar (Jordan)
32. Hamad al Hajeri (Kuwait)
33. Falah al Jarba (Saudi Arabia)
34. Mohamad al Khayyat (Qatar)
35. Bekhit al Hajeri (Kuwait)
36. Abdulhadi al Hjailan (Kuwait)
37. Abdullah al Jadi (Kuwait)
38. Abdullah al Balushi (Oman)
39. Reefat al Yahyai (Oman)
40. Nick Solomon (USA)
41. Mohammed al Mansoori (UAE)
42. Faisal Alshuwaiee (Kuwait)
43. Mesyar Abushaiba (Kuwait)
44. Ali al Balushi (Oman)
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