Muscat: The Oman Automobile Association (OAA)’s signature event of Oman International Drift Championship (OIDC 2026) will get into action with the first round taking place at the weekend.
The Muscat Drift Arena will stage the qualification for the main race on January 15 with the first round happening on Friday, January 16.
Over 50 international drivers from more than 20 countries along with several talented drifters from the Sultanate of Oman and Middle East and North Africa are expected to line up their challenge in the internationally-acclaimed drift competition.
The OIDC 2026 is being held as part of the ongoing Muscat Nights, the winter festival of Oman, with Shell as the primary supporter.
All three rounds will be staged at the Muscat Drift Arena, with the second round scheduled on January 29 and 30 while the third and final round happens on February 5 and 6.
MAKSEED TOPS ENTRY
Defending champion Kuwait’s Ali Makseed tops the driver’s entry for the OIDC 2026 with last edition’s third-placed Clint van Oort of the Netherlands and National section champion Ahmed al Amri leads the pack of Omani drifters for the opening action.
International drifting stars Sebastian Fontijn (Netherlands), Lithuania’s Benediktas Cirba, Ahmad Daham, Nasser al Herbali, Conor Shanahan and Andreus Vasiliauskas among others adds spice to the competition with strong challenge from Oman and Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.
Local challengers Riyad al Mabsli, Haitham al Hadidi, Ali al Shaihani, Waqqas al Saud, Ali al Balushi, Zaher al Shaqsi, Tariq al Shaihani, Ahmed al Amri and Sultan al Balushi are all lined up for the first round at the Muscat Drift Arena.
The first day of the championship will be dedicated to qualifying rounds, where drivers will compete to secure their positions in the finals. The action intensifies on day two, which will feature the Top 32 battles, followed by Top 16, Top 8, with the final head-to-head Twin Drift battles, promising high-adrenaline competition for motorsport fans.
The event is being organised by the OAA under the chairmanship of Brigadier Jamal bin Said al Tai, managing director Suleiman al Rawahi and race director Fahmi al Busaidy.
This championship is classified as one of the strongest drifting competitions in the world due to its high organisational standards and intense competition, attracting global elite of the most skilled international drivers.
The OAA has made all arrangements including integrated logistical preparations and stands equipped to the highest standards to welcome the massive crowds that fill the association every year to witness this global event, which has solidified Oman’s position as a regional and international hub for motorsports.
With intense twin drift battles, skilled drivers, and a large international presence, the Oman International Drift Championship 2026 promises to be one of the most exciting motorsport events of the season.
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