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- South African drift fanatics are in for a treat as Red Bull Car Park Drift returns to Durban.
- Spectators will be allowed this year, so get ready to buy tickets, on sale in March.
- Event winner will represent South Africa at the World Finals later this year.
- For motoring news, go to Wheels24
In 2021, Red Bull Car Park Drift made its way to South African shores for the first time. To mark its first event, Guinness World Record holder and renowned drift judge Abdo Feghali was sliding a Nissan 350Z through the streets of Durban and some of its most famous landmarks in a special clip that celebrates the city titled 'Durban Drift'.
The country's top drifters will again come together in Durban to face off in the Red Bull Car Park Drift South Africa National Qualifier. The event will occur at Suncoast Hotel and Casino on 9 April 2022.
Rising interest in drifting
Drifting is one of motorsport's most exciting and fastest-growing disciplines, demanding the perfect balance of speed, style, and fearlessness from its drivers. The aim is to set the car into a sideways drift through a corner by intentionally oversteering to initiate the controlled loss of traction.
In South Africa, the sport as we know it today goes back to around 2004 with pioneer drifters such as Faheem Salie and DJ and TV host Ready D - they kicked off the drifting scene in Cape Town with the Nissan 200SX S13, which resembled Japanese styled drift cars. The crew was known as 'The Drift Squad' and were mainstays in various parking lots around Cape Town.
READ | SA drift champ Jim McFarlane set for Egypt World Finals, but on the 'wrong' side of the car
Ready D is excited to finally have a tournament as prestigious as Red Bull Car Park Drift return to South Africa to shine a light on the talent the country has to offer.
"Having this event come to South Africa is a huge occasion for drifters and high adrenalin motorsport fans", says Ready D. "I hope it will continue to grow locally and that we can eventually have the event hosted in Cape Town."
A chance to represent SA
Participants from all over South Africa will descend upon Suncoast Hotel and Casino and be put through their paces until the top 16 are selected to go head-to-head on 09 April, where the 2022 national winner will be crowned. This person will fly the SA flag high at the Red Bull Drift World Finals in Saudi Arabia later in the year.
This year Durbanites will be able to get in on the tyre-screeching action live as spectators are invited. Tickets will go on sale in March, and you are advised to keep an eye on the Red Bull South Africa social media pages for more information on ticket prices.
Last year Johannesburg's Jim McFarlane walked away as the national champion and went on to represent South Africa in the world final held in Cairo, Egypt: "2021 was an incredible experience for me. A tournament like Red Bull Car Park Drift is unprecedented in the country and allows the sport of drifting to grow."
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