Doha, Qatar – The third round of the Qatar Drift Championship concluded at the Qatar Racing Club (QRC) circuit, drawing a large audience and showcasing intense competition among elite drivers from Qatar, the GCC region, and beyond. Ahmed Al-Amri secured his second victory of the season, solidifying his position as a frontrunner in the championship. The event, held over two days, featured both qualifying rounds and head-to-head battles, highlighting the skill and precision of motorsports drifting.
The championship operates under the patronage of Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the QRC, demonstrating the country’s commitment to fostering motorsports talent and providing a platform for regional competition. This round saw a mix of seasoned professionals and emerging drivers vying for top honors and valuable championship points.
Qatar Drift Championship: Al-Amri Dominates Third Round
Qualifying rounds set the stage for the competitive battles to come. Riyadh Al-Mabsali initially posted the highest score with 88.67 points, earning the top qualifying position. However, Ahmed Al-Amri, currently leading the overall championship standings, secured second place, positioning himself strongly for the elimination rounds. Mohammed Al-Jaber rounded out the top three in qualifying.
The local category qualifying saw Mohammed Al-Jaber take the lead, followed by Yasser Mustafa and Yazan Jabsha. This strong showing from local drivers underscored the growing depth of drifting talent within Qatar. The competition is a key element in developing local expertise in motorsports.
Early Battles and Surprises
The first round of eliminations featured eight races, with several notable outcomes. Al-Mabsali defeated Fahad Al-Jadaie, who was making his championship debut, while Mohammed Khurshid overcame Mohammed Al-Azmi. A surprising result saw Mesyar Abu Shaiba advance after defeating two-time local category champion Abdullah Al-Muhtasib.
Technical difficulties impacted some drivers, with Yasser Al-Shatir unable to compete in his scheduled match against Yazan Jabsha, allowing Jabsha to automatically progress. Meanwhile, Ahmed Al-Amri defeated Ahmed Jaber, and last season’s champion, Ali Makhseed, advanced after a win against Mazen Nasser. A local showdown between Mohammed Al-Jaber and Khaled Al-Shafie resulted in a victory for Al-Jaber, and Salem Al-Sarraf defeated Bkhaiet Al-Hajri to complete the second-round lineup.
Following the second round, Mohammed Al-Jaber was crowned the local category champion, achieving a perfect score throughout the qualifying and elimination stages. Yazan Jabsha finished as the runner-up in the local category, demonstrating consistent performance. This local success is a positive sign for the future of motorsports in Qatar.
Championship Contenders Advance
The second round saw Riyadh Al-Mabsali and Mesyar Abu Shaiba qualify for the first semifinal. In a separate, highly competitive battle, Ahmed Al-Amri secured his place in the second semifinal, defeating Ali Makhseed. The intensity of these matches highlighted the increasing skill level of the competitors.
Abu Shaiba ultimately prevailed in the first semifinal against Al-Mabsali. The second semifinal saw a hard-fought victory for Al-Amri against Mohammed Al-Jaber. This set up a final showdown between Al-Amri and Abu Shaiba.
Ahmed Al-Amri claimed victory in the final, marking his second win of the season and further solidifying his lead in the overall championship standings. Mesyar Abu Shaiba finished as the runner-up, delivering a strong performance throughout the event. The event showcased the growing popularity of drifting as a competitive automotive sport.
The fourth round of the Qatar Drift Championship is scheduled to take place in March 2026. Organizers will likely focus on attracting further international participation and enhancing the event’s overall infrastructure. The championship’s continued success will depend on securing sponsorships and maintaining a high level of competition and safety.
