This weekend, the Yas Marina Circuit will host one of the biggest drift events to ever hit in the UAE as a brand new global motorsport championship, Drift All Stars, comes to the Middle East for the first time.
Everready to jump recklessly into front seat of something fast, Esquire Middle East picked the brains of UAE racer Ahmad Daham, about how to drift like a pro… and then gave it a go:
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Peace in chaos
“You need to be calm. Some people are calm, some people aren’t; they breath harder and are a little bit unfocused. Yes, there is a lot going on, but you can’t deal with it if you’re tense and nervous.”
Play footsies
“You have to have a good balance with your feet. What helps me is that I can do half throttle inside the drift which a lot of people can’t. You have to have a very sensitive right foot to be able to balance the throttle while the car is moving around.”
Get seat time
“Practice. The more you can do, the better. The most important thing is getting used to the car and knowing what it can do. I can get in to any car and drive well, but when you’re used to a certain car, that’s a different level.”
Get a fast car
“If you can’t keep up, you’re going to be left behind. You need to get comfortable at all levels, but this top level. My car has 950 horsepower, so it’s like driving a drag car – but we’re going sideways. So you’re in control but out of control.”
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Drift All Stars takes place at Yas Marina Circuit April 8 and 9. Gates open at 4pm. Dhs 60. For more visit drift-allstars.com
