ABU DHABI // To the unsuspecting passer-by, the action along the Corniche tonight will look like the world's worst drivers have been let loose.
But to thousands of petrol-heads, the Red Bull Car Park Drift competition is stunt driving at its best.
In a controlled environment, 25 local drivers will be seen and heard as they screech their tyres, each trying to go into a more impressive skid than the others.
The winner will be crowned King of Drift and will put his skills to the test at the regional final in Beirut.
Organisers expect about 3,000 fans to attend this weekend.
Abdo Feghali, a rally champion and Red Bull drift driver, will be one of the judges.
"We all know the participants in the UAE always have the best cars and they've always been drifting," Feghali said.
UAE drivers have some of the best practice facilities in the region at their disposal. "They are also practising at either Yas Marina Circuit or in Al Ain," Feghali said.
"There are some awesome drivers and there will be a good battle between five good drifters."
Julien Najib Trad, 24, said he expected be a top contender at the event, which begins at 7pm.
The Lebanese media executive said he thought he had a chance of winning, especially after putting new tyres on his BMW M3 this week. He goes through a set of tyres every two to three months, at a cost of Dh3,600.
"It's my hobby. I like everything with adrenalin," Mr Trad said, adding skydiving also makes his list. "Everything that gives me a rush, I do it."
He learnt how to drift in Lebanon but said he had not practised as much as he would have liked since he moved to the UAE eight months ago.
"In Lebanon I had a Peugeot and as a result I was strong with front-wheel cars," Mr Trad said. "Now that I have a rear-wheel I have a lot of practice to do, but still, I am good enough."
Drivers will have to navigate around cones in the car park, "drifting sideways all the time, swinging from the right side to the left side using the handbrake with, as they say, the pedal to the metal", Feghali said.
"To control the drift, it is the chemistry between the steering wheel and the throttle. At the same time apply the power just to move the weight distribution."
Most cars competing tonight will be modified rear-wheel cars and the judges will be watching for the use of the handbrake, and those who turn the best and most accurately.
Extra points are awarded for roaring engines and the car's appearance. Smoke produced by the friction of the tyres will also gain extra points.
Ahmad Al Ameri, the defending champion, will be among those taking to the course near Spinneys.
"The competition is going to be harder than last year but I am not going to lose the title," Mr Al Ameri said.
On Wednesday, he qualified in Al Ain for tonight in his Lexus SC300. He has spent nearly Dh200,000 on modifications, which include reducing the weight from 1.7 to 1.475 tonnes since last year.
"For drifting you need car balance and proper weight," he said. "If it's too much you are drifting with too much weight and you can't go for high-speed drifting."
Mr Al Ameri also installed a custom-built HKS engine with horsepower akin to that in a high-end sports car.
"I want to represent the UAE in drifting and drift is my life," he said.
The Emirati said he wanted to see more youngsters drifting in a controlled environment.
"I want to teach the young guys to do this type of sport in the right place, and not on the street and not with 4x4s," Mr Al Ameri said.
"There's Yas Marina Circuit and there are lots of motorsports clubs. We have the safe and right places to do it."
