Drifting has been a part of the FIA Motorsport Games since the inaugural edition in 2019 and once again promises to be a fiercely contested discipline at this year’s event in Spain. Indeed, a field of 33 nations will compete for gold when the action gets underway in Valencia, establishing a new record number of Drifting entries.
While it forms part of the Circuit category, Drifting fundamentally differs from GT, Touring Car and Formula 4. Rather than racing, time is not the decider, and entrants compete to impress a panel of three judges who consider the angle of drift, line, and style, adding scores from these criteria for a maximum of 100 points in qualifying.
In the tandem battles – including the gold medal match-up – each driver will be in the leading vehicle for one run and in the chasing vehicle for the other. The leading driver’s objective is to replicate a perfect qualifying run, while the chasing driver must do their best to mirror the leader’s run while remaining as close as possible.
Regarded as one of the most accessible forms of motorsport, Drifting gained official recognition from the FIA in 2017, with the FIA Drifting Commission established the following year.
A purpose-built drifting track will be used at this year’s FIA Motorsport Games, located adjacent to the main Circuit Ricardo Tormo, allowing Drifting and the other Circuit disciplines to co-occur.
The entry list is diverse, with participants from Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East and South America set to feature at the 2024 edition. In terms of machinery, BMW is by far the most popular choice. More than 20 drivers have put their faith in the Bavarian manufacturer, particularly the M3 and E46 models. Japanese brands Toyota, Nissan and Mazda also will feature at Valencia.
Both of the discipline’s previous gold medallists are on the entry list, with Ukraine represented by Dmitriy Illyuk, who secured top spot for his nation at the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games in 2019. He will drive the Scion FR-S, a model jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru.
Latvia will defend its gold from 2022 with Kristaps Blušs at the wheel of a BMW E92 Eurofighter featuring an HGK Motorsport body kit.
The successor to the FR-S is the Toyota GR86, which Japan and Poland will use. Koji Tada represents the former, while 2022 bronze medalist Jakub Przygoński returns to chase more success for the latter.
Toyota is also the machine of choice for Mozambique, competing with Zanil Satar at the wheel of a GR86, while Norway’s Simen Olsen will go for gold in a GR Supra.
There will be five examples of Nissan machinery in the Drifting discipline. Hazaa Alhosani will represent the United Arab Emirates, while Sweden’s hopeful is Joakim Andersson, all three driving variations of the S14 model.
Nasser Alharbali Urias will look to earn gold for El Salvador, Mathias Locatelli is the French nominee, and Jan Eric Ayrton Seeber carries the German colours. Italy is the only nation to use a Mazda, with Luca Fuschini placing his faith in the RX7 FC.
The remainder of the field will go for gold with various BMW models. Lwi Edwards will drift for the United Kingdom at the wheel of a BMW E36 Coupe. The 22-year-old from Wrexham in North Wales won the MSUK Drift Pro Championship in 2023 and is set on more success in Spain.
Czechia won the Silver medal in 2019 and will hope to go one better this year with Zdeněk Kadeřábek driving an M2. The experienced Mevlud Meladze will represent Georgia, reprising his role in 2019, while Denmark will rely on national champion Mads Benjamin Andreasen.
Brazil and Argentina will both be on the grid, represented by Rafael Marinho and Rodrigo Gallo respectively. Kosovo is set for its second participation at the FIA Motorsport Games and its first in the Drifting discipline with Dijon Kajtazi, while Kevin Pesur will chase gold for Estonia, as he did at the 2022 edition.
Israel will call upon Itay Sadeh, who at just 18 years old will be the youngest Drifting contender. At the other end of the spectrum, 64-year-old Pieter Van Hoorick will carry the Belgian flag into battle at his second FIA Motorsport Games. Neighbouring countries Luxembourg and the Netherlands will also be in Valencia, represented by Rohan van Riel and Bas Mul, respectively.
Lebanon will count on Mohamad Chehab, while Uzbekistan has chosen Dilshod Yusupov as its Drifting driver. João Vieira will once again represent Portugal, while Abdul Kairm Jahan is the Swiss drifter. Multiple Lithuanian champion Andrius Vasiliauskas will represent his homeland, while Turkiye (Berfu Tutumlu), Hungary (Rober Petri) and Greece (Christos Chantzaras) also have dreams of Drifting gold.
Finally, the host nation. For its assault, Spain has put its faith in Ruben Bolaños Lopez. The 34-year-old will take the wheel of a BMW E46 as he seeks to secure his country’s first-ever Drifting medal at the FIA Motorsport Games. He and his rivals will begin their preparations with three Free Practice sessions, two on Friday and another on Saturday. Qualifying will be staged from 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, Tandem Practice is scheduled for 10:30, while the Top 32 and Final begins at 14:15.
