MUSCAT, OMAN – Jordan’s Ahmed Daham drew first blood in the 2026 Oman International Drift Championship (OIDC), winning the season opener at the Oman Automobile Association’s Muscat Drift Arena on 15–16 January.
Ireland’s Tommy Kiely finished second in the international class and his compatriot Jack Shanahan completed the podium, setting up an Irish challenge that would shape the rest of the season.
Round 1 results
- International: 1. Ahmed Daham (Jordan), 2. Tommy Kiely (Ireland), 3. Jack Shanahan (Ireland)
- MENA: 1. Ahmed Daham, 2. Ahmed Al-Amri (Oman), 3. Khalifa Alfalasi (UAE)
- National: 1. Ahmed Al-Amri, 2. Tariq Al-Shaihani, 3. Ali Al-Balushi
A packed arena and a world first
More than 50 drivers from over 20 countries took part, with qualifying on Thursday and Twin Drift battles running from the Top 32 down to the final on Friday. Former champion Ali Makhseed of Kuwait fell early, beaten by Kiely in the Top 32, while three Omanis — Al-Amri, Al-Balushi and Al-Shaihani — made the cut for the knockout stages.
The opener also made headlines beyond drifting: a winged aircraft landed inside the drift arena during the event, a stunt the organisers described as a first in motorsport, in front of a completely sold-out crowd.
Held under the patronage of Azzan bin Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the round ran as part of the Muscat Nights 2026 festival, with Shell as main sponsor. Round 2 followed at the same venue at the end of January.
Photo: Oman Observer
Sources: Times of Oman, Oman Observer, Oman News Agency, Oman Automobile Association