WATCH | Drifting in the wet – SA’s new 2022 Red Bull Car Park Drift champ heads to World Finals

  • SA has a new car park drift champion, and he drives a Mustang.
  • Inclement weather pushed competitors to the limit of adhesion.
  • The winner will now head to Saudi Arabia to represent SA in the World Finals.
  • For motoring news, go to Wheels24

South Africa’s leading drifting racing drivers recently gathered at the Suncoast Casino in Durban to crown the 2022 Red Bull Car Park Drift champion. This year, Johannesburg-based drifter Jason Webb walked away as the victor, despite challenging conditions.

Torrential rain meant that Webb had to drive his custom-built convertible Ford Mustang drift car with a makeshift cardboard roof. “Today was tough, especially driving a convertible in the rain. The team and I had to make a plan to keep dry by cutting out a piece of cardboard for the roof to keep out the rain. It was also a mental game. Going up against those guys in the last round meant I needed to go the extra mile and not make any mistakes,” says Webb.

Jason Webb

Jason Webb

Tough competition

Webb fought valiantly throughout the event to emerge victorious ahead of last year’s winner Jim McFarlane. He also managed to keep fan favourite, Yaseen Damon at bay. The final came down to McFarlane, Durban hero Joey Govender and Mathys Naude.

Mathys Naude

Mathys Naude

The competition kicked off on Friday, April 8 and saw drivers from all over the country showcase their best drifting skills to earn a spot in the finals on Saturday afternoon. Among the top 20 to make it into Saturday’s final were the father and son duo of Paulo Gouviea Snr and Paulo Gouviea.

Yaseen Damon

Yaseen Damon

READ: SA drift champ Jim McFarlane set for Egypt World Finals, but on the ‘wrong’ side of the car

This year’s tournament had a live audience for the first time. Durbanites were treated to tyre-screeching action while their favourite drifters were tested both mentally and physically on the course while having to impress the panel of judges. This year, returning as part of the judging panel was world-renowned motorsport champion and Guinness Record holder Abdo Feghali, who also thrilled the audience with his drifting skills as he carved the course in a BMW M2.

Abdo Feghali

Abdo Feghali

SA drifters rise

Feghali was impressed by the growth in the competitors since last year’s event: “Even though there have been no other drifting events for them to train, it was great to see how much the drifters improved since our first edition, especially in this weather. I was happy to see Jason win. We saw that spark in him last year, and with all the experience he has now, with the right package and the right car, he will do South Africa proud at the Red Bull Car Park Drift World Final in Saudi Arabia later this year.”