Director of Qatar Racing Club (QRC) Sheikh Jabor bin Khalid al-Thani yesterday said preparations have been made to host spectacular Arabian Drag Racing League (ADRL) 2024 which gets underway on Thursday with the participation of top racers of the region.
Recognised as one of the world’s best drag racing championships, the ADRL being sponsored by QRC Chairman HE Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani, is returning to the QRC corridors after a three-year break. This year the ADRL, known to set numerous records for times and speeds, will be spread over five rounds to take place on Thursdays and Fridays.
The championship brings with it many new aspects, including a radical change in the competing categories to attract a larger number of participants. Most car categories have been adopted as index categories this year, requiring significant experience and exceptional tuning standards. These categories include 4.00, 4.50, and 4.80, specifically designed for competing over a distance of 1/8 mile (approximately 200m).
Similar to the Super Street Outlaw category, there are also two categories competing over a quarter-mile distance, namely the 8.50 and 9.00 index categories. As for motorcycle categories, there are three, namely Super Street Bike, Street Bike, and the 8.50 Index category.
Sheikh Jabor said after hardwork for weeks all arrangements have been made to make the new season exceptional in terms of diversified categories, strong competition and attracting a larger number of speed enthusiasts.
“Thank God, we completed 2023 within the outlined plan for our championships. Today, we have reached the biggest event in the club’s activities, which is the ADRL, returning after a 3-year hiatus. We have started working on technical aspects, such as preparing the club’s tracks to be in optimal condition, contributing to providing the most important element – a safe environment enhanced with safety factors for both participants and the audience at every event,” Sheikh Jabor said.
“We have made all the necessary arrangements within the club, especially in the pit area, to accommodate the large number of participants expected from all Gulf countries. The club always seeks to welcome Gulf, Arab, and foreign teams. In Qatar Racing Club, and in accordance with the directives of the club’s chairman, His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al -Thani, we strive to provide the suitable atmosphere for these teams, which positively reflects on the competitions,” he said.
Action-packed 2024 calendar
The QRC director said 2024 will be spectacular in many aspects.
“The current season also witnesses special attention to the audience by enhancing the accompanying activities and events. We have provided recreational areas for children and other places for families, which has raised the attendance numbers in our championships to record levels. Additionally, a new and interactive media coverage style has been adopted to engage with the audience, both those present in the stands and inside the club, as well as those following the event via live streaming on the club’s social media platforms,” he said. Sheikh Jabor said: “This year, the club will host, on the sidelines of the championship, specifically during its second round, the Qatar Custom Show in its eleventh edition. This embodies the vision of His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani, focusing on supporting youth and enthusiasts of excellence and creativity. The club’s calendar is filled with championships.”
“There is no doubt that Qatar has recently taken significant steps in the sports arena, culminating in the organisation of the largest global event, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It constantly emphasizes its commitment to hosting the maximum number of championships and testing days, balancing quantity and quality. We are working diligently at the club to achieve this equation. Therefore, we have prioritized monitoring the championships that the club traditionally organizes annually, including the Qatar Drag Racing Championship on the track and the Drift Championship,” he said.
The QRC director said the club has also increased the number of Sand Drag Racing Competition to four compared to two in the previous season.
“New this year is the Freestyle Drifting Championship, which concluded its third round a few days ago, in addition to the Roller Race and Motocross Trials for enthusiasts of this sport, with the possibility of organising exclusive championships for them in the coming seasons. We also hosted electric scooter races, considering the increasing global interest in E-sports, which has seen significant development in recent times,” he said.
“A total of QR2,450,000 in prizes will be handed in the championship. With the generous directives of His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani, the club’s chairman, and in encouragement of the participating competitors in this year’s edition, the organising committee has decided to allocate substantial money prizes to the top three winners in each of the nine championship categories. The total prize value for each round is QR350,000,” Sheikh Jabor said.
The strongest category in the current season, the Index 4.00 category, will receive the lion’s share of these prizes. The first-place winner will receive QR40,000, the second-place winner QR20,000, and the third-place winner will be awarded QR10,000. At the end of the five rounds of the championship, the leaders in the overall standings in each category will receive a commemorative shield for the season along with a valuable money prize.
Sheikh Jabor bin Khalid al-Thani
