The evening calm of the Sakhir desert will once again be drowned out by the roars of powerful engines and the cries of shrieking tyres, as Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’, holds a ‘Drag and Drift Night’ on Monday (January 30). The widely popular event, which has rapidly become one of the main attractions for members of the public, draws in scores of the Kingdom’s die-hard racing enthusiasts, all of whom are passionate about two of the most exciting forms of the sport. Drag racing and drifting will be taking place simultaneously at two different locations within the BIC premises. Dragsters will be powering their very own cars or motorbikes down the circuit’s world-class quarter-mile strip and pushing their challengers to the very limits with the hopes of getting the best possible times. Drifters, on the other hand, will be in action at car parks numbered five and six, and will be putting on a show of supreme car control and precision maneuvering along a specially erected drifting course. ‘Drag and Drift Night’ is open to all members of the public who are able to meet the criteria for participation. The evening’s action at the strip is scheduled to begin at 7pm and will continue until around 11pm. Prior to the start of the non-competitive runs, mandatory safety checks of each participant’s car or bike will begin at 5pm. All interested dragsters may participate in the activity for just BD5. They will also be able to bring in their friends who can watch from the Batelco Grandstand, which overlooks the entire strip from start to finish. Spectators can enter the circuit for just BD2 each. Those who are accompanying participants can also get a taste of the action. They can join in the ride and get into the passenger’s seat for an additional cost of just BD2. Meanwhile, drifters will be able to bring their very own cars and take them through a course packed with curves and sharp turns. It will be a test of each participant’s abilities to maneuver and slide their vehicles through the series of challenging bends. Registration for drifters will be done from 7pm right before the start of the event. It will be followed by a mandatory inspection and a sighting lap with officials. All vehicles must meet the basic requirements set by organisers in order to take part in the action, which will be held from 8pm up until 11pm. Only interested participants with a rear-wheel-drive car can participate in drifting. They must also possess a valid road driver’s licence and should be wearing suitable clothing. The cost to take part is BD5. Those wishing to watch the drifting from the safety of the VIP Seating Area can enter for BD5. Entry to the general spectators’ area will be free. For more information on Bahrain International Circuit’s ‘Drag and Drift Night’, visit BIC’s official website, http://www.bahraingp.com, or call the BIC Hotline on +973-17-450000.