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Arab desert drifting and ‘the great national boredom’

On remote stretches of highway in the Arabian desert a unique form of drifting is claiming a spot in the world of motorsport. Unlike most drifting events, there’s no winding circuit to complete and the judges aren’t looking for speed or technical precision. Instead, it’s more of a freestyle display of machismo with modified SUVs taking the place of the low, nimble sedans used elsewhere. All of this is in part to do with tufush: a ‘great national boredom’ which plagues the youth in some UAE countries – it consists of a lack of opportunities in a strict society with a healthy supply of testosterone and free time.

A member of the Execution group drifting in Umm Al Quwain, UAE.

Jebel Jais mountain road in Ras Al Khaimah climbs the highest peak in the Hajar Mountains on the border of the UAE and Oman.

Mechanics at garage in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE modify SUVs for drifting



It’s based on something called “Hajwalah” in which thrill-seeking young men would reach high speeds on public roads and then spin seemingly out of control, oftentimes weaving through traffic.

Drivers take turns showing off their vehicle’s power with points won for various types of showmanship: burning the furthest through a set of tires, spinning the most rotations, displaying the most apparent recklessness, inciting the loudest cheers from the crowd.

Spectators look on as rubber smoke rises from the track at the Emirates Motorplex where regular competitions are held.

Cars line up on the side of a drifting meet in Umm Al Quwain, UAE. The decal reads “disaster,” the name of a crew of drivers.

A car from the Execution driving crew parked outside of a garage in Abu Dhabi.

Ahmed AlMarzouqi and his brother Eisa stop at an old airfield near a drifting meet in Umm Al Quwain, UAE. Ahmed is a prominent videographer for the community under the name Youke3.

It’s based on something called “Hajwalah” in which thrill-seeking young men would reach high speeds on public roads and then spin seemingly out of control, oftentimes weaving through traffic. Traffic accidents were, for a time, among the leading causes of death in some gulf countries. In recent years, local governments have enforced new road safety campaigns and authorities who were once lenient are cracking down to clear the streets of these reckless drivers.

Onlookers watch a drifter cornering on a public street in Dubai.

A member of the “Disaster” group burns his tire down to the metal rim sending sparks as it meets the pavement.

Rubber smoke fills the air at a contest in Umm Al Quwain, UAE.

A drifter takes his turn on the track in Umm Al Quwain

As a result, the sport has largely moved off of public roads and onto private strips of asphalt tucked away in more rural parts of the desert.  There, free from the threat of prosecution, Hajwalah is taking on more formal structure. I visited one such community in the United Arab Emirates making that transition and drawing big crowds.

Traffic accidents were, for a time, among the leading causes of death in some gulf countries.


A driver takes a run at the Emirates Motorplex, a large stretch of pavement where contests are regularly held.

A turbocharged Nissan Patrol, a favorite among SUV tuners in the UAE is taken out for a road test at Underground Performance Garage in Dubai

Champions Speed garage in Dubai where SUVs are tuned for drifting

A car on the Bazooka team on a stretch of asphalt in Umm Al Quwain.

Two men cross a street marked by drifters’ tires.


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