From October 2 to 5, drivers from forty-two nations will gather in Riga, Latvia, for the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup. Khalifa will not only be the first Emirati to take part in the competition but also one of the youngest contenders. Carrying the pride of his nation, he is determined to showcase the UAE’s talent …
At just 17 years old, Emirati drifting prodigy Khalifa Al Falasi is preparing to bring the UAE flag to the international motorsport arena. In October, he will compete at the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup, poised to become one of the youngest and highest-profile representatives from the Emirates on this stage.
Khalifa’s passion for drifting began when he was a child. Accompanying his father to motorsport events from the age of five, he developed a deep love for the thrill of high-speed racing. By 2022, at only fourteen, he had joined Prodrift Academy, where he received professional training to refine his skills. His official debut came in January 2023 at the Emirates Drift Championship, where he braved a rain-soaked track in his very first competitive outing. The experience tested his abilities but also strengthened his determination to grow as a driver.
Since then, Khalifa has continued to build his reputation across the UAE and the region, competing in Oman, Qatar and in high-profile events such as the Red Bull Car Park Drift. One of his proudest achievements was becoming the top-ranked Emirati driver at Yas Marina Circuit during the Emirates Drift Championship, a milestone that solidified his place as a rising star in the country’s motorsport scene.
Behind the wheel, Khalifa drives a powerful Nissan Silvia S13, modified with an LS3 V8 turbo engine that produces over 700 horsepower. Built to FIA technical and safety standards, the car gives him the edge he needs to compete against some of the best drifters in the world.
From October 2 to 5, drivers from forty-two nations will gather in Riga, Latvia, for the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup. Khalifa will not only be the first Emirati to take part in the competition but also one of the youngest contenders. Carrying the pride of his nation, he is determined to showcase the UAE’s talent on this global stage.
Khalifa credits much of his success to the unwavering support of his father, the Emirates Motorsports Organization and the UAE Talent and Sports Support programme. He also acknowledges the commitment of the UAE government, which has created world-class tracks and training facilities that allow young athletes like him to pursue their ambitions. His journey reflects a growing motorsport culture in the Emirates, inspiring a new generation of racers to follow in his footsteps.
In his words, the dream begins early. With many academies in the UAE accepting students from the age of thirteen, Khalifa believes young drivers should take the chance to learn, train and one day represent their country on the world stage. For him, drifting is not just a sport but a way to put the UAE on the global motorsport map and to inspire others to dream big.
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