Formula DRIFT is expanding everyday it seems like and the latest installment is Qatar in the Middle East…Get ready because here comes your Qatar Heroes….
We were just in Abu Dhabi a few weeks ago and back at it for another long flight but lasting memories, here ya go SEND IT!
Prior to leaving for Qatar I was in LA for XDC which I’ll have a blog up on after this…
Emirates airlines at LAX…
Whole row to myself for 16 hours!
Flying over the North Pole…
Crazy
Dan can’t get enough air in his diet…
Emirates makes it real romantic…
Have no idea where this is but deep…
Saw this in Top Gear magazine… ironic people always ask me where is Qatar…
Dubai layover for an hour for an hour flight from Dubai to Qatar…
Bathroom stalls in the US are way more vulger, this is just a history lesson…
Respect…
Oh what Doha…
Of course my trusty INCIPIO protected iPod and Blackberry Bold kept me company on the whole trip…
Ok then…
No, you can’t not have my spare change, oh sorry Andy its been a while… since you shaved!
Dai, Ryan Sage and the Qatar Racing Club (QRC) gentlemen talking to the press about the historic event!
Yes that’s a gang of camels!
Here’s the ticket for the event…
So we head to the track where a FLEET of off road SUV’s incl Lexus, Toyota & Land Cruisers pick us up and we’re DUNE bound for about an hour…
Random in the middle of the desert…
Camel crossing…
Refinery…
Everybody getting briefed…
I love FJ’s, now seeing one in serious action I have even more respect!
This thing ripped too, capable little machine for real!
Here’s our driver Mohammed, Sergio riding shotgun, Kevin Wells Chris Forsbergs crew and myself bombed in the Lexus SUV, rad!
Here’s a small video of us and others getting down in the dunes…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeW1BtyjnH0[/youtube]
Let’s just say some drivers got a little more nuts than other but all ways ok…
Except Myles dome piece….
Chris Forsberg getting kitted out for the sandstorm we were hit wit…
Andy profiling his whip…
This brand new Nissan what looks like a brand new Infiniti QX56 was getting it!
Mega steep dune hills, blast!
We arrive to our resort area…
Awesome hospitality from the QRC guys, catered apps, lunch and snacks!
Tengku Djan and his lovely bride Shan…
The camel and I…
Charge in a rhino…
Ripping in the desert of Qatar in a Rhino! Rad!
My kiwi bro, Mad Mike and his lady Toni, brraaapppp!
Hey Persian Gulf whats up?
Hello EVERYBODY… My co-host and friend Ryan Sage and I…
Our local putting up tents, jk it’s Andy…
New found RESPECT for LandCrusiers and thier Lexus counterpart, so sick!
Sandstorm aint gonna slow us down!
Qatar Racing Club drag tower…
Of course a Flying Spur is out front…
Hooked up “Square” Blair with a new Incipio Kickstand Premium for his iPad…
One of the fastest 1/4 mile dragstrips in the world…
Forsberg’s NOS Energy Drink 350Z, you might have already heard a new car is in the works…
This MBZ C clas would hit the drift track too…
Whatya thinkin bout?
Drivers 7 crew getting the track set up…
We seriously had food at ALL times, thanks to QRC, great hosts!
BEARD LIFE SON!
Serg versus the NEW Nos Energy Drink flavor… CHARGED CITRUS
Seriously one of the only real down sides to Qatar is alcohol is REALLY hard to come up on…
Here’s some of us at a bar in a Western Hotel, Blair, Andy, Forsberg, TAngelo, Djan, Kiki, Essa…My shoes…
The Souq market…
Lets hit the market…
Sage & Dai…
Sick right, looks like a Univesal Studios backlot…
One of the sickest store not only in here but IVE EVER SEEN!
Olympic torches…
Crazy collectibles…
State of Qatar flag…
BIGGER!
The pet zone of it all…
Making fresh naan bread…
Here’s a video of it, rad….
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0EqKjKG4jc[/youtube]
Hey looks it’s Mr Drift Party Matt Powers…
Real deal rug store…
That’s one HUGE sandal…
Essa doing it up…
I felt compelled to wear the local garb, 60 Riyals for my kit…
Thobe is the shirt gown and Ghutra is the head piece…
In respect of what made Qatar money in the old days, or our tour guide said “Big Ass pearl”…
HUGE Motivational posters in sculpture form… respect…
Rad architecture…
We could wear these everyday and should… Just need a camo one…
Chabin looks official..
Lunch at a solid place called Saffron, amazing food!
Again QRC were AMAZING hosts!!!!!!!
Myself and Thailand’s own Kiki Sak Nana…
Tony B rocking my SEND IT Octopus, thanks Tony!!!!
The last we’d see Chris Forsbergs 350Z on track as his engine would pop, but he would join me in the tower for some drivers insight pretty effective…
Our hotel….
Token of thanks to the Sheikh Khalid for having us…
Saw this in the paddock area walls, pretty cool…
drivers meeting…
More food!
The Beav, Sage and Tommy…
Aasbo puting it down in his NEED FOR SPEED Supra, last time before GAME TIME in his NFS Scion tC at round 1 of FD, this is one of only action pics, figure theres tons of coverage via DRIFTSTREAM, Formula Drift official coverage and more…
Also, while actions going on I’m working and MC’ing my butt off…
Sunset in Qatar…
Half time show with the 2 wheeled driving, so rad!
No stunts or tricks just skilled driving
Had to get a coffee while at QRC these things were awesome I had probably like 8 while I was there for 3 days…
Peep the VVIP lounge chairs and all the locals in their garb so rad (I’m saying rad alot, oh well rad!)
Burnout til they blow up?!?!
Congrats fellas…
Fireworks for the finale…
Goldenchild and I…
Let’s hit the bar…
Let’s just say this is last call and the rest is history…
Back to that naan spot for lunch at the souq…
This looks like a streetwear ad but this aint Melrose or Fairfax, this is Qatar…
To the BEACH!
My NATIVE Shoes were solid the whole trip…
Chillin at Kataria beach…
Looks like a scene from The Hangover 3…
Some peeps went sailing…
Good times…
Electrics shading INCIPIO protecting…
More Indian food at Saffron, ad to re-visit this place…
Downtown Doha…
Wheel to wheel action…
Wait do I spy, jeans and sandals?!?!
I’ve held numerous trophies over the years as they go through my hands to the Formula Drift and other pro drivers but NEVER have I been able to take one home!!! UNTIL NOW!!!!!
This was a token of appreciation from QRC and I couldnt be more humbled, super stoked and blessed for all the opportunities been given to me over the past 8 years or so…
Thanks to Formula DRIFT, QRC and the whole community of drivers, crew, fans etc. this means more to me than you know…
Lets head home buddy…
That’s the crossing sign, we’re not in Kansas anymore but bout to be in Arizona in 24+ hours… Peace out Qatar
Layover in Dubai, peep the Starbucks…
One of the best plane meals I’ve ever had, was really good!
I leave you with this… I collect police and military badges from other countries heres one that was GIVEN to me, not taken or bought…
Qatar Police… Thanks everybody. RESPECT!
Qatar Hero!
