Nasser Alharbali Urias topped qualifying for the 2025 FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup in his Nissan S13, ending up half a degree forward of Kuba Przygoński on the finish of an enthralling opening day’s motion on the Bikernieki circuit in Riga
The primary day of aggressive FIA IDC motion since 2021 – additionally held at Bikernieki and organised by the Latvian Vehicle Federation – decided the highest 32 qualifiers for Saturday’s particular person aspect of the occasion, with huge names reminiscent of Daniel Brandner and Lwi Edwards failing to make the lower.
Judged on three essential components – line, model and angle – solely 5 drivers scored over 90 factors on the finish of two qualifying runs. El Salvadoran driver Alharbali Urias ended the day with the best rating (95 factors) after the primary run whereas Przygoński (Toyota GR86) edged out his rival within the second to attain 94.5 factors.
Simply behind Przygoński within the qualifying standings was fellow Polish driver Paweł Korpuliński in his Nissan 200SX, placing collectively two constant runs to complete the day with 93.5 factors.
The perfect of the Latvian drivers was Daniels Baumanis (BMW E46) in fourth whereas Nikolass Bertāns was tenth after his finest run scored 85.5 factors.
Frederik Strelkov secured fifth within the day one classification courtesy of a powerful second run, one place forward of Ole Peter Vatn, however the greatest restoration drive got here from Timur Lypskyi who made it via to the ultimate 32 after scoring zero factors in his first run.
The Ukranian driver struggled firstly of his run and was deemed to not have completed sideways on the finish, leaving him with work to do within the second run. Come the afternoon, Lypskyi discovered his groove and delivered a much-improved efficiency to take his place within the particular person finals on Saturday.
It was an analogous story for former Drift Japan champion Hokuto Matsuyama, who had a scrappy opening run in his Toyota A90 Supra, earlier than bouncing again within the second run. Regardless of a greater run within the afternoon, the skilled Japanese driver solely simply snuck into the highest 32, putting thirty first with 63 factors.
Spannish driver Rubén Bolańos suffered a suspected oil leak earlier than the beginning of his first run on his BMW E46, additionally scoring zero factors. He made it via to the highest 32 with a powerful second run, nevertheless, putting him thirteenth within the intermediate classification.
Of these to overlook the lower, three drivers failed to attain a degree. Farrukh Urunov (Toyota GT86), Vladimir Codreanu (BMW E30) and Artur Havrylenko (Toyota GT86) have been left to rue missed possibilities.
Saturday’s motion begins at 10:00 native time with Tandem follow for the FIA IDC High 32 subject, whereby two automobiles per run will full a chase and lead format. The High 32 Tandems are scheduled to happen from 13:30 and will likely be livestreamed on the official FIA IDC YouTube channel.
