Basra Speed Racing Club hosts third season of drag race championship

BASRA — The Basra Speed Racing Club hosted the third season of the Drag Race Championship, featuring 85 cars from across Iraq in a 400-meter sprint. Participants competed in four categories, with some racers spending up to $10,000 on vehicle modifications.

“This season’s Drag Race Basra includes participants from all Iraqi governorates, as well as international competitors from Oman, Britain, Germany, and Canada,” said Saif al-Maliki, president of the Basra Speed Racing Club, in an interview with 964media.

Al-Maliki credited local government support for securing official approvals to host the event. “With the help of the local government, we’ve reached this stage and obtained all necessary approvals to organize the event. This season is highly organized, and we’ve successfully separated the audience from the racers for safety,” he added. He also expressed hope for an official race track and a dedicated venue for young talent in the future.

The 85 competing vehicles were divided into four categories—6-cylinder, 8-cylinder, 2WD boosted, and 4WD boosted—with the top three winners in each class taking honors.

“This is an important event for motorsports enthusiasts,” said Jaafar al-Hajjaj, head of the Youth and Sports Committee in the Basra Council. “The level of organization is very high, and the turnout is impressive. We appreciate everyone involved in making this event a success.”

Racers from across Iraq took part in the competition, many driving highly modified vehicles. Muammal Tawfiq, a racer from Mosul, shared his excitement about competing in Basra. “I entered this race with my [Ford] Mustang, which has been modified with headers, a short intake, and weight reduction. I raced against a [Chevrolet] Camaro, and I’m waiting for the results,” Tawfiq said. He compared Basra’s track favorably to Erbil’s. “Before discussing vehicle specs, what motivates us to compete is having a good racing track. Basra’s track is better than Drag Erbil.”

For some, racing is both a passion and a profession. Ali Himi, a racer from Basra and owner of an automotive parts and modification garage, competed with his Chevrolet Holden SS, powered by a 6.2L engine and manual transmission. “My car is built specifically for this track, and in this race, we cover 400 meters. The fastest car to complete the distance in the shortest time wins,” Himi said, adding that no competitor had yet beaten his car. “So far, no participating car has been able to defeat mine.”

Many racers invest heavily in their vehicles. “I spent $10,000 on modifications,” Himi said. “This sport is growing fast, and many people are passionate about it.”