You may not realize it, but there is a huge car scene in the Middle East, and it’s growing by leaps and bounds, especially in Saudi Arabia. There is great affection in the region for American muscle cars among the wealthy and working class. The car scene is so big in Riyadh that we’re actually working on a feature story that will run at a later date.
For now, our friend Ahmed Khader has sent us his latest video, a series called Wrench Time. Khader has become a close friend of StangTV, and we talk with him often for both updates on what’s happening in his corner of the world, and sometimes exchanging tips and ideas on project cars.
Khader is currently transforming his New Edge Mustang GT into a road race and drift car. After years of drag racing it, he’s decided to take on corner carving. The car currently has a set of Trick Flow heads, as well as intake manifold, and camshaft upgrades. Getting these parts was shipped to him was an ordeal that could take up an entire story, so we won’t get into that right now. Presently the car is getting a transmission swap, as well as some suspension upgrades to get it ready for corner carving rather than straight-line performance.
Khader also takes some time to show off the car that is known in Riyadh as the “Time Machine”. This GT500 wears a Kenne Bell blower, and is known on the streets as one of the fastest cars in the region.
You’ll hear Khader talk about “going legit” in this video as well. He’s a huge proponent of Dirab Motorsports Park, one of the only places in Saudi Arabia, let alone the entire Middle East region for drag racing, and other forms of motorsports. Khader is encouraging his friends to race at the track, rather than the streets in the name of safety and obeying the law.
The video is an fast and fascinating look at car guys, who could just as easily be gathered in a garage somewhere in the USA as they are at the Torque Speed performance shop in Riyadh. Aftermarket performance is still fairly new to these guys as well, so the video perspective is shot for those new to the performance realm.