Following the incident on March 15, 2026, at the Drift NEU Park track located on the Near East University campus, Drift NEU Racing Team Director Dr. Enver Haskasap made a clear press statement to the public. Dr. Haskasap stated that the incident was not just a violation of sports discipline, but a serious disrespect to the motorsports culture established over years of great effort and to the athletes who came to the country to compete.

THIS TRACK IS THE RESULT OF EFFORT AND SPORTS CULTURE
Emphasizing that Drift NEU Park is not just a racing area, Dr. Haskasap noted the great effort behind the track. “Not only racing is done at Drift NEU Park. This track is a sports platform that grows with the efforts of athletes, mechanical masters, teams, and organization employees. People work and put in effort here on race days. Not only tires turn on this track, but sweat also turns.”

BRINGING INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES REQUIRES GREAT EFFORT
Dr. Haskasap expressed that as Drift NEU Park, they have been working for years to grow motorsports and promote the track through international organizations, stating that athletes from different countries participate in these organizations. “We have been exerting serious effort for a long time to develop motorsports, contribute to sports tourism, and introduce Drift NEU Park to the international sports community. The participation of athletes from different countries on this track is of great importance for our visibility in the field of sports. Therefore, the incident is a behavior that harms not only Drift NEU Park but also the image of our country.”

DISRESPECT TO OUR GUEST ATHLETES IS UNACCEPTABLE
Dr. Enver Haskasap reminded that Dutch athletes Rone Zwanenburg and Seger Zwanenburg were guests of Drift NEU and stated that they stand by the athletes. “Rone and Seger Zwanenburg, who came to our country to compete, are our guests. Disrespect to our guest athletes is never acceptable. As the Drift NEU Park family, we stand by our athletes to the end. Where there is sport, there must be sportsmanship, respect, and discipline.”

THERE IS COMPETITION, NO VIOLENCE
At theof his statement, Dr. Haskasap emphasized that the goal of Drift NEU Park is to reach a stronger point on the international motorsports map, expressing that violence will not be accepted in sports in any way. “We are working to carry Drift NEU Park to the world map in motorsports. We aim to grow sports tourism and organize international events. We do not tolerate any behavior that harms this goal. There is competition and struggle on the Drift NEU Park track, but there is absolutely no place for violence.”

INCIDENT REFERRED TO THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
In accordance with the decision taken by the Board of Directors of the Northern Cyprus Touring and Automobile Association (KKTOK) on March 16, 2026, the unfortunate incident during the drift race was referred to the Disciplinary Committee. The license of the relevant licensed athlete has been temporarily suspended until the final decision is made by the Disciplinary Committee. In the statement made by KKTOK, it was noted that the investigation by the Disciplinary Committee was initiated as of March 17, 2026, and it was stated that the incident would be examined thoroughly and meticulously in all its aspects. It was reported that the decision to be taken as a result of the investigation will be shared both with the relevant parties and the public.