Entry list announced for 2015 Dubai International Rally

Sport360 staff 21:48 17/11/2015
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  • This year's event sees a glittering line-up of big names.

    The Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), organisers of the 2015 Dubai International Rally, have announced an impressive entry list for the event comprising eight UAE rally drivers from a total line-up of 17 entrants gearing up for the final round of the 2015 FIA Middle East Rally Championship.

    Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, ATCUAE – himself a staggering 15-time winner of the event – commended the 2015 entry list.

    He said: “I am delighted to see such a strong entry list in terms of the number of drivers. The MERC rounds in Jordan, Qatar, Iran and Cyprus all had less than 15 entries, so to have 17 entries for the final round when the championship has already been decided is exceptionally good going.”

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    Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi leads the entry list of racers for the 2015 Dubai International Rally, and will be hoping for his third Dubai Victory in 2015. However, he will have to work hard to contain Qataris Abdulaziz Al Kuwaiti and Khalid Al Suwaidi as the trio battle for second place in the final championship standings, while Nasser Al Attiyah, has elected to miss the event.

    Among the other UAE drivers on the list are Sheikh Abdulla Al Qassimi and his son Sheikh Mohammed Al Qassimi, who is making his Debutinternational in Dubai Internaitonal Rally while competing alongside his father in the UAE National Rally Championship this season.

    X Dubai World Rally Team’s Rashid Al Ketbi will start his only Middle East rally of the season in his Ford Fiesta R5, while Mansour bin Jaber joins the race in a Mitsubishi Evo. Abu Dhabi Racing junior drivers Mansour Bel Helei, Saeed bin Towq and Mohammed Al Mutawaa will fight it out for two wheel drive honours in a trio of identical Citroen DS3s. Al Mutawaa comes home to Dubai straight after competing in Wales Rally GB – marking the final round of the 2015 World Rally Championship.

    Stressing on his keenness to participate and compete in this race, Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, the favourite to win the Dubai International Rally, said: “My participation in the Dubai International Rally differs from any other rally event because it is being held in the UAE. I consider representing the country and competing to win as a national duty first and foremost.”

    Al Qassimi added: “I have completed all preparations for this year’s race, but the world of motorsport is always full of surprises. Technical problems or mechanical failures often affect the final results. However, I am fully confident in my ability to win and mark another sporting achievement for the UAE. I hope to enter the race full throttle from the very beginning to achieve the desired result.”

    Sheikh Abdullah Al Qasimi stressed on the importance of being part of this national event and on representing the country. He also commented on the participation of his son, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, saying: “This is Mohammed’s third rallying experience and his first Dubai International Rally participation. Despite his young age, I was surprised by his performance and the fantastic timing he was able to achieve during practice. He has shown a strong commitment and seriousness in learning and taking advice. I am confident his participation in this national rally will help him gain experience and effectively represent the UAE youth in international motorsport events like this one in the future too.”

    For his part, the Lebanese rally champion Michel Saleh who is seeking to secure the UAE Rally Championship ‘N’ Class title for the second consecutive year, said: “The Dubai International Rally is an important stage in the UAE Rally Championship, especially since its winners receive double the number of points, which plays a crucial role in changing the overall standings and in stepping up the level of the competition.”

    Under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Bin Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee the Dubai International Rally is set to run from Thursday, 19 November to Saturday, 21 November 2015. 

    In addition to the international round, a National Rally will also be staged as part of the event that will contribute to the UAE National Rally Championship, organised by the Emirates Motorsport Club (EMC) with the support of the ATCUAE.

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