Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi will lead a six-car Abu Dhabi Racing (ADR) challenge when the Qatar International Rally – round one of the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) – gets under way at the Doha Corniche tomorrow.
The event, which concludes on Friday, has attracted 21 entries including local hero Nasser Al Attiyah and Saudi star Yazeed Al Rajhi, both of who, like Sheikh Khalid, also have vast WRC experience.
All three – Sheikh Khalid, Al Attiyah and Al Rajhi – are regulars on the MERC, but while the Qatari will be seeking a 10th title this season, Sheikh Khalid has taken the top honours just once, in 2004.
Apart from the challenge from Al Attiyah and Al Rajhi, ADR will also have to contend with Qataris Abdullah Al Kuwari and Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, and Kuwaiti Meshari Al Thefiri.
Sheikh Khalid who, like his teammates, will be behind the wheels of a Citroen DS3 RRC, admitted that the campaign will not be easy, saying: “The Middle East championship is perhaps the toughest event after the WRC. The competition is very tough, there are some very good drivers out there and there are lots of regional cars now.
“I do my best to win [every event]. Last year [in Qatar] I was leading the event, but suffered a flat tyre and lost precious time which cost me the victory.”
Sheikh Khalid, who is also chairman of ADR, said he was happy with his pre-event preparations in Qatar after a successful test day with co-pilot Chris Patterson. The DS3 driver also said that he was proud of his young team-mates, who have all come through the selection process held by Citroen Racing over the last two years.
While Saeed Bintooq, Mansoor Bel Helei and Juma Al Falasi were chosen last year, Mohammed Al Sahlawi and Mohamed Al Mutawaa were selected in 2012 and the two now have experience at the regional level as well as in the WRC.
Sheikh Khalid has advised his young squad to “fully exploit this great opportunity to finish the rally and harness the hands on experience that comes with it”.
Meanwhile, Al Rajhi, who last Sunday won the Baja Russia Northern Forest ’14 to take an early lead the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, said: “It’s been very hectic, very tiring and very exciting. Now we are back to the Middle East but this is going to be very difficult. The local drivers are quick here.
“This will be the third car I have driven in four weeks with a third co-driver.”
