Sheikh Khalid and Nasser rivalry in focus as regional series gets under way

Anthony Fernandes 08:18 05/02/2015
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  • Motivated: Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi appears to be motivated more than ever to prove a point in the regional series, which gets under way in Qatar this weekend.

     The Middle East Rally Champion­ship (MERC) opener gets under way in Doha over the weekend against a tense backdrop after Abu Dhabi Racing’s (ADR) Sheikh Kha­lid Al Qassimi was stripped of his 2014 Dubai rally and MERC titles by the FIA International Court of Appeal last December.

    A challenge against that deci­sion has been launched before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

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    In what Sheikh Khalid’s sym­pathisers perceive to be a contro­versial verdict, the decision saw Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah declared Dubai rally winner and in the proc­ess also secure a 10th MERC title.

    This latest chapter in an often bitter rivalry between the region’stop two drivers is expected to spice up the series even more this season; Al Attiyah is hoping to clinch a 12th victory on home soil and Sheikh Khalid out to prove a point.

    Moreover, there are records that beckon Al Attiyah: he has won 54 regional rallies and is now just six short of the record 60 wins achieved by the UAE’s Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and four regional titles short of going on par with the 14 the latter won during an illustrious career.

    “This is my home event and it is always special,” said Al Attiyah. “Winning here, in front of my home fans and at my home club, is the goal again; not only to get the sea­son off to a winning start, but to put another win in the history books.”

    Sheikh Khalid, driving a Citroen DS3 RRC, finished third at this event last year and has vowed to be even more competitive over the weekend.

    And, in a move that reflects the mood in the ADR camp follow­ing the stripping of his Dubai and MERC titles, the team will not field their junior drivers in Qatar.

    Sheikh Khalid explained: “We at Abu Dhabi Racing will choose the best rallies for our junior drivers to participate in and those that will be beneficial for them.”

    Hence, the entry list of 15 is small by recent Qatar standards, but the event will not be lacking in quality.

    Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi has vowed to be more competitive this weekend.

    Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi is chasing a fifth MERC success and a first in Qatar. Al Rajhi is committed to a full MERC season but will need points on the board if he is to make a strong challenge for the title.

    Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al Kuwari will tackle the event he won in 2012 and finished second last year. Abdullah Al Kuwari, Khalifa Al Attiyah and Khalid Al Suwaidi further bolster the Qatari challenge.

    Kuwait’s Salah bin Eidan will also be in action while Germany’s Edith Weiss will tackle her eighth Qatar event.

    With Iran about to break into the regional series with the running of the Shiraz Rally in May, two Tehran Rally Team Subaru Imprezas with Mohammed Ghalehbani and Ali Mesgarha complete the field.

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