Strong first day for Al Qassimi as Dubai Rally heads towards finish

Sport360 staff 09:02 21/11/2015
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  • Out in front: Sheikh Khalid Bin Faisal Al Qassimi.

    Sheikh Khalid Bin Faisal Al Qassimi and his co-driver Chris Patterson posted a time of 1:07:29 in their Citroen DS3 RRC, to lead day one competitions of the 37th Dubai International Rally, which consisted of six special stages over 146kms.

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    Qatari Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and his co-driver Marshall Clarke arrived second in their Ford Fiesta RRC, while Sheikh Abdullah Al Qassimi and his co-driver Joseph Matar came in third in a Ford Fiesta RRC as well.

    Sheikh Khalid said: “In the first stage I had a problem with the gear- box, and was forced to abandon my aggressive approach so the problem does not worsen awaiting return to maintenance point.

    “However, I was able to start driving aggressively again in the fourth and fifth stages and succeed- ed in taking the lead.”

    Al Kuwari was also happy to go into today’s concluding action in second place.

    He said: “I am happy with the times I clocked and with the huge development in my performance compared to last year.

    “I was able to lead the first two stages but a tyre change cost me valuable time. Breaking down the time difference is not going to be easy, but the race is not over yet and my chance of winning the rally remains strong.”

    Sheikh Abdullah had to make some adjustments but did so to good effect and a strong day’s racing.

    “I faced some difficulties in the first stage and had to adjust the suspension settings to suit the very rough race course and the large number of gravel and stones on the road,” he said.

    “The race is only halfway and I wish all drivers the best of luck and, most importantly, hope we race to a safe finish.”

    In group (N), Lebanese Nassib Nassar managed to steal the lead from his countryman Michel Saleh, who came in last after a falling back in the 4th stage, while the third contender for this title, the Emirati Mansour Bin Jabr, retired after the 5th stage.

    Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mo- hammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, the Dubai International Rally is one of the main attractions of the third edition of Dubai Motor Festival. 

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