Qatar's Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and Ulster co-driver Chris Patterson led Rally Oman 2005 after seven timed special stages in the Hajar mountains of Oman yesterday.
The event is being held under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism, with support from the Oman Automobile Association, Muscat Municipality, Omantel, Qwat Jabal and Intevents.
Yesterday morning, the 21.60-km Yitti stage developed into a fascinating tussle between Oman's Hamed Al Wahaibi in a new Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Al Attiyah, with the Omani moving into a one-second outright lead by beating his Qatari rival by three seconds.
The UAE's Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum was third, 38 seconds adrift of the flying duo, with Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi fourth fastest in his Power Horse-supported Subaru Impreza WRX STi.
Al Wahaibi extended his overall advantage to nine seconds in the 17.45 kms Arqi test, as he and Al Attiyah pulled away from the chasing pack, headed by Shaikh Khalid, Shaikh Suhail, Shaikh Abdullah Al Qasimi and Qatar's Misfer Al Merri.
But a broken wishbone sidelined Al Wahaibi in the fourth stage and handed a sizeable advantage to Al Attiyah.
The Qatari duly won the fifth stage and extended his lead over Shaikh Khalid to 2m 09s at the end of the day, as the defending champion lost further time with slight damage to the car. "I knew Hamed would push today," said Al Attiyah.
"I was not on the limit for the first two stages, but started to attack a little in SS4. Now I have a good lead." Shaikh Suhail held third position, despite incurring a one-minute time penalty.
Positions
Rally Oman 2005 after SS7:
1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QA)/Chris Patterson (GB) Subaru Impreza WRX STi 1h 20m 44s
2. Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi (UAE)/Craig Parry (GB) Subaru Impreza WRX STi 1h 22m 53s
3. Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum (UAE)/Ahmad Al Ghaziri (UAE) Subaru Impreza WRX STi 1h 23m 12s
4. Shaikh Abdullah Al Qasimi (UAE)/Steve Lancaster (GB) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 1h 24m 35s.
