A one-year sabbatical seems to have worked wonders for former champion driver Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.
The UAE driver was at his very best last week, claiming his second career title in the 1000 Dunes Rally that concluded at the Dragon Mart Mall in front of an appreciative crowd.
A third win will give him the much-coveted golden sword for keeps - a feat that has been achieved by just two other drivers - Khalifa Al Mutaiwa'a and Ahmad Bin Sougat.
The one-year break last season was due to some other reason, but that seems to have worked to Suhail's advantage.
"It gives me a good feeling deep inside to be here at this moment," Suhail told Gulf News after receiving the golden sword from Khalid Al Malek and Hamad Al Mazroeei, director general and vice-president of the Emirates Motor Sports Federation (EMSF).
Much of his success in rallying goes to his early days spent in the demanding desert terrain of the UAE. "I feel with it as I have grown and learnt from the desert," he said.
That oneness was clearly evident last week when he led from start to finish in the 1000 Dunes Rally. "It's the added advantage of having the experience of the terrain. I have the ability to read the dunes, know where the soft sands lie, know how the terrain is going to treat my vehicle," Suhail stated.
This superior experience has stood by Suhail as he claimed the UAE title on three occasions [in 1992, 1997 and 2005]. But perhaps, a more satisfying memory is his three successive titles in the Masafi Rally from 1988 to 1990.
His current rise seems headed for a definite career goal - a third crown in the 1000 Dunes Rally. "That seems to be the logical thing to aspire for," Suhail agreed.
"I have the experience and I have the drive to achieve what I want. We [along with co-driver Wael Marjan] have been a sturdy team and I can see many more achievements falling on our laps in the future," added the City of Arabia-sponsored driver.
With local success on his side, Suhail is next looking forward to challenges outside the UAE with the first one coming at the Jordan Rally, a FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) event to be held from April 24-27.
Going a long way
"Rallying for me is a hobby and I love it. It is part of my life. And with people like City of Arabia backing us, I feel we can go a long way in achieving a lot more," said Suhail.
He is now looking forward to this year's Desert Challenge, scheduled for December.
"I did not give the Desert Challenge a try because I do not like to be a blind driver. But now I'm sure the road book has the information to convince me to give it a try," Suhail said.
"I also need to see where I stand while competing against foreign participation," he smiled.
