Al Qasimi ready for classic battle in Kuwait
Racing star says this could be the strongest ever Middle East rally
Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi believes this weekend’s Kuwait International Rally could produce a classic battle for supremacy between the Arab world’s top drivers, in what is arguably the strongest line-up in FIA Middle East Championship history.
The UAE star’s Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team DS3 is one of ten powerful Regional Rally Cars contesting the second round of this year’s regional series on Friday and Saturday.
And while reigning Middle East champion Nasser Al Attiyah and Al Qasimi are seen as the two most likely winners, the Emirati driver believes at least two other contenders, Qatar’s Abdul Aziz Al Kuwari and Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi, could mount serious challenges for victory.
“This could be the strongest ever Middle East rally,” said Al Qasimi. “We have 28 cars, one more than the WRC Rally of Mexico last week, and there’s a lot of quality.
“Most people seem to be focusing on Nasser and myself, especially after we finished first and second in the first round in Qatar. I think there are four or five drivers who could win.
“Abdul Aziz showed what he can do by winning the WRC2 title in Rally Mexico and Yazeed did the same in the previous round in Sweden. They are both fast and will be battling for every stage — they’ll be hard to drop.”
Partnered by Scott Martin in the Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team DS3, Al Qasimi says the size and depth of the Kuwait International Rally starting line-up augurs well for the future of the FIA Middle East series.
He hopes the emergence of Abu Dhabi Racing as a new force in the championship will help raise the profile of the series and attract more young Arab talent.
“What we’re doing in Abu Dhabi is creating a lot of interest and helping to raise standards in the championship,” he said. “We’ve started something and we’re hoping it will open the door for others to follow.”
Also part of the impressive Abu Dhabi Racing driver line-up in Kuwait are Mohammad Al Sahlawi and Mohammad Al Mutawaa, who contest the new 2WD category in a pair of Citroën DS3 R3s. Elsewhere, Badr Al Jabri competes in Group N in a Subaru N15.
