Dubai: Shaikh Abdullah Al Qasimi, who will be partnered by British co-driver Steve Lancaster in a Ford Fiesta, said this weekend’s Dubai International Rally could see several of the Arab world’s top drivers involved in a start-to-finish battle for supremacy.
His brother, Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi, heads the UAE challengers aiming to break a run of six successive wins in Dubai for Qatari top seed Nasser Al Attiyah, who has already secured a ninth Middle East title this season.
Emirati Rashid Al Ketbi, Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi and Qatar’s 2010 Middle East champion Misfer Al Merri, are also looking to round off the season with a win. “They all have a chance this time,” said Shaikh Abdullah, whose Ford Fiesta will be one of seven powerful Regional Rally Cars in the starting line-up.
“Nasser has already won the championship, so he will be going for the win here, and so will Khalid. It will be a big battle, but it’s not just between them.
“Anyone who thinks that might be surprised. The stages are a mix of technical sections and high speed, and I think there will be just seconds between some of us. A small mistake could make all the difference.”
Organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), the event is based for a fourth year at Dubai Men’s College in the Higher Colleges of Technology campus at Academic City, which hosts the Rally HQ and service park.
UAE flags were aflutter around the college in the build-up to the 42nd UAE National Day, and ATCUAE President Mohammad Bin Sulayem said: “The Dubai International Rally has traditionally been part of our national celebrations and has a proud and permanent place in the UAE’s sporting history. The rally has produced some great battles over the years, and we have all the ingredients for another classic event once again.”
Shaikh Abdullah, who finished runner-up to Al Attiyah last year, said: “I’ve finished second and third a few times. I’ve lost count of the number of Dubai Rallies I’ve done, but the first was around 1983 and I’ve competed at least 15 times.
“I’ve never gone very close to winning it because I’ve had a few problems here and there over the years. I haven’t given up, but this is my first rally since Jordan [May], so it’s not easy for me to keep up with the other guys.”
