Experienced duo Baker and Ahmadi clinch Ras Al Khaimah Rally

Dubai: Raed Baker and Nabil Ahmadi relied on their superior experience to win the Ras Al Khaimah Rally on Saturday.

Starting in third position on the grid, Baker and Ahmadi pushed their Mitsubishi to the maximum to finish ahead of Abdullah Bin Humaidan and Arif Yousuf.

"It was a tough rally, but I totally enjoyed the dog-fight between us and Bin Humaidan and Yousuf," Baker told Gulf News.

"I had the added disadvantage of running a car with a smaller engine compared to the six-litre engine of Bin Humaidan's Nissan Patrol," Baker added.

The result, however, did not alter the overall standings as Al Falasi took the crown due to the 20-point advantage he had over his nearest rival.

A fifth place finish yesterday, however, helped Fadi Melki overtake Abdullah Al Huraiz, who slipped into third place.

Overnight leaders Bin Humaidan and Yousuf finished in second spot with a timing of 1:6:09 minutes, compared to Baker's winning time of 1:06.09.

Glen Reid and Hayden Walker, who were in second spot after Friday's Prologue, finished third.

Baker and Ahmadi started well to complete the first three stages with a healthy 25-second lead over Bin Humaidan and Yousuf.

However, Bin Humaidan and Yousuf took the lead in the next stage, finishing a slender nine seconds ahead. However, Bin Humaidan and Yousuf faltered in the final stage, handing over the title to Baker and Ahmadi by a narrow eight seconds.

Pre-race favourite Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum failed to start off after mechanical problems.