Suhail tops at Dunes Rally

Dubai: Former winner Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum led a clean sweep for the Land Rovers at the end of the second day of the 1000 Dunes Rally on Friday.

Shaikh Suhail ended the day at the top of the standings with a fine yet tough run in this, the third round of the 2008 UAE Rally Championship.

Caught in a bitter contest with Thani Al Falasi and Abdullah Al Huraiz, it was the 1997 winner teaming up with Wael Marjan as his co-driver coming through at the top in their tried and tested Land Rover sponsored by City of Arabia.

Al Falasi with Yacoub Mohammad as co-driver nestled into second place also in a Land Rover, while Al Huraiz and Ali Mirza completed the top three positions sweep for Land Rover.

"We wanted to go and get a comfortable lead so that we do not feel so much pressure going into the final day," Shaikh Suhail told Gulf News.

On a day that witnessed a few breakdowns, including 2007 UAE champion Shaikh Hamad Bin Eid Al Thani, Al Falasi and Mohammad tried to match Shaikh Suhail.

"But he seemed to be simply uncatchable," Yaqoub Mohammad said.

"It was a tough, hot and long day, but we tried our best to get as close to Shaikh Suhail as possible," he added.

Experience counts

However, given his vast experience in rallying, Shaikh Suhail and Marjan simply kept their focus and kept the rest of the cars at bay by the end of the day.

"It's more of strategy in such rallies," Yaqoub Mohammad pointed out.

That strategy did not seem to work for defending UAE champion Shaikh Hamad and co-driver Adel Fayrooz in their Nissan Patrol.

In the morning, some small niggles with the vehicle forced them to start off late and then as the day progressed, they were forced out with mechanical problems thus drawing a penalty for the late start.

"We still seem to have a chance, so tomorrow's plan will be somewhat different," Yaqoub Mohammad said.

The 1000 Dunes is the third round of the 2008 UAE Rally Championship organised by the Emirates Motor Sports Federation.

The 445-km rally has been classed in the 4x4 category and is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum.

Khalifa Al Mutaiwi has won it four times (1996, 1998, 1999 and 2001) due to which he was allowed to keep the sword for himself.

Also keeping the sword for himself was Ahmad Bin Sougat - not racing this season - after he claimed victory four times in 2000, 2004, 2005 and last year.

Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa (1997), Mohammad Al Shibani (2002), Raed Baker (2003) and Shaikh Hamad Bin Thani (2006) have won the sword once each.

After the overnight halt on Friday, Leg Two - consisting of six special stages and covering a distance of 212 kms - will take off at 9 am today, from the Scouts Camp in Sharjah and end at Dragon Mart with the first car expected to arrive at around 5.15 pm.

RESULTS
Provisional results at the end of the second day of the 1000 Dunes Rally that concludes in front of Dragon Mart Mall today: 1. Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum/Wael Marjan - Land Rover (1:06.04); 2. Thani Al Falasi/Yacoub Mohammad - Land Rover (1:09.30); 3. Abdullah Al Huraiz/Ali Mirza - Land Rover (1:12.14); 4. Ali Hassan/Ali Dadi - Nissan Patrol (1:13.09); 5. Abdullah Al Ketbi/Rashid Al Shamsi - Land Rover (1:14.57).