'Class 1 circuit missing Al Tayer'

If there is one person missing on the Class 1 circuit this year, it is definitely Victory Team's three-time world champion Saeed Al Tayer.

"All the pilots in Lisbon only wanted to know why Saeed (Al Tayer) stopped racing this season," disclosed Saeed Hareb, newly-appointed UIM Class 1 Commissioner and managing director of the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).

"Not having Saeed race with Victory is a great loss to all concerned - to Class 1, to Victory Team and to the UAE as well," Hareb noted.

"Saeed is not merely a competitor. He is a brand name for Class 1 Offshore racing. Everyone respects him for all his hard work and what he has achieved with the Victory Team," he added.
Hareb next heads to Spain for the second round of the 2004 Class 1 Championships to be held from June 4-6.

"There were far too many occasions in the past which should have made Saeed stop racing. But he did not. I understand he cannot find time now. But I hope he will return."