Fadhel aims for flying start in Middle East rally

UAE driver Sadiq Fadhel is aiming for a flying start to the 2000 FIA Middle East Championship in Abu Dhabi next month to help propel him on his first attempt at the regional series.

Fadhel, whose Middle East rallying career has so far been limited to UAE events, knows a good performance in the ADNOC Distribution UAE International Rally on January 25-26 could be crucial.

He is already committed to venturing outside the Emirates for the first time next year, but needs a significant sponsorship boost to help him put together an extended championship programme.

If the sponsorship can be found, Fadhel believes he can become a serious challenger in the Middle East Group N title race at the wheel of his recently acquired Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI. Fadhel and his co-driver for the last six years, Imad Nabhan, took the car to seventh place overall in last month's Dubai International Rally.

"The car was brand new, with zero mileage, when we bought it, and that's why we couldn't push it on its first rally," said Fadhel. "But we'll be able to push much harder in Abu Dhabi, and we'll be looking for a top five finish.

"We'll be doing a minimum of four events in this year's Middle East Championship, going to Qatar and Bahrain, as well as competing in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. To score points in the championship we need to do at least one other round in Jordan, Lebanon or Syria. For that we need more support, and I'm talking to sponsors."

Fadhel knows his case will be strengthened if he can produce another impressive display in the ADNOC Distribution UAE International Rally, which is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.