Qatar's Al-Attiyah takes dramatic victory

Doha : Qatar's Nasser Al Attiyah and Italian co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini overcame a potentially costly puncture on the ninth special stage to clinch an eighth successive victory in the Qtel Qatar International Rally.

The win sees them take the early season initiative in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship.

Al Attiyah pedalled the new Ford Fiesta S2000 to an impressive debut victory over 14 demanding gravel stages in the Qatar desert, but the crew were pressed all the way by the UAE's Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi and Ulster co-driver Michael Orr in a similar car.

Both teams overcame niggling pre-rally teething problems.

RESULTS

Qtel Qatar International Rally final positions after Day Two (SS14 14.30hrs):

(1) Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (Qat)/Giovanni Bernacchini (Ita) Ford Fiesta S2000 2h 24m 38.5s; (2) Misfer Al Merri (Qat)/Nicola Arena (Ita) Subaru Impreza 2h 36m 04.5s; (3) Shaikh Hamed Bin Eid Al Thani (Qat)/Yousuf Mohammad (Qat) Subaru Impreza 2h42m 45.5s; (4) Ahmad Al Mansouri (UAE)/Killian Duffy (IRL) Subaru Impreza 2h 47m 40.7s; (5) Majid Al Shamsi (UAE)/Allan Harryman (GB) Subaru Impreza 2h 47m 45.3s.

2010 FIA Middle East Rally Championship — positions after Round One:

1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (Qat) 10pts

2. Misfer Al Merri (Qat) 8 pts

3. Shaikh Hamad Bin Eid Al Thani (Qat) 6 pts

4. Amjad Farrah (HKJ) 5 pts

5. Abdul Aziz Al Kuwari (QA) 4 pts

6. Mufeed Mubarak (KT)3 pts

7. Essam Al Nejadi (KT) 2 pts