JEDDAH, 20 July — As many as 26 rally drivers are expected to come from elsewhere in the Gulf to join four of their Saudi counterparts to take part in the upcoming Toyota Race of Champions, described as the first motor sport event in this part of the world.
Organized as part of the Jeddah 22 summer festival and supervised by Saudi rally driver Abdullah Bakhashab, the race is scheduled for two days from July 26 at a specially laid track at the Dallah Club. The 2.4 km long double track with two parallel lines is prepared and built by Saudi Bin Ladin Group.
Following are the pre-rally messages from some of the invitees:
Qatari rally driver Hamad Al-Sowiady: “I’ve participated in many major events all over the world but my happiness knows no bounds when I’m heading for the Kingdom where motor sport is going to get so much prominence and attention. We’ll work together to further enhance its popularity and attract youngsters to promote the great sport. It’s a great honor for us to participate and make it a success.”
Jordanian rally champion Bashar Bostami: “The credit goes to Abdullah Bakhashab for not only organizing the first ever rally but to raise it to a standard that reminds us of the annual Spanish Race of Champions.
We do hope that such an event will become an annual feature in the Kingdom or any other Arab country.
Lebanese rally champion Jean-Pierre Nasrallah: “Bakhashab has set an example to all of us in the region to work toward making the motor sport popular.
Oman’s promising champion Hamad Al-Wahaibi, also the Middle East champion for group N and now a participant in the World Cup Race for Special Teams: “The least the International Union Motor Sport can do is to honor Bakhashab for his pioneering role in putting the Kingdom on the world?s motor sport map. We’re sure the event will go a long way in making the sport more popular.”
Bahraini rally driver and Auto Cross Race champion Sheikh Jaber ibn Khalifa: “Bakhashab’s hard work in staging the maiden event is proof of his love for the motor sport. It affords us a great opportunity to put the Arab world as a venue for the motor sport, which has been popular in the West. It?ll be our endeavor to strengthen Bakhashab’s hands and contribute toward the event’s success.
Bakhashab said a press conference of rally participants and a display of the participating cars will precede the event. Participants will use only two models of Toyota cars — Rav4 which will be used on the first day for qualifying purposes and Corolla WRC — the one used in rallies, which will be used on the second day and in the final stages of the race.
At the end of the second day winners will be announced and prizes distributed.
A specialized international team is expected to supervise the rally, which Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry Secretary-General Dr. Majed Al-Kasabi has described as one of the most important events of the annual summer festival. The rally is so timed as to give a fitting finale to the six-week festival, which is set to end by July-end.
