JEDDAH, 20 December 2002 — The latest version of the dynamic car that won the Monte Carlo Rally three times and was immortalized in the Michael Caine film “The Italian Job” is here. Visitors to the Jeddah International Motor Show (JIMS), themed as the “Enthusiasts motor show” that runs at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center from Sunday to Friday, can try out the charismatic Mini Cooper that has been a runaway success worldwide since its launch by BMW a short time ago.
A course has especially been set out for the event at the exhibition with a series of markers to indicate imaginary ‘garages.’ All the driver has to do is negotiate the course entering the garages in sequence without touching any of the markers. The Mini is a really maneuverable car and anyone with a driving license should be able to do the full course with no problems. It’s a fun event with a road safety theme and we’re looking forward to working with the Jeddah show organizer to give the young drivers of the city an opportunity to prove that they really are safe drivers, according to Tim Rushforth, group marketing manager for BMW and Mini importer M.Y. Naghi.
All the same, Rushforth is confident that nobody will be able to drive the course without touching at least one marker and Naghi is offering a special trophy for the best driver with a completely clear round. “Participation in the autotest will illustrate problems contributing to road accidents that are not usually appreciated by drivers and should lead to safer driving on Jeddah’s roads,” he said.
Unlike scenes from The Italian Job film, where Minis were driven across rooftops at breakneck speeds and then up a ramp into a moving truck, the New Mini Autotest is all done at slow speeds. Although it takes the familiar motor sport event formula that gives it its name and starts with an ABS braking test, it then slows it down to walking speed and adds a variety of tasks to test driver skill, maneuverability, vehicle position awareness and road safety including seating position, use of rear view mirrors and driver vehicle coordination.
Drivers with a valid driving license wishing to take part should collect a voucher in advance from the BMW showroom in Jeddah or from the Autotest course itself during the show, Ian Bennett, director of publicity and special projects of Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd., which has organized the show, told a press conference yesterday. “Bringing fun and excitement to the more usual static display of cars, the JIMS this year features an action packed fun event in a specially constructed auditorium,” he added.
The show features a series of contests between teams of car enthusiasts and teams from the motor industry. Heats of the Petromin Ultra 7 Enthusiasts vs. Professionals challenge will take place every day of the show ranging from an Autotest and 4x4 driving events on the circuit to a PitStop Challenge and Automotive Quiz in the auditorium. Teams will comprise four members each including the team captain plus up to a maximum of four reserves. There is no entry fee. Teams can pre-enter. Show visitors can also enter on the night at the show subject to availability.
Sponsors Mitsubishi have shipped a rally winning Pajero 4x4 vehicle especially for the event, which takes place on Monday. Taking the familiar “up on jacks, change the wheels” format and adding in fun elements and a road safety theme, the PitStop Challenge promises to be lots of fun - yet educational too, according to Bennett.
“The traditional pit stop event is always a big draw but we’ve added several more important elements. The event will be full of action, fun to watch and hugely entertaining but with road safety being the important factor linking everything together there should be a positive educational benefit.” Bennett said.
In a specially constructed auditorium, the Saudi Auto Quiz will take place on Thursday. The quiz will test competitors’ knowledge of a whole range of motoring related topics form F1 and motor sport through to car and driver recognition and general questions with a motoring theme. One section has been devoted entirely to questions specific to driving and safety in the Kingdom.
Special questions in each round will be just for the audience - with prizes for the correct answers. Questions will be asked in both Arabic and English by an experienced presenter and a special on-screen presentation will enable the audience to see the same pictures and diagrams at the competing teams.
“This will be an entertaining evening,” said Bakur Azher, publisher and editor-in-chief of Saudi Auto magazine, which has sponsored the quiz. “As well as the serious side, we’re adding in some fun questions, although even these are biased toward the driving and general road situation in the Kingdom,” he said, adding that Saudi Auto was donating gifts and prizes to the contestants who would be chosen from Motor Show visitors, Saudi Auto readers and pre-entered teams.
