MANAMA, 19 March 2004 — The Bahrain international rally returned to the series of the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) this season, and with it surprises returned.
It is the second round of the MERC and the first round of Toyota Cup Challenge, in which Toyota Team Saudi Arabia sponsored by Abdul Latif Jameel Company and supported by Power Horse and Denso participated.
Prince Khalid ibn Abdullah Al-Faisal and Abdullah Al-Dosari recently joined the Rally as new additions to Toyota Cup Challenge. Al-Dosari replaced Amr Shas in Toyota Team Saudi Arabia.
Although both recent additions to Toyota Cup Challenge, Prince Khalid and Al-Dosari, are well-known for distinct driving styles, skills and talents, it was the first time they participated in international rallies. Observers, therefore, expected Majid Al-Ghamdi, Toyota Cup champion for the last two seasons, and Sultan Hamdi to easily beat the newcomers.
But they were both unfortunate as they left the rally early when one of them hit a rock and the other encountered a mechanical failure, thus leaving the scene to the new drivers.
Prince Khalid took the lead but was pulled down by a cruel twist of fate, when taking a sudden turn he rolled his Toyota RAV4 and the delay in time spent in putting the vehicle back on the track cost him the Bahrain title as he collected 8 points and ranked second.
Al-Dosari won this round clinching first and collecting 10 points.
Commenting on the result of Bahrain round, Prince Khalid said that he was happy that his first participation was promising.
Al-Dosari said he benefited from this experience and this would help him in future rallies.
