JEDDAH, 5 May 2005 — Majed Al-Ghamdi emerged the winner in the first round of the second autocross race — Bison Saudi Star Autocross, held at the racetrack on Prince Sultan Street recently.
The two-day event saw a nonstop endurance battle among the teams, as each battled to compete and score the maximum under the new system of awarding points.
A large number of spectators, some of them women and children, thronged the venue on both days cheering their favorite participants.
The event is being staged in three rounds. The second round will follow in June coinciding with the Jeddah Summer festival and the third and final round is set for November.
Al-Ghamdi came straight from rallying to compete on tarmac for the first time in his motor sporting career. “I struggled to win, but I loved every minute of it and will do it again,” he remarked on his victory.
Al-Ghamdi participated in the race on his Subaru Impressa and clocked 1:35.329 min. to win. “This is as good a fun as rallying,” said Al-Ghamdi, a member of Prince Khaled ibn Sultan ibn Abdullah Al-Faisal’s KSA Racing Team. Aside from Saudi rally champion Abdullah Bakhashab who was greatly impressed by the skills and speed of the participants, one other person equally satisfied was William Qurban, race manager and course clerk. “In fact, I was confident Al-Ghamdi’s would surprise everyone to emerge in first position” he remarked.
Fadi Hammadeh, who was fancied to win the event, was in second place. Driving his black Audi TT through the track, his best run was 1:39.590.
Prince Khaled’s group emerged in third position clocking 1:37.345 in his second of four runs on his BMW M3 CSL. He was heard remarking that he should have opted for the MINI Cooper instead.
Ibrahim Hashem with his blue Audi TT clocked 1:39.590 in his best run to occupy third place overall. Bison (Abuljadayel Beverages Inc.) is the main sponsor of the event. Its other sponsors include Abdul Latif Jameel Co. Ltd. (Toyota Camry), Mobil 1, V-KOOL, IN 10 SO, and Al Bilad newspaper.
