JEDDAH, 2 March 2006 — Saudi rally driver Ahmed Al-Sabban, sponsored by Mobily, landed fifth place with a time of 2:51:12 in his Subaru at the Qatar International Rally held recently in Doha.
Entering the second round of Middle East Championship in Doha with enthusiasm and determination to score a better result, Al-Sabban made a good start in the first day but suffered mechanical problems in the second day that caused him heavy penalties.
“I had in mind that fans, supporters and sponsor wanted me to do better which really put pressure on me but luckily I made a better result than what I did in the first round in UAE,” said Al-Sabban of his Doha performance.
Coming in fifth behind Qatari drivers Nasser Al-Attiyah, Misfr Al-Marri and Khalifa Al-Attiyah was a positive result for Al Sabban. “Because of the mechanical problems I could have scored a better result but I am glad of my performance and I think I still have time to compete for the championship’s title.”
Meanwhile, his teammate Saad Faisal could not make it to Doha’s round because of fitness problems but then he was looking forward to the third round.
“I was hoping to participate in Qatar but was not ready enough for it, however, I will be ready in April to join the Saudi Rally team,” Faisal said.
The next round of the FIA Middle East Championship 2006 will be held in Oman in April. Top-10 provisional results after stage 16 at the Qatar International Rally, the second round of eight-race FIA Middle East Championship 2006:
1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (Qatar), Subaru Impreza, 2 hours 19 minutes 41 seconds; 2. Misfer Al Marri (Qatar), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, 2:26:46; 3. Khalifa Al Attiyah (Qatar), Subaru Impreza, 2:33:41; 4. Abdullah Al Qassimi (UAE), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, 2: 42:35; 5. Ahmed Al Sabban (KSA), Subaru Impreza, 2:51:12; 6. Mufeed Mubarak (Kuwait), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, 2:52:09; 7. Jaralla Almea’ Jahman (Qatar), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, 3:04:30; 8. David Scialom, (Great Britain), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5, 3:08:19; 9. Khalid Mohammed Al Suwaidi (Qatar), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7, 3:09: 56; 10. Andreas Wimmer (Austria), Subaru Impreza, 3:12:04.
