JEDDAH, 13 April 2007 — Saudi Arabia Speed Trip members under the sponsorship of Al-Ghassan Motors, sole dealer of Lamborghini cars and Ducati motorcycles in Saudi Arabia, were among the participants in the Speed Trip event hosted by Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) earlier this week. Owners of high-performance and luxury cars from across the region took part in the “most exciting event of the Middle East.”
A major sport car marque at the event in force was Lamborghini. Helping customers and owners get to grips with the mighty Italian machines was test driving legend Valentino Balboni, who joined the prestigious car builder when he was just 16 years old – and Lamborghini was only one year into building sports cars.
“I was always very happy to be at the BIC,” said Balboni. “The annual Speed Trip is becoming one of our real highlights, with a very smooth, well organized, very safe event for people to get a feel of the potential of their cars. Bahrain is a beautiful country, the people are very friendly and respectful and we love to see such passionate customers and want them to feel special, this is the reason why we do such events.” Balboni added.
Also present representing the ‘Raging Bull’ of Lamborghini was Ghassan Abdurrahman Al-Sulaiman, president and CEO of Lamborghini’s official dealer in Saudi Arabia, Al Ghassan Motors. “We would like to thank Bahrain and the BIC for their hospitality, organization and support,” he said. “The event was a success, customers impressed by the power and safety combined in the new Murcielago LP 640 and, for our two-wheeled enthusiasts, Ducati.”
The two Italian marques celebrated the creation of the Lamborghini Saudi Arabia Club and the Ducati Saudi Arabia Club. The Lamborghini Club president is Prince Abdulaziz ibn Turki Al-Faisal, while the Ducati Club President is Mishaal Al-Sudeiri.
“We sell a lifestyle, this is the core of the event,” said Ghassan. “The benefit goes to charity and it forms part of our social responsibility at Al Ghassan Motors to give back to society. It is not easy to organize such events in terms of logistics, but after the success we’ve had we will be back next year,” he added.
Two-wheeled speed was high on the agenda with Ducati motorcycles. Andrea Galeazzi, bike instructor with the Ducati Riding Experience, said: “There were two teaching sessions: morning and afternoon with over 30 people ranging from 20 to 50 years of age. Lessons focused on safety measurements on track and test driving our new bike, the 999 and the feedback was very encouraging. We sure would love to go back again to Bahrain.”
