JEDDAH, 9 May 2007 — The 1st round of Mobily Saudi Star Autocross begins today. Thirty-five drivers are taking part in the two-day event, which also marks the beginning of a new motor sport season.
Rally driver and motorsport promoter Abdullah Bakhashab told the media yesterday that Mobily Saudi Star Autocross 2007 would play a significant role in attracting young Saudis and inculcating in them the principles of safe driving.
The event is expected to witness strong contests from among amateurs in demonstrating their driving skills. Competitors will drive ordinary cars of their own and then take part in the competition driving Toyota Camry to determine the Saudi Star for this round. Arrangements have been made in expectation of a large turnout of spectators.
The event is being supported by Mobily, which is the main sponsor and becomes the first telecommunication company to support motorsport in the Kingdom, Bakhashab added. Other supporters of the event are Toyota Camry as the official car, Mobil 1, Okaz newspaper as the media sponsor, and Bridgestone as the official race tire for the first time.
Bakhashab expressed his happiness over the success of 2006 motorsport competitions describing it as a great achievement in a short time. Other contributors to its success include official institutions, major business houses, Saudi Motorsport Committee and the youth welfare office. “The all-round support the motor sport has been receiving has been instrumental in making it the second most popular in the Kingdom after football,” he added.
Explaining the rules of the race, Bakhashab said a group of special engineers had designed the track and made it more challenging with a slew of curves and hairpin turns. The circuit length exceeds 1,300 meters and is punctuated with turnings and obstacles. A special digital timing system will be used. Entry to the competition very simple; you only need to have a valid driving license to qualify, and bring your own ordinary car with standard specifications and without changes or modifications to the engine. Safety measures and specifications are a must. These include, among others, safety belts, efficient brakes and a hamlet. The first day (today) begins with qualifying rounds after categories of participating cars are defined on the basis of engine size and power. Organizers will also have an information center to announce the results and provide information to the media. Thousands of motorsport fans including families, children, and youngsters are expected as usual to gather around the circuit to watch the race.
About 35 amateur drivers will take part in the event, which is aimed to assess and develop driving talents and skills. The event is hoped to help discover new generation of future rally drivers.
The drivers will be divided into seven groups and each group members will compete among themselves. The drivers, with their cars, will be categorized into 7 classes depending on the capacity and the power of engine, car size and year of manufacture. The classes will be: 1. super stock (SS) for ultra high performance sport cars, 2. A Stock (AS) for high performance sport cars 3.PA – sport cars and GT’s, 4. C Stock (CS) for small size compact cars, 5. D Stock (DS) for intermediate size sedans 6. F Stock (FS) for sedans and coupes, 7. (BS) for medium size coupes.
Each driver will be allowed to drive 2 trials. The best time (the lowest time inclusive pylon penalties, if any) particular run were taken for ranking with each classes.
A judge and 12 marshals around the track will control the track. If anybody hits the barrier, the marshals will flag him and the driver will lose one point.
