JEDDAH, 22 June 2007 — Mohanad Bashraheel of Red Speed team has been ranked first in the second round of Mobily Karting Race 2007 held here. Mohammad Kereidiah of Sport Auto team, winner of Mobily Karting Race 2006 overall, secured second place after a marvelous challenge for 25 labs between him and Abdulrahman Al Haraki of RMC team, and the third spot went to Moataz Jamal of Samorai team, according to the results made available yesterday.

The race was sponsored by Mobily and supported by Bridgestone, Mobil 1, IN 10 SO and Okaz daily. The race was held under the supervision of Saudi Committee for motor sport and the General Presidency of Youth Welfare.

Drivers underwent a training program, which included theoretical aspects of the race and its rules, and a practical orientation on practicing the sport safely.

Competitors driving Tony Kart, the official car of the race and the winner of world karting championships in 2004 and 2005, practices on the track for 10 minutes.

Thereafter, drivers started the first qualifying round for 10 minutes followed by a rest for 15 minutes and then the second qualifying round for another 10 minutes. Outstanding with action were professional drivers such as Husein Al Shareef of Sport Auto team and winner of the 1 st round, Mohammad Kereidiah of Sport Auto team, Abdulrahman Al Haraki of RMC, Maher Moumenah of Raf Rider, Mohammad Al Nahdi and Mohanad Bashraheel of Red Speed, Sohail Al Naqeeb of Naft, and Bandar Al Sylami and Moutaz Jamal of Samorai.

The race started with Mohanad Bashraheel in the first position followed by Mohammed Kereidiah in the second position. In the third position was Maher Mominah followed by Motaz Jamal. When the race began, all drivers were engaged in overtaking each other.

Ali Al Reifi of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare office, congratulated the winners and expressed his satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the race. He appreciated the efforts of Abdullah Bakhashab for successfully staging the competition and bringing the soul of F1 to the Kingdom.

Bakhashab said that karting races would give a big boost to the tourism sector in the Kingdom. “The competition has put the country on the international map of sporting events,” he said. He hopes that international karting races also would be held in the Kingdom sooner than expected.

Arab News

SLANE CASTLE, Ireland — Historical Slane Castle, Ireland, was the spectacular setting for the second leg of the Red Bull X-Fighters tour 2007. Over 35,000 enthusiastic spectators watched, cheered and yelled as US-American FMX hero Travis Pastrana ruled the technical freestyle track set-up at Slane ahead of Swiss rider Mat Rebeaud and youngstar Dany Torres from Spain.

Launching themselves off some super high kicker ramps more than 12 meters into the air were 10 of the world’s most respected freestyle motocross riders at the Red Bull X-Fighters’ second tour stop 2007 at Slane Castle, which is a historical, almost magical setting. Rock bands like U2 and The Rolling Stones have played here.

“Anything is possible” was what all the riders had confirmed before they entered the new freestyle track set-up at the foot of the castle. It was technically challenging and included a big quarterpipe. Anyone of these hardy souls on their 250ccm bikes could have been among the top three in the contest. However, everyone knew that you can never count out super progressive ‘Double Backflip’ Travis Pastrana.

Being back in the line-up of the Red Bull X-Fighters, it was doubtful that he would ride easy.

Displaying some incredible courage, technique, style and airtime all athletes competed in a passionate freestyle battle to excel and hit the podium. Among the judging criteria were difficulty, execution and variety of tricks, usage of course, style and overall impression. Again, the huge spectator crowd Abdullah, Nasr club striker. What I will say about him is that he’s a player that decided many important final matches.

There are more than seven championship finals in which he scored, most of them against Ahli club. He is a man with a lovable character. It is enough that the fans are singing his name during the match and after every time he scores a goal. He will forever be a player to remember and a man that is impossible to replace in the near future.”