JEDDAH, 29 June 2007 — Sport Auto Team’s Hussein Al -Sharif earned 1st place in Mobily Karting Championship 3rd round held at Durat Al Arous on Wednesday night. Al Mohanad Bashraheel of Red Speed Team took 2nd place and Maher Mouminah of Raf Rider team followed in 3rd position.
Al-Sharif started the race in 1st position after a weather-shortened time trial session caused by dusty and sandy conditions, which however improved as the start of the race neared.
Running at the front of the field with the threat of a penalty, Al-Sharif maintained the virtual lead over Bashraheel with Maher Mouminah moving up to 1st place.
Mohammad Kredeiah and Mohammad Al Nahdi were down in 4th and 5th places and not able to close the gap on the leaders.
Bandar Al Silami eventually pulled out before 23 laps had been completed. By lap 25, Al-Sharif completed the lead with 00:14:57:76, as Bashraheel clawed his way into 2nd place with 00:15:10:97.
Mouminah completed the 3rd race with 00:15:12:50. Both Mutaz Jamal and Suhail Nageb were robbed of potential podium finishes just three laps from the end. They were forced to stop with technical problems.
“It was a difficult race for me,” said Al-Sharif. “Several boats tried to jump the start and that meant both Bashraheel and Mouminah were running behind and trying to get back to the front of the field. It was not easy to overtake.
Several boats ran out of fuel near the finish and I was delighted to be first,” Al-Sharif added.The tournament’s 1st and 2nd rounds were successfully organized with a big number of competitors from different teams.
Al-Sharif of Sport Auto team clinched 1st place in the 1st round while Bashraheel of Red Speed team took 1st place in the 2nd round after a marvelous challenge for 20 laps between him and Kriediah of Sport Auto team.
There are six teams and every team consisted of two drivers except three teams that had a driver each. The six teams are Samorai, Red Speed, Sport Auto, Raf Rider, RMC and Naft.
Majed Al Shahrani of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare congratulated the winners and expressed his satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the race.
He also congratulated Saudi and international Rally driver Abdullah Bakhashab for the successful organization of the competition and bringing the soul of F1 to the Kingdom.
“Karting races will give a big boost to the tourism sector in the Kingdom. The competition has put the country on the international map of sporting events,” Bakhashab said. He added that the day was not far off when the Kingdom would be the venue for international karting races.
