PERTH, 16 November — Oman’s Arab World Rally Team’s driver Hamed Al Wahaibi drove his way through for a landslide Team’s Cup victory in the Rally Australia held Nov. 1-4 in the Western Australian City of Perth. Al Wahaibi outclassed his duo archrivals, European champion Henric Lundgard and Fin Passi Hagstrom, both claimed second and third places behind the Omani driver who further well-placed himself in an overall comfortable 13th Position.
Al Wahaibi posted good times in the special stages comparing with the more experienced and well-manned drivers. The Omani star was going neck-to-neck with many works team drivers.
Quickly getting adapted to his debut in the Subaru Impreza WRC 2001, Al Wahaibi had a trouble-free show in Australia. It is ironically just the second rally Al Wahaibi completes this season in the Team’s Cup. Last minute exit in Sweden due to mechanical failure, car fire in Cyprus, spate of punctures in Acropolis denied the Omani from a well-deserved Team’s Cup title this year. However, the Australian classic victory once again highlighted Hamed’s unique driving skills.
“It is a fine victory in the right time”. Said upbeat Hamed. “Well, I think we did good job here and I am happy with the results as well as the times we posted in this rally,” elaborated the Omani star.
“Thank God, we did very well and every one now realizes that we worth a chance. We posted fast times as we did in Acropolis and we will have some time out before we sit to chalk out our future plans,” concluded Al Wahaibi. The remarkable victory will definitely give moral boost to the Omani sensation who have put in himself among the top class-drivers in the world in merely five years of rallying. Al Wahaibi dedicated his victory to all Arabs.
