DOHA, 28 January 2003 — Preparations for the Toyota Cup Middle East 2003 Championship are in full swing, according to Saudi rally champion Abdullah Bakhashab. The championship features rounds in Qatar from Feb. 26-28, Bahrain March 19-21, Jordan May 15-17, Syria Sept. 10-12 and Dubai Dec. 3-5.
“The success of the Toyota Cup depends how actively various rally drivers and auto clubs participate in it,” Bakhashab told a press conference here on Sunday. He affirmed the importance of motor sport and urged rally champions to help attract young drivers.
“There is an urgent need to induct fresh talents, rather a new generation of drivers, into the Middle East championship. Our objective in organizing the event is aimed at this. I would urge all auto clubs in the region to pay more attention to this,” he said.
According to him, this championship has a big surprise in store, which will be announced in due course. “Don’t forget that Majid Al-Ghamdi and his codriver Umr Al-Refai of the Toyota Rally Team Saudi Arabia won the first episode of Toyota Cup and became popular due to their advanced style of driving Toyota RAV4 car.
“Only five rounds have been allocated for the championship,” he said, adding that he hoped to succeed in his negotiations with the Qatari Toyota agent for sponsorship of a new Qatari rally driver.
“This championship would not have taken place without the support of the FIA. The main objective of the championship rounds is to match the idea of Teams Cup rally, which used to take place within the World Rally Championship rounds with an idea of finding a new generation of rally drivers,” Bakhashab added.
