JEDDAH, 21 February 2003 — Saudi rally champion Abdullah Bakhashab has expressed disappointment over the absence of his UAE counterpart Mohammed ibn Sulayem in the first round of the Qatar International Rally, which starts on Wednesday .
“While I’m looking forward to the event, I’m sad that Mohammed ibn Sulayem is not going to be there in the first round,” Bakhashab, the Team Marlboro Peugeot Saudi Arabia driver, told Arab News.
“I understand his absence is due to financial difficulties. Whatever the reason, it’s not good for his career,” he said.
“In fact, he is in the habit of announcing his non-participation at the beginning of each season and then emerging as a participant at the last moment,” Bakhashab said.
After unveiling his new Peugeot 206 WRC, Bakhashab explained the reasons for changing his vehicle. “I’m confident that this car will be a powerful weapon in shaping my championship results from round to round. I’m optimistic of my achievements not only in the Qatar round but in the rest of the ME Championship,” said Bakhashab.
His preparations for the Qatar round are going well. “I’ve tested the car and find it perfect for my driving style.”
The last season, when he drove a Toyota Corolla WRC, was tough for his team. “However, with a professional team and a good car, plus a great number of strong competitors, I’m aiming at the championship,” Bakhashab added.
Meanwhile, the Toyota Rally Team Saudi Arabia for Rallies (TSTR) have started their field preparations for the first round of the Toyota Cup Championship, which is a separate competition from the Qatar Rally and part of the Middle East Championship for Rallies (MECR). The round consists of 19 stages of 248 km distance out of a totally rally distance of 705 km.
There is no change in the TSTR, and it again includes title holder Majid Al-Ghamdi and his co-driver Umr Al-Refai, Sultan Hamdi and Ali Al-Siari, and Umr Shas with Hani Al-Tarazi. A Qatari driver is a new participant in the TSTR.
“All drivers taking part in the Toyota Cup Championship will be driving Toyota Rav 4, which is modified and equipped especially for this purpose. The vehicles have proved their capabilities for this type of tough rallies before,” Al-Ghamdi said.
The five rounds of the MECR start with rallies in Qatar, and include Bahrain in mid-March, then Jordan and finally Dubai.
Majed Al-Ghamdi, who is keen to defend his title, said: “I know it’s not easy to reach the peak, but staying on in a tournament is more difficult. The opening round of the MECR will be hard, but I hope to prove myself once again.”
