Al-Rajhi leads Tabuk-NEOM rally after qualifiers

The competitors line up before the Tabuk-NEOM rally. (SAMF)

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Updated 19 May 2023

Arab News

May 19, 2023 11:01

Al-Rajhi leads Tabuk-NEOM rally after qualifiers

Race action in car, motorcycle and quad categories gets underway with a 205km selective section on Friday morning

Updated 19 May 2023

Arab News

May 19, 2023 11:01

TABUK: Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Sultan Al-Balooshi and Haitham Al-Tuwaijri set the quickest times in the car, motorcycle and quad categories in front of huge crowds on the Qualifying Stage, held on the outskirts of Tabuk, that kickstarted the weekend’s action in the first Tabuk-Neom Rally on Thursday afternoon.

Al-Rajhi and German co-driver Timo Gottschalk stopped the clocks in 2 min 42 sec to win the 3.5km stage by 43 seconds in their Toyota Hilux. National championship contenders Abdulaziz Al-Yaeesh and Khalid Al-Feraihi were second and third.

Khalid Al-Jafla topped the times in the T2 category for lightweight prototype cross-country vehicles, and Maha Al-Hameli won the stage in T4.

The motorcycle times were then multiplied by a coefficient, and quad category winner Haitham Al-Tuwaijri topped the overall stage times on his Yamaha Raptor, with Emirati Sultan Al-Balooshi winning the stage on two wheels from Mishal Al-Ghuneim and his brother Mohammed (Al-Balooshi).

Ibrahim Al-Muhanna was the only starter in the T5 category in his Mercedes truck.

After technical scrutineering and administration checks for the second round of the Saudi Toyota Rally Championship, 23 cars, 12 motorcycles and three quads were permitted to start the event. The car section was broken down to one T1+ machine for Al-Rajhi, seven T1 machines, six in T2, four Can-Ams in each of the T3 and T4 categories and a T5 truck.

Al-Rajhi was joined by Saudi Toyota Rally Championship leader Abdulaziz Al-Yaeesh, Khalid Al-Hamzani, Ahmed Al-Shegawi, Saleh Al-Saif, Dania Akeel, Maha Al-Hameli, Ibrahim Al-Muhanna, riders Mishal Al-Ghuneim and Mohammed Al-Balooshi and SAMF officials at the pre-event press conference earlier in the afternoon.

Crews tackled the Qualifying Stage at the start of a challenging route laid on by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, which is run under the chairmanship of Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal.

The event is being held in conjunction with the ministry of sport and in partnership with official sponsor Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and strategic sponsor Saudi Investment Bank.

Topics: Motorsport

India revs up for maiden MotoGP at circuit where F1 stalled

Updated 20 September 2023

AFP

September 20, 2023 07:37

India revs up for maiden MotoGP at circuit where F1 stalled

India is a critical market for the growth of MotoGP, Dorna’s chief sporting officer Carlos Ezpeleta said
India hosted F1 for three years in 2011-2013 but lost the rights with two years still left on the contract over financial and bureaucratic setbacks

Updated 20 September 2023

AFP

September 20, 2023 07:37

GREATER NOIDA, India: India hosts its maiden MotoGP on Sunday as the premier motorcycling championship looks to tap a potentially lucrative new fan base and succeed on a track where Formula One stalled.

Two-wheelers are India’s most popular means of petrol-powered transport with more than half of all households owning at least one motorbike or scooter, compared to just eight percent with cars.

Sales figures show an increasing appetite for high-end, high-octane motorbikes, and organizers are banking on the trend to fuel interest in the sport in the world’s most populous country.

“We have more than a million bikes in the 250cc-plus category selling every year in India, which means more than a million people are buying bikes for more than just transportation,” Vaibhav Sinha, chief executive of Indian MotoGP promoters Fairstreet Sports, told AFP.

“They are using it for thrills, adventure, sports and leisure riding,” he added.

“We intend to tap this potential to make biking a very big sport in our country.”

But the lead-up to the race has seen concerns raised about the safety of the Buddh International Circuit, with particular fears about walls that are too close to the asphalt.

“In India all the riders together are going to walk the track before we get on the bike to understand the situation,” Spanish rider Aleix Espargaro was reported as saying.

Some MotoGP personnel and riders also had problems getting visas for India, but organizers on Tuesday blamed a technical glitch and said it was on the way to being resolved.

Fairstreet Sports signed a seven-year deal with MotoGP’s commercial rights holder Dorna Sports to hold a race in India, which has the world’s fifth-biggest economy.

India is a critical market for the growth of MotoGP, Dorna’s chief sporting officer Carlos Ezpeleta said.

“For us breaking into India, which is a whole continent in itself, is very important,” he told Sportstar magazine.

“It’s the biggest two-wheeler market in the world and very important for us, our stakeholders and the manufacturers.”

The Buddh circuit on the outskirts of New Delhi was previously home to the Indian leg of Formula One.

India hosted F1 for three years in 2011-2013 but lost the rights with two years still left on the contract over financial and bureaucratic setbacks.

Back then the government refused to recognize Formula One as a sport, meaning the organizers needed to pay tax and duties on everything connected with the race.

Declining attendances also hurt the event.

MotoGP’s local backers are hopeful that they will be able to steer clear of the pitfalls that doomed India’s last international motorsport fixture.

“F1 was a great learning experience for us as well,” said Sinha.

“We spent a couple of years doing compliance studies and ensuring we don’t run into similar problems because to uphold the law of the land is of utmost importance.”

Organizers expect tens of thousands of people to flock to the circuit for the sound of roaring engines and burning rubber.

The action starts on Friday with practice, followed by practice, qualifying and a sprint race on Saturday, with the race on Sunday.

India is the 13th stop of 20 on this year’s MotoGP calendar.

In the previous race, in San Marino, Spaniard Jorge Martin cruised to victory for Ducati satellite team Pramac to close the gap on reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia of Italy.

Bagnaia, on a factory Ducati, leads the championship from Martin by 36 points. There are 25 points for a victory.

Topics: MotoGP India Formula One (F1) F1

ALJ Motors and SAMF introduce the Gazoo Racing Saudi Team

Updated 19 September 2023

SALEH FAREED

September 19, 2023 13:01

ALJ Motors and SAMF introduce the Gazoo Racing Saudi Team

In addition to announcing the team, the team vehicles — Yaris GR, GR 86, and Supra —were unveiled with the new GR team branding

Updated 19 September 2023

SALEH FAREED

September 19, 2023 13:01

JEDDAH: Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, an authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation introduced on Monday the new Gazoo Racing Saudi Team, which is set to participate in the current season of the Saudi Toyota Championship.

The announcement was made at Hussein Jameel Hall in Jeddah with the attendance of ALJM members and senior management, representatives from SAMF and the Ministry of Sports, and prominent Saudi racers Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Dania Akeel.

In addition to announcing the team, the team vehicles — Yaris GR, GR 86, and Supra —were unveiled with the new GR team branding.

Sponsored by Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the team comprises four male drivers — Hamza Bakhashab, Abdullah Kabbani, Mahmoud Abed and Yousef Bahuwirth — and one female driver, Reem Al-Abood, who topped the list of female participants at the recently launched GR Saudi Driving School.

The team will potentially compete in the Autocross, Drift, and Time Attack disciplines at the upcoming event taking place in Al-Ahsa between Sept. 28-30.

“The path to excellence begins with investing in our youth. In line with Vision 2030, initiatives like the GR Saudi Driving School and subsequent launch of the GR Saudi Team (strengthen) the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for motorsports,” said Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of SAMF.

He added: “We are honored to be part of this transformative journey, providing aspiring drivers with unparalleled opportunities. Through our efforts, we are not only nurturing the next generation of motorsports champions but also fostering a culture of determination and success. We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of Saudi talent on both local and global stages.”

The winners were selected following a rigorous training and assessment program that took place at the GR Saudi Driving School at Jeddah Corniche Circuit. As part of the program, the five drivers were coached by Abdullah Bakhashab, Paul Spooner, and Hatim Natto, whose collective wealth of knowledge helped unlock these winners’ potential by becoming the first members of the GR Saudi Team.

Hassan Jameel, chairman of the board of managers at ALJM, said: “In collaboration with SAMF, we are thrilled to announce the GR Saudi Team. This initiative reflects our unwavering dedication to Saudi Arabian motorsports and the next generation of Saudi drivers. By mobilizing the power of strategic partnerships to identify and nurture exceptional talent, the collaboration is proactively contributing to Vision 2030’s ‘Quality of Life’ program. We are proud to have laid the foundations for success, as these athletes go from talented drivers to motorsports champions.”

Topics: Motorsport Gazoo Racing Saudi Team Saudi Arabia

Carlos Sainz marches in with perfect Singapore drive to end Red Bull streak

Updated 17 September 2023

AFP

September 17, 2023 16:19

Carlos Sainz marches in with perfect Singapore drive to end Red Bull streak

Lando Norris was second after a brilliant defensive drive to hold off the Mercedes pair as Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in third

Updated 17 September 2023

AFP

September 17, 2023 16:19

SINGAPORE: Carlos Sainz said Ferrari “didn’t put a foot wrong” as the Spanish driver drove a perfect race to win a thrilling Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday and end Red Bull’s hopes of sweeping every race in 2023.
But an emotional George Russell was close to tears after crashing his Mercedes on the final lap after attempting a late victory charge on fresher tires.
Lando Norris was second after a brilliant defensive drive to hold off the Mercedes pair as Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in third after teammate Russell’s lapse.
Championship leader Max Verstappen, who had won the last 10 races, was only fifth as Red Bull failed to take the chequered flag for the first time this season after a weekend where they were consistently off the pace.
His teammate Sergio Perez crossed the line eighth.
Sainz controlled the night race around the city-center street circuit brilliantly from pole position to take only his second career win, the first coming at the British Grand Prix last year.
“An incredible feeling. We didn’t put a foot wrong all weekend,” said Sainz.
“We nailed the race. We had one opportunity to win a race this year and we did it perfect,” added the Spaniard.
Sainz seemed set for a comfortable win until a virtual safety car 20 laps from the end gave the two Mercedes the chance to change to fresh medium-compound tires.
Russell and Hamilton came out flying and soon reeled in and passed the second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, who finished fourth.
But when they got on the heels of the top two they could not get past as Sainz cleverly backed up to keep his former teammate Norris within DRS (drag reduction system) range so the Englishman could defend second place.
“It was just quite tight at the end. We gave Lando a bit of a cheeky DRS boost to help him and in the end it worked,” said Sainz.
“The safety car forced us to pit earlier than we wanted and I knew it was going to be a long stint on the hards.”
Russell was all over the back of Norris until his challenge ended in the barriers, handing Hamilton the final podium place.
“It’s heartbreaking after such a great weekend,” said Russell. “I feel like I let myself and the team down. It’s tough but we will come back.”
Norris was grateful for the help he received from Sainz, his former teammate.
“Carlos was very generous trying to help me get DRS. It helped my race and it also helped his,” said Norris.
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly was sixth, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri seventh.
Rookie Liam Lawson picked up his first championship points in ninth for AlphaTauri on only his third Formula One start and Haas’s Kevin Magnussen rounded out the top 10 points scorers.
Sainz began the race smoothly to take the lead with Leclerc slotting into second and there was little action until Logan Sargeant prompted a safety car when he lost the front wing of his Williams on lap 20.
A flurry of pit-lane activity followed as all the leaders headed in for fresh hard tires to take them to the end of the 62-lap race.
Leclerc was held up double-stacking behind Sainz and Russell and Norris emerged in front of the Monegasque.
The order was unchanged until Esteban Ocon’s engine gave out causing a virtual safety car with 18 laps left.
It prompted the Mercedes pair to dive in for fresh medium tires as the leaders stayed out.
It put the pair behind Leclerc but they were lapping two seconds quicker and soon swept past the Monegasque and closed on Norris until Russell’s error cost him a podium place.
Verstappen is still a runaway favorite to claim a third world title but the all-conquering Dutchman has still never taken the chequered flag in Singapore.
He now cannot clinch the title until the Qatar GP in three weeks’ time, but said the team would bounce back at next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, where the track will suit them better.
“I had fun in the second stint. We were quite quick on the medium compound,” said Verstappen, who increased his lead over Perez to 151 points with seven races to go.
“I think we will be quick in Suzuka.”

Topics: Motorsport Formula One Formula 1 F1 Singapore Singapore Grand Prix Carlos Sainz Jr. Ferrari

Team Abu Dhabi’s Emirati superstar Al-Qemzi secures 4th F2 powerboat world title

Updated 17 September 2023

Arab News

September 17, 2023 18:10

Team Abu Dhabi’s Emirati superstar Al-Qemzi secures 4th F2 powerboat world title

Al-Qemzi’s teammate Mansoor Al-Mansoori joined him on the podium with a superb drive to third place after starting fifth

Updated 17 September 2023

Arab News

September 17, 2023 18:10

LONDON: Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qemzi secured his fourth UIM F2 World Championship title on Sunday with a perfect tactical drive, as Lithuania’s Edgaras Riabko recorded victory at the Grand Prix of Portugal.

A second-placed finish for the Emirati driver in the penultimate round of the 2023 championship, following his grand prix victories in Lithuania and Italy, was enough to add to his previous F2 triumphs in 2017, 2019 and 2021.

Adding to the celebrations for Team Abu Dhabi at Peso da Regua in northern Portugal, Al-Qemzi’s teammate Mansoor Al-Mansoori joined him on the podium with a superb drive to third place after starting fifth.

After seeing pole position snatched away from him by Riabko 24 hours earlier, Al-Qemzi was narrowly held off by the Lithuanian as they battled from the start to gain the advantage at the first turn on the Douro River circuit.

From that point onwards, Al-Qemzi settled into his rhythm, content to hold second place with his two closest rivals, Monaco’s Giacomo Sacchi and Estonian Stefan Arand, well in arrears.

Playing an important role on the day, Al-Mansoori climbed two places over the first four laps to take control of third place, offering his teammate protection in the event of any threat from behind.

It failed to materialize, however, with Sacchi making a premature exit through mechanical problems, while Arand was forced to settle for fifth place.

Celebrating at the finish with Al-Mansoori and the rest of the Team Abu Dhabi lineup, Al-Qemzi will now target a third victory of the season in the season’s final grand prix, on the Tagus River in Vila Velha de Rodao next Sunday.

It was there two years ago that he recorded a second grand prix victory in the space of eight days to wrap up his third F2 world title.

Al-Qemzi had arrived in Portugal full of confidence, holding a 16-point championship lead over Sacchi. His only worrying moment came in Saturday’s free practice session when he flipped and damaged his boat.

It was repaired in rapid time by the Team Abu Dhabi technicians, allowing Al-Qemzi to qualify in a comfortable second place, on his way to joining Sweden’s Erik Stark in the record books as a four-time F2 world champion.

It also means that Guido Cappellini has delivered 17 world championship titles to the UAE capital since he took charge as Team Abu Dhabi manager eight years ago.

Topics: Motorsport Powerboating UAE Rashed Al-Qemzi Team Abu Dhabi

Verstappen’s winning run in F1 is in doubt after qualifying 11th in Singapore with Sainz on pole

Updated 16 September 2023

September 16, 2023 21:07

Verstappen’s winning run in F1 is in doubt after qualifying 11th in Singapore with Sainz on pole

Carlos Sainz Jr. took pole for the race for Ferrari on Sunday ahead of George Russell of Mercedes
“It’s the best opportunity since the beginning of the season, for sure” for other teams to stop a Red Bull sweep of winning every race in 2023, Leclerc said

Updated 16 September 2023

September 16, 2023 21:07

SINGAPORE: Max Verstappen’s historic run of 10 Formula One wins in a row looks set to end after he qualified down in 11th place on Saturday for the Singapore Grand Prix.
Carlos Sainz Jr. took pole for the race for Ferrari on Sunday ahead of George Russell of Mercedes and the second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc as Verstappen’s Red Bull team had its worst qualifying results of the season.
“It’s the best opportunity since the beginning of the season, for sure” for other teams to stop a Red Bull sweep of winning every race in 2023, Leclerc said.
Verstappen, the runaway championship leader after his record-breaking 10th straight win at the Italian Grand Prix, was eliminated by .007 seconds in the second session by rookie Liam Lawson of sister team AlphaTauri.
Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez was 13th after a spin. The two drivers have won every race this season between them.
Verstappen told his team over the radio that it was an “absolutely shocking experience.”
He later added: “It is of course very hard to pass in Singapore on the street circuit so I’m not expecting a lot tomorrow. We’ve had so many successful weekends this year, we can be proud of what we have achieved so far. It’s more important that we understand where we are going wrong this weekend.”
Verstappen has won races this season from sixth on the grid in Belgium and ninth in Miami, but the Red Bull car performed better on those tracks than it has so far in Singapore. He and Perez — who called qualifying a “complete disaster” — have repeatedly said the car feels unbalanced in the many slow corners in Singapore.
Verstappen avoided a grid penalty despite being under investigation in three cases of allegedly impeding other drivers. He received a reprimand — the first he has had this season — for stopping near the pit exit and another reprimand and 5,000-euro ($5,340) fine for slowing down Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri. Verstappen was found not at fault in a case of impeding Williams driver Logan Sargeant. He said he had been trying to avoid a crash in heavy traffic.
Sainz took pole — for the second straight race — by .072 seconds from Russell. Sainz, who finished third in Italy behind Verstappen and Perez, said it might be easier to win in Singapore than in Italy despite concerns over Ferrari’s race pace.
“I’m more confident mainly because of the track layout. I think it’s a bit easier to hold onto a track position,” Sainz said. He added that Ferrari might have less pace in the race than other teams including Mercedes. “It could be that tomorrow we have to run, yet again, a bit of a defensive race but I don’t discount that even around this track we could hold on to our P1.”
Russell said the hot, humid conditions in Singapore were “like you’re sat in a sauna,” and praised Mercedes for finding the right setup for the city streets.
“This is a great opportunity this weekend to get a victory,” said Russell, who added Mercedes had conserved tires over the weekend to give it more strategy options in the race than rival teams.
Lando Norris starts fourth for McLaren, ahead of Lewis Hamilton in fifth for Mercedes. Kevin Magnussen is sixth for Haas, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso seventh, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon eighth, the second Haas of Nico Hulkenberg ninth and Lawson 10th.
The first qualifying session was red-flagged when Lance Stroll lost control of his Aston Martin and speared into the wall on the final corner. The Canadian was able to walk away and said he was unhurt.
The crash caused a lengthy delay as crews worked to clear away the debris and repair the barrier.
One of those to lose out was McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who only narrowly missed the wreckage of Stroll’s car and couldn’t complete his lap before the red flag came out leaving him 18th. Stroll was 20th and last.
With Alonso qualifying seventh, the incident was a reminder of Stroll’s underwhelming record this season at the team headed by his father, Lawrence Stroll. Alonso has racked up 170 points to Stroll’s 47 and the Canadian has not reached the podium this season.

Topics: Max Verstappen F1 Red Bull Racing Singapore F1 Grand Prix Carlos Sainz Jr.

Al-Rajhi leads Tabuk-NEOM rally after qualifiers

Al-Rajhi leads Tabuk-NEOM rally after qualifiers

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla-Neom Cross-Country Rally races to life

Al-Rajhi improvises to seal dramatic victory in AlUla-Neom Cross-Country Rally

India revs up for maiden MotoGP at circuit where F1 stalled

India revs up for maiden MotoGP at circuit where F1 stalled

World champion Francesco Bagnaia avoids Marquez mayhem to win MotoGP opener

Legendary MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi to compete at Hankook 24-hour Dubai race

ALJ Motors and SAMF introduce the Gazoo Racing Saudi Team

ALJ Motors and SAMF introduce the Gazoo Racing Saudi Team

Saudi Toyota Championship 2023 hill climb highlights Kingdom’s thriving motorsport talent

Taif revs up for Saudi Toyota 2023 Championship finale

Carlos Sainz marches in with perfect Singapore drive to end Red Bull streak

Carlos Sainz marches in with perfect Singapore drive to end Red Bull streak

Verstappen’s winning run in F1 is in doubt after qualifying 11th in Singapore with Sainz on pole

Max Verstappen wins Italian Grand Prix for record 10th straight F1 victory

Team Abu Dhabi’s Emirati superstar Al-Qemzi secures 4th F2 powerboat world title

Team Abu Dhabi’s Emirati superstar Al-Qemzi secures 4th F2 powerboat world title

UAE’s Rashed Al-Qemzi has won the Grand Prix of Italy for Team Abu Dhabi

UAE’s Rashed Al-Qemzi takes pole at Grand Prix of Italy

Verstappen’s winning run in F1 is in doubt after qualifying 11th in Singapore with Sainz on pole

Verstappen’s winning run in F1 is in doubt after qualifying 11th in Singapore with Sainz on pole

Max Verstappen wins Italian Grand Prix for record 10th straight F1 victory

Carlos Sainz’s team claim long-awaited victory at Desert X Prix Round 2 in NEOM

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Al-Rajhi leads Tabuk-NEOM rally after qualifiers

Al-Rajhi leads Tabuk-NEOM rally after qualifiers

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