JEDDAH, 12 January 2005 — A new titanium “superbike” will carry the hopes of Saudi Prince Saud ibn Turki ibn Saud ibn Abdul Aziz in the Red Bull Reach the Top that roars off today under floodlights at Moreb Hill.
For the two-day motor sport showdown, Prince Saud has decided to make the move up into Quad Class One to compete under the banner of “Dubike,” one of the teams participating in the challenge.
“Red Bull Reach the Top gives the chance for drivers and bikers from the Kingdom and the rest of the GCC to compete in a well organized environment, and this is why we are keen to participate in conquering one of the highest sands dunes in the world,” Prince Saud said.
“I always look to participate in this challenge, and I care less if I win or lose, what I really care for is to compete with high calibered drivers and share expertise in a very competing and exciting environment. I really appreciate this challenge which helps the youth practicing their hobbies away from the streets,” he added.
Prince Saud explained that his new Quad is very powerful, engineered with a Type Punchee 460 CC engine able to climb the Moreb hill in 8 seconds and that he will do his best to achieve an honorable result.
But it’s the arrival of the quad that has Dubike team chief Jaber Khoury predicting a super time for this ‘superbike.’
“At just 105 kg, the prince’s quad will be the lightest in the competition. It has just come to Dubai. It’s very impressive, being made completely of titanium and capable of around 120-160 bhp. With the power that the engine can produce, coupled with the lightness of the chassis, I believe we can see off the opposition and claim first place in the class,” Khoury said.
“Although we’ve been racing up Moreb Hill since 2000, the event has improved 100 percent since Red Bull took over last year. Word has now spread as to how good it was last year and I expect more and more people to come along this week not only to watch but also to take par,” Khoury added.
“This is not the first time that I participate at the RTT, but I benefited from the previous participation to modify my bike, and I think that the time has come for good results. I Spent a whole year in preparations and training and I really care about winning the challenge and beating Tel Moreb,” Capt. Ahmad Al-Sheggawi commented on his participation.
Driver Mohammed Sultan, from Makkah, who is considered to have one of the best cars in the region, said: “Moreb beats the cars and breaks the hearts, and this is why I worked so hard to own one of the best cars in Saudi Arabia. It’s a 1981 Land Cruiser powered with Nitrogen and an engine of 1500 HP and a maximum reached speed of 250 kmph. I’ll, with God’s will, climb Moreb in nine seconds.”
“This is a unique car, and very few own a similar one in the entire region, it cost me more then SR 70000 including the especially imported engine from the United States, Sultan said.
While the quads and motorbikes will have the spotlight on the first day, day two will see the powerful 4WDs take center stage as they take on the challenge of the sprint up the imposing 300 m face of Moreb Hill.
