JEDDAH, 30 January 2005 — Sultan Bagdadi of Riyadh was crowned “Saudi Star” at the first autocross event, which had its final rounds here on Friday night. By virtue of the title, he becomes the fastest driver in the Kingdom.
“I’m immensely pleased to become the first Saudi star of the autocross event so well organized by Saudi rally champion Abdullah Bakhashab,” Baghdadi said on being decorated with the title.
Bagdadi clocked 1.30.364 mt, with Fadi Hamadeh of Jeddah (1.31.418 mt) and Mansour Al-Qahtani of Alkhobar (1.31.654) emerging second and third respectively in the first ever event organized by Bakhashab Motor Sports Development.
Prince Khaled ibn Sultan ibn Abdullah Al-Faisal of Jeddah (1.32.477 mt) was fourth, although he had clocked better in the earlier rounds on Thursday night. “I’m disappointed today although I did so well a day before, but hope to do well in the future,” the prince told media representatives. Mohamed Balawi and Hasan Al-Hamadi, both from Alkhobar, won fifth and six positions respectively.
“Bagdadi has become the fastest driver in the Kingdom by virtue of winning Saudi star title,” Bakhashab said. “The first autocross event has turned out to be a great event for me and for hundreds of spectators who thronged the venue for two days,” he added.
The drivers took two laps on Thursday night and two more on Friday night. After completing four laps each, all group winners took part in the final Citroen challenge.
“We had 22 participants originally listed, but unfortunately three of them, all from Riyadh, retired because of car faults, so 19 drivers took part in the event. They included eight each from Jeddah and Alkhobar and three from Riyadh,” Bakhashab told Arab News.
Bakhashab personally designed and supervised the one-kilometer-long autocross circuit with some steep turns. The circuit was of international standard, on par with the Paris-based Federation International Automotive (FIA) specifications, said Waleed Karanouh, PR and media relations consultant, who was the official commentator of the autocross event.
Hundreds of spectators saw the drivers competing in two laps in their own cars on Thursday night. On Friday night, they competed in two more laps, again in their own vehicles. Winners in six groups were decided on the basis of the least time they clocked in the four laps - Fadi Hamadeh of Jeddah (AS category), Sultan Bagdadi of Riyadh (DS), Hasan Hamadeh of Alkhobar (BS), Mansour Al-Qahtani of Alkhobar (CS), (Mohamed Balawi of Alkhobar (FS) and (Prince Khaled Al-Faisal of Jeddah (SS). All these winners finally took part in the Citroen Challenge that determined the fastest driver of the Kingdom.
