JEDDAH, 12 April 2006 — Many qualified and experienced Saudi drivers are expected to participate in the Mobily Star Autocross 2006, which begins here today. The two-day first round of the race is being held at a specially laid racetrack at Durrat Al-Arus.
“The Jeddah race is part of the three-round autocross event taking place across Saudi Arabia,” ace rally driver Abdullah Bakhashab told a press conference at the Toyota Center on Monday night. This will be followed by one in Alkhobar and another in Riyadh. Mobily, Toyota, Mobil 1 and Al Bilad newspaper are among the sponsors of the event.
“All arrangements have been finalized for the first two-day round here,” said Bakhashab who was accompanied by Toyota Marketing Manager Essam Nawar and Abuljadayel Beverages Marketing Manager Luay Sayyed.
A racetrack has been specially prepared for this purpose, Bakhashab said, adding that he expects a large turnout of fans and enthusiasts.
“The race track will surprise many as it is equipped with the latest technical needed for such races,” he said, adding that there has been an enthusiastic response from well qualified and experienced Saudi drivers to take part in the races in the three cities.
The Alkhobar round is set for July 12-13 and the Riyadh round for Nov. 22-23.
Mansour Al-Qhatani, who holds the fastest Saudi driver title for 2005, was presented with the championship cup from Bakhashab. “This will encourage me to even do better in the coming events,” Al-Qhatani remarked.
According to the competition rules, the winner for three successive years will earn the right to keep the cup.
Bakhashab said that it had been the effort of the organizers to combine this sport with amusement in the larger interest of families and society. “All participation fees directly go to Al Bir Charitable Society,” he said, adding that fee collection was presented to Al Bir Manager Mahmoud Bakays.
Explaining the format of the first round, he said all participants would be classified in groups after passing the technical test and depending on the type of car they would use. Cars will be judged on the basis of their engine capacity. “In fact, all international autocross rules will apply,” Bakhashab added.
In the autocross race held last year, Majed Al-Ghamdi did well and came close to champion Mansour Al-Qahtani. One other driver who excelled was Ahmad Al-Taib. “This time, we expect some new drivers to take part,” Bakhashab said in reply to a question.
