JEDDAH, 27 November 2007 — It’s all systems go for the final round in the Mobily Saudi Star autocross in Madinah. The two-day event roars off tomorrow.
A group of special engineers has designed a more challenging track with a slew of curves and hairpin turns. The circuit length exceeded 1,300 meters and was punctuated with hairpin turns and obstacles. Special digital timing system will be used. Hundreds of spectators are expected to see the drivers competing in two laps in their own cars tomorrow night.
On Thursday night, they will compete in two more laps, again in their own vehicles before competing in the final two laps driving Toyota Camry to determine the Kingdom autocross champion. The event is sponsored by Mobily marking the first time that a telecommunication company supports motorsport in the Kingdom. The co-sponsors are Toyota and Mobil 1 with Okaz newspapers the media sponsor.
Thousands of motorsport fans including families, children, and youngsters are expected as usual to gather around the circuit to watch the race.
About 33 amateur drivers will take part in the event. The main aim behind organizing such event is to assess and develop driving talents and skills. The event is hoped to help discover new generation of future rally drivers.
The drivers will be divided into seven groups and each group members will compete among themselves. The drivers, with their cars, will be categorized into 7 classes depending on the capacity and the power of engine, car size and year of manufacture.
The classes will be: 1. Super stock (SS) for ultra high performance sport cars 2. A Stock (AS) for high performance sport cars 3. PA – sport cars and GT’s 4. C Stock (CS) for small size compact cars 5. D Stock (DS) for intermediate size sedan 6. F Stock (FS) for sedans and coupes 7. (BS) for medium size coupes
Each driver will be allowed to drive 2 trials. The best time (the lowest time inclusive of pylon penalties, if any) in a particular run will be taken for ranking in each class.
“A judge and 12 marshals around the track will control the track. If any body hits the barrier, the marshals flag him and the driver will lose one point “
Fadi Hamadah was the winner of the first round in Jeddah with a clocking of 01:50:581. In the second round in Alkhobar Majed Al Ghamdi managed to win first place. They will be among the competitors looking to become the Kingdom autocross champion in the next two days.
Stressing the importance of organizing autocross championship in Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Bakhashab said that autocross is popular in the Arab world and that several Arab countries organize championships throughout the year.
“We have prepared several studies concerning motor sports development and found that a high percentage of youngsters wish to see sports event and activities organized locally in Saudi Arabia “ Bakhashab said . The event will be under the supervision of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare in Madinah. For more information, please contact Abdullah Bakhashab Est. – PR Department c/o
Mohammed Nassar at mobile phone: 0509375856, fax: 6520310, tel.: 6520360 or E-mail: [email protected].
