RIYADH: Two wheels or four — it makes no difference to Russ Swift, England Autotest Team founder. If it involves Minis, then no one can do more with less than he can. Guinness world record holder for parallel parking and “J” turns in the tightest space, Swift was a major attraction at the inaugural Bison Mini Cup at Al Reem International Circuit in Riyadh last week.
The sponsored championship, which involves 10 teams each driving race-prepared Mini Coopers will compete over six rounds this year to establish a national champion.
Prince Khalid Al Faisal, whose team sported two entrants, said of the event that; “The championship will be supervised by motor sport and motor racing experts to ensure the most serious and fair participation for all the teams.”
The championship is an attractive and easily accessible way of entering motor sport. The Mini brand still holds strong appeal for they youth market and that is the area Reiner Braun, Director of Sales and Marketing at Mohammed Naghi Motors who co-sponsored the event feels will encourage latent talent to develop.
“This first professional race series in Saudi Arabia will not only enthral a new generation of race enthusiasts but uncover a host of Saudi talent and catapult them onto the world stage for greater success,” he said.
For two years during its attempt to organize the Mini Cup in the Kingdom and make it the first in the Middle East region, Pro-Race headed by Prince Khalid and Mohammed Al Naghi Motors were hampered by the lack of a fully equipped racing circuit and the lack of a motor sport authority here. With a nod of approval from the Presidency for Youth Welfare and the offer of the well-equipped Al Reem circuit, that has all changed.
The Mini Cooper Works cars, each compliant with FIA regulations, are equipped with full safety cage, five point seat belts and automatic fire-fighting system. In true Cooper S style, the 1205kg cars have supercharged engines that produce 215 horsepower delivered through a six-speed box to racing slicks.
Majid Al Ghamdi of the Al Faisal Racing team emerged as the first round winner despite being beaten by Bandar Alireza on the track. After setting the quickest qualifying time and taking pole position, Al Ghamdi stoutly defended his position for ten laps until Alireza slipped past him to take the flag. However, Paul Spooner chief race referee, disqualified Alireza for a starting grid infringement.
In a moment of pure sportsmanship Al Ghamdi, when receiving the winner’s cup from Prince Sultan Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, said, “I thank God for this win, the competition was tough and Bandar is a very strong driver and deserved to win. However, the decision was not mine.”
Yousef Bamokadem – an underrated driver who very much made his mark in the race took second place and Midhat Al Ardh third.
Walid Karanoh, head of media relations for the championship, said that the Bison Mini Cup gave an opportunity for fledgling talent to get involved in a professional motor-sport organization for very little money. It was, he said, more than just a round of races for wealthy young people; it was more a search for future winners.
“The next step in the development of the Mini Cup is that Prince Khalid is organizing a Mini school to open opportunities for young drivers. The best from the school will get an opportunity to engage with Pro-Race and go further in race cars,” said Karanoh. To encourage drivers to the sport, arrangements for low terms payment to purchase a car and introduction to sponsor contacts are under discussion.
The next round of the Bison Mini Cup will take place on March 5 at the Al Reem circuit.
