JEDDAH: Mohammad Al-Orabi took 1st place in the 5th round of Toyota Karting Training race at IN 10 SO in the Serafi Mega Mall complex over the weekend.
Al-Orabi ranked first after a marvelous challenge involving 40 rounds clocking 00:21:282. He started 4th and then struggled to pass all drivers to stay in front until the last round.
“It was fantastic to see the crowed being so happy and I am really happy, too,” Al-Orabi said. “It was very important for me to get through and in the top-section, but my lap was very nice and I hope to give the Saudi enthusiasts a great victory in the upcoming round. The competition was hard and good.”
Fourteen competitors driving Tony Kart, the official car and the winner of world karting championship, started an experimental tour within the track for 10 minutes. Thereafter, they started the first qualifying round for 20 minutes, followed by a rest for 15 minutes to start the second qualifying round also for 10 minutes. As the race for professionals went on, experienced drivers seemed to be in control with their fast driving in front of the newly and experienced drivers. This round was an interesting one full of actions and amusements, especially among professional drivers such as Abdullah Al-Mutari, the winner of the 3rd and 4th rounds of the race, and Ahmad Al-Nahdi and Hassan Al-Sharbatly, both of whom managed to be 2nd with 00:21:343. In the 3rd position was Ahmad Al-Nahdi clocking 0:21:370.
ALJ-Toyota was the main sponsor of the race, supported by Mobil 1 and IN 10 SO. The race was held under the supervision of the Saudi Committee for Motorsport and the Presidency of Youth Welfare.
Bandar Osman of ALJ’s marketing department congratulated the winners and Abdullah Bakhashab, veteran Saudi rally driver who organized the event, for successfully conducting the competition and bringing the soul of F1 to the Kingdom.
Abdul Majeed Al-Gamal, IN 10 SO manager, expressed his happiness over the participation of Saudis in national and international races.
“The event was a big success and the number of participants also increased,” said Bakhashab. “This is a clear indication of the growing popularity of karting in the Kingdom.”
