Friday, Sep 22, 2006

Dubai: Shaikh Abdullah Al Qasimi hopes to shrug off early gear-box problems as he prepares to challenge defending UAE champion Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum in the opening stage of the Emirates Motor Sports Federation-organised RAK Rally today.

Shaikh Abdullah and Sadiq Fadhel finished last night's Spectators Stage with an identical time of two minutes, 12 seconds, while Shaikh Suhail was placed third in his Land Rover behind the duo with a time of 2.13.

Fadhel will start this afternoon's first stage in pole position while Shaikh Abdullah will follow in second in his Range Rover.

Hamad Bin Eid will start fourth in his Nissan Patrol after he finished the Prologue with a time of 2.14, while Ali Mattar drove his Nissan Patrol to a time of 2.16 for the fifth spot.

"We are happy with what we have achieved. We have done better than the two best drivers in this rally. This is our chance and we hope we can take it," Fadhel told Gulf News.

Though finishing second best on the night, defending UAE champion Shaikh Suhail was willing to throw in a challenge for the top spot.

Erratic clutch

"There are no issues with the car and that is good for a start. I did not want to risk the car, and the difference is just one second," Shaikh Suhail stated.

"I do not have anything to lose and we will be opting for an all-out attack tomorrow," Shaikh Suhail promised.

Pushing behind his disappointment of an erratic clutch, Shaikh Abdullah hoped he can sort out these minor issues and be a serious contender.

"It's a completely new set-up for the car, and I really don't know what went wrong. But the support team will have a look tonight and sort out the problems," he said.

Shaikh Abdullah is also relishing a challenge for the top honours with another two rounds of the UAE Rally Championship still to go. "It's a three-way fight between Shaikh Khalid, Shaikh Suhail and myself. And I think I have the edge because I drive on notes," he said.

The first of two stages will start at 2.30pm from the Al Manar Mall in Ras Al Khaimah.

Results

Grid for the first stage of RAK Rally starting at 2.30pm today: 1. Sadiq Fadhel/Imad Nabhan (2 mins, 12 secs); 2. Shaikh Abdullah Al Qasimi/Gaby Khoury (2.12); 3. Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum/Wael Marjan (2.13); 4. Hamad Bin Eid/Nooh Bu Humaid (2.14); 5. Ali Mattar/Ali Mirza (2.16).

Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.