Monday, Sep 23, 2013

Abu Dhabi: Mohammad Al Sahlawi is all set to be the second Emirati driver to make his debut at the World Rally Championship this season with Abu Dhabi Racing.

Just nine months into his first season of competitive motorsport, Al Sahlawi will compete in next month’s Spanish round of the 2013 WRC series alongside co-driver Allan Harryman in an Abu Dhabi Citroen DS3 R3 2WD.

Al Sahlawi, along with compatriot Mohammad Al Mutawaa, qualified from a three-day Citroen selection programme in the UAE capital last November. They will now be part of the five-car Abu Dhabi Racing team in this year’s FIA Middle East Rally Championship.

Al Sahlawi, who will be contesting in the Rally De Espana, the penultimate round of the WRC series on October 25-27, expressed his confidence and excitement at the task at hand.

“This is a great opportunity for me,” he said. “It has always been a dream for me to drive a rally car and, thanks to Abu Dhabi Racing, I’m doing it.

“I’m thrilled to get the chance to compete in my first WRC event. I’m really looking forward to meeting all the other drivers and to gaining new experience. My aim is to learn as much as I can, and have as much seat time as possible.”

Teammate Al Mutawaa’s WRC opportunity came when Abu Dhabi Racing readjusted its 2013 rally programme following doubts over the Middle East Championship events in Lebanon and Cyprus.

The switch saw Al Mutawaa get his maiden WRC break in last month’s Rallye Deutschland, and he and Al Sahlawi will now team up in Spain.

Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi, the Abu Dhabi Racing team member, will also be in action there.

Shaikh Khalid was pleased to see Al Mutawaa go the distance in Germany, where he finished third in the WRC3 two-wheel drive class and 40th overall alongside co-driver Stephen McAuley in his Abu Dhabi Citroen DS3 R3 2WD.

“He [Al-Mutawaa] did well and gained a lot of good experience,” said Shaikh Khalid. “Our mission is to provide many more opportunities for young Emirati drivers in international motorsport, and it’s vital that they appreciate the chance they’re being given, and absorb as much as they can.”

Staff Report

Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.