Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum was relishing a deserving victory at the Spring Rally in Umm Al Quwain, but it is Ahmad Bin Souqat who still holds the overall championship lead at the end of two rounds.
Shaikh Suhail overcame initial snags in his Land Rover before powering his way to a strong finish ahead of defending champion Ahmad Bin Souqat late on Friday.
After hitting such form, Shaikh Suhail wants to carry it forward during the Middle East Rally Championship.
"It's definitely very pleasing to win after a long time," Shaikh Suhail told Gulf News from Umm Al Quwain. Shaikh Suhail charted out a terse plan for dethroning the defending champion.
"The initial idea was to just keep Ahmad [Bin Souqat] within reach during the first three stages and then make the move," Shaikh Suhail said.
This worked to perfection as Shaikh Suhail surrendered a slender three-second lead to Bin Souqat at the end of the first leg.
Accosting him all along were minor snags in the form of failed brakes, a loose clutch and even some problems with the steering.
However, Shaikh Suhail managed to hold the vehicle together till they assembled for the service at the end of the first three stages.
"I think the vehicle needed a shake up as it had not run for quite some time," Shaikh Suhail explained.
Once he had changed the gear box, there was no stopping Shaikh Suhail and his Land Rover as they raced ahead for a 50-second lead at the end of the fourth stage.
"After this lead, I knew I had to just keep our focus and the rest would fall in line," he said.
By the end of the eight stages, Shaikh Suhail was ahead by nearly two minutes from Liberty Damas team challenger, Bin Souqat and Jasem Al Baloushi.
"I hope we have turned a lucky corner with this win," Shaikh Suhail said.
At the end of the second round of the six-round UAE Rally Championship:
1. Ahmad Bin Souqat/Jasem Al Baloushi (28 pts); 2. Abdullah Bin Humaidan/Majid Al Suwaidi (21); 3. Ali Mattar/Ali Mirza (12); 4. Raed Baker/Nabeel Ahmadi (10); 5. Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum/Wael Marjan (10); 6. Ali Al Shawi/Rashid Al Shamsi (9); 7. Sadiq Fazal/Imad Nabhan (8); 8. Obaid Al Hathboor/Abdul Halim Al Bousaidi (6); 9. Jamal Al Saddah/Mohammad Bin Beleila (4); 10. Mohammad Osman/Jameel Dhahir (2).
Gulf News
