Suhail takes the early advantage

Friday, Dec 08, 2006

Dubai: Defending UAE Rallying Champion Shaikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum powered himself at the top of the lot at the end of the prologue of the 1000 Dunes rally yesterday.

Co-driven by Wael Marjan in their Land Rover, Shaikh Suhail was timed at 5 minutes, six seconds over the spectators stage held off the junction close to the Hatta road.

Shaikh Hamad Bin Eid Al Thani and Nook Bu Humaid were second best with a time of 5:28 in their Nissan Patrol, while Ahmad Bin Humaidan and Majid Al Suwaidi were third with 5:35.

Former Damas Liberty Team driver Ahmad Bin Souqat and Jasim Al Baloushi were timed in fourth at 5:39 minutes in their Nissan Patrol.

"I am happy with the way we drove today and the steady drive has been portrayed in the good timing we have against our name," Shaikh Suhail told Gulf News.

Going into the third and final round of the 4x4 UAE Rally Championship, Shaikh Suhail and Marjan know that they are among the handful of drivers having a realistic chance of winning the overall title this year.

"But the focus at this moment is to ensure that we come back with the car intact," Shaikh Suhail said.

"The Land Rover definitely gives me an advantage and I want to ensure that we win at least something this year."

Shaikh Suhail was placed second in the third round of the saloon cars rally two weeks back, thereby handing over the saloon title to Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi.

"And then we lost out on the Dubai International Rally last week. We need to win this rally, so that we can at least end the season with one title," Shaikh Suhail said.

Bin Souqat, who has been a hesistant participant on the local scene this season, hoped his Nissan Patrol is competitive over the next two days in the harsh desert terrain.

"There is some very hard work ahead of us right now. Shaikh Suhail has the experience and the advantage in his vehicle. But we hope we can give them a tough fight and finish the season on a winning note," he said.

He was grateful to former 1000 Dunes winner Raed Baker for offering to support him this year.

Raed Baker, a former winner of the 1000 Dunes in 2003, was in fifth in a time of 5:44, same as that of Sadiq Fadhel in his Toyota Landcruiser.

"I have been a bit rusty, but hopefully things will be different tomorrow," Baker said.

"I would have loved to finish in the top three, but it is okay to be in the top five in these conditions."

Today's Leg 1 of the rally will be flagged off from Uptown in Mirdiff at 2 pm.