Emiratis want to keep the cheers going at Dubai International Rally

With National Day approaching a celebratory mood prevails in the UAE and now the countrys two leading rally stars are hoping to add to the cheers with success at the Dubai International Rally this weekend.

After winning in 2005 and 2006 but falling short since, Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi is hoping to soar once again in the Dubai International Rally this weekend. Courtesy World Rally Championship

DUBAI // With National Day approaching a celebratory mood prevails in the country. Dubai’s successful bid for the World Expo 2020 has only added to the atmosphere and now the UAE’s two leading rally stars are hoping to add to the cheers with success at the Dubai International Rally this weekend.

No Emirati driver has won the Dubai round of the Middle East Rally Championship (Merc) since Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi’s back-to-back success in 2005 and 2006 as Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah has triumphed for the past six years.

The chairman of Abu Dhabi Racing now, Sheikh Khalid has been frustrated by misfortune since as he has hunted for an elusive third triumph.

Rashid Al Ketbi of Skydive Dubai Team has suffered from similar frustrations over the past three years.

In 2010, he was in second and chasing victory when a roll put him out of the race.

A year later, he was leading at the halfway point, but had to eventually settle for second as Al Attiyah stormed through the second leg to finish ahead of the Emirati.

Al Ketbi finished third last year, but the two Emiratis are determined to stop the Qatari this time.

“We are going through a good mood,” said Sheikh Khalid, who will be partnered by regular British co-driver Scott Martin in his Abu Dhabi Citroen Total DS3.

“We have the National Day coming up and Dubai has won the World Expo 2020, which is great news for the country.

“So the atmosphere, coming into the rally, is really good, and I hope I can win here.

“It is my home event. Unfortunately, I have crashed out of this rally six times.”

Sheikh Khalid, who has also competed in the World Rally Championship (WRC) this season, said his aspirations had been hurt in the past by going all out for victory, but that he would not change his approach.

“This is the most times I have been out of a rally and it’s because I keep pushing to win it,” he said.

“When you push the limits, you can go out as well. Three times when I went out, I was leading the rally. So Nasser won it because he was there in the race and I did not win it because I went out. I have not been lucky, but that was God’s wish. We will go in with the same strategy to push and try to win this rally.”

Al Ketbi also looks confident after a strong performance in the WRC2 category of the WRC this season, where he finished third in France, fourth in Monte Carlo and fifth in Greece.

“Every driver here, his target is to win the rally and it is no different for us,” said Al Ketbi, who will be partnered by German lady co-driver Karina Hepperle in the Skydive Dubai Ford Fiesta RRC.

“We are ready and we will do our maximum, and then whatever God decides for us, we will be happy with that.

“Hopefully I can add to the mood of celebrations in the country.” However, Al Attiyah, who has already won his ninth Merc with success in four of the first five rounds, has promised not to take his foot of the pedal as he looks to keep his Dubai winning streak going by making it seven on the trot.

“OK, I have already won the Middle East Championship, but this Dubai Rally is really important for me, and I want to win this race,” the Qatari said. “I have a lot of good experiences here and this is also an opportunity for me to prepare for next season. So I am still here with the sole intention of finishing at the top of the podium.”

The event consists of 12 stages, six today and six tomorrow. Today’s action is due to begin with the opening stage at 10.26am.

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