DUBAI // Still seething over the way he was stripped off his Middle East Rally Championship (Merc) title last year, Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi has had enough of the Merc’s “dirty politics” and he has decided to focus his energies on building Abu Dhabi Racing’s brand internationally.
Last November, Sheikh Khalid had edged Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah by the smallest margin (0.03 seconds) in the history of the championships to win the Dubai International Rally, the final round of the Merc.
Victory on his home turf had also allowed Sheikh Khalid to beat Al Attiyah to the Merc title by a single point, but the Qatari challenged the results, complaining to race stewards that the Abu Dhabi Racing (ADR) driver had infringed rules by “cutting corners”.
The stewards rejected his claims, but Al Attiyah took the matter to the FIA’s International Court of Appeal, who stripped Sheikh Khalid of both his titles.
“Last year I won the Dubai Rally and I won the championship, but a week later there were some political maneuverings,” said Sheikh Khalid, who is back to challenge for Dubai International Rally honours onboard his ADR Citroen DS 3 RRC.
However, Al Attiyah is not returning to Dubai as he has already assured of the title, his 11th Merc crown.
“It was unfair and I don’t want to talk about it, but we know everything that happened behind our backs, in secret,” Sheikh Khalid said.
“It was a joke, but I did not want to put my white flag out. Instead, I decided to do the first two or three races and to see and evaluate the championship.
“Unfortunately, the championship is going from bad to worse. No cars, no competition but more politics.
“So I decided neither me nor the juniors will participate in this championship anymore. We will focus on being in the world championships, international events, building more experience aboard and building our brand internationally, and giving the benefit to our juniors.”
That decision does not apply to the prestigious two-day Dubai International Rally, which starts today. Sheikh Khalid is heading an impressive entry list for the event, which includes eight UAE rally drivers in a total line-up of 17.
Three junior drivers from the Abu Dhabi Racing stables – Mohamed Al Mutawaa, Saeed Bintouq and Mansoor Belhelei – will also be taking part, onboard their Citroen DS 3 R3.
Sheikh Abdullah Al Qassimi, founder of the Emirates Motorsports Club, is also part of the UAE contingent, alongside his 17-year-old son Sheikh Mohammed Al Qassimi, while X Dubai World Rally Team’s Rashid Al Ketbi (Ford Fiesta R5) and Mansour bin Jaber (Mitsubishi Evo) are the other Emirati drivers in the fray.
“I am confident his participation in this national rally will help him gain experience and effectively represent the UAE youth in international motorsport events like this one in the future too,” said Sheikh Abdullah ahead of his son’s Dubai International Rally debut.
arizvi@thenational.ae
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