With a third of the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) behind him, BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team’s Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi has revealed his joy at claiming a third consecutive points finish in Rally Portugal.
Following on from eighth place finishes in Ireland and Cyprus, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority-backed driver overcame turbo boost problems on the gravel-based round’s first day to race in to the drivers’ points on a gripping final day’s rallying in the Serra de Caldeirão hills.
"This was my best gravel rally. Friday was hard because I slid off the road and then lost time with a turbo boost problem. The team did a great job in fixing it and I stepped up my pace as the weekend continued. My times steadily improved and I’m really happy with this result," said 37-year-old Al Qassimi.
Three Team Abu Dhabi Juniors made their international competitive debuts in Rally Portugal’s opening leg of the six-event Fiesta International Sporting Trophy (FIST), which runs alongside a half dozen European WRC rounds.
Ahmed Al Mansoori – in only his second rally start – was left to fly the team’s flag after his team-mates, Majed Al Shamsi and Bader Al Jabri, both crashed out of the rally on day two.
Never looking out of place in an experienced FIST field, Al Mansoori produced a polished drive to finish third, his first-ever podium.
“What an amazing beginning to my rally career. Ultimately I want to get the very top of the sport but I need to be patient, learn my limits and concentrate on improving with every event,” said Al Mansoori. “I’m so thankful to Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority for putting me in the Junior Driver programme under Sheikh Khalid’s tutelage. All of us are determined to work, listen, learn and play our parts in Abu Dhabi’s rally endeavours.”
Al Mansoori’s steady drive received a glowing progress report from his BP-Ford Abu Dhabi mentor. “Ahmed has performed really well,” said Al Qassimi.
“The Juniors’ primary objective is to gain experience and put competitive kilometres on the clock. Anything else is a bonus and I’m sure a third place finish will help build Ahmed’s confidence ahead of the next round in Sardinia; he’s progressing very well and is definitely one to watch.”
Al Qassimi’s praise was echoed by Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, ADTA – the body behind the emirate’s rally programme.
‘It was a tough weekend for our drivers”, he said. “Sheikh Khalid’s third consecutive point and Ahmed’s mature drive were obviously the highlights and we were impressed with the times of the two other drivers before their accidents. We hope the Junior drivers take heed of their lessons and use this experience wisely in Sardinia.”
Elsewhere for manufacturers’ title-chasing BP Ford Abu Dhabi, lead driver Mikko Hirvonen maintained his perfect record of podium finishes this season, finishing second. It was Hirvonen’s fourth consecutive podium and keeps him in second place in the drivers’ standings, 10 points behind five-time world champion, Sebastien Loeb.
BP-Ford Abu Dhabi’s number two driver, Jari-Matti Latvala, crashed out of the lead on the opening day. The young Finn misjudged his speed entering a crest and caught a bank, forcing his car onto two wheels and into a collision with a hillside barrier.
Unbelievably, the car flipped on impact and plunged 150 metres down the hillside, rolling more than 20 times before finally stopping. Despite the spectacular crash, the biggest of the season so far, Latvala and his co-driver, Miikka Abtilla, both escaped injury, testament to the strength of the Focus RS WRC, which was completely destroyed.
Round five of the WRC takes competitors outside of Europe for the first time this season. Rally Argentina, one of the championship’s classic fixtures, is another gravel event and is based in Carlos Paz on 23 - 26 April.
