Dubai International Rally To Test Juniors’ Mettle
With the 2008 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) coming to a close at this weekend’s Dubai International Rally, three members of Team Abu Dhabi – the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority-backed MERC outfit - are hoping to steal some of the attention from their Junior Driver Development Programme (JDDP) mentor, Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi.
Al Qassimi’s first regional event of the seven-round season sees him and recently-crowned MERC champion, Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah, take top billing at the Dubai event, which runs November 28-29.
However, after Team Abu Dhabi’s long season of trials and tribulations, JDDP recruits Sultan Al Ameri, Majed Al Shamsi and Bader Al Jabri, are excited to be back on familiar soil.
“It’s great to be back in the UAE,” said Al Shamsi – who is making his Dubai debut this weekend. “This year I have competed across the Middle East and also in the UK, but all season long I have been waiting for the chance to compete at home.
“Knowing that I am part of Team Abu Dhabi and driving for my country gives me a tremendous confidence boost, and for that I must thank the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and HH sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan for giving us this opportunity. I hope I can do what I have done all season - finish the event and put in a good performance for the team and our fans,” he added.
After finishing eighth in last year’s Dubai International Rally, Al Amri is the only member of the current crop of JDDP squad with previous experience of the event. And the 23-year old is determined to continue developing and improving as a driver.
“I learnt last year that if you go all-out in this event you will either complete the rally a hero or total the car. Finishing this event is a victory in itself,” said Al Amri.
“It’s been ten months since I drove competitively in the UAE but I’m optimistic the rally will go well. All the Team Abu Dhabi drivers will stick to our two-point plan - learning and finishing,” he added.
The opportunity to display his improving skills in front of a partisan home crowd is not lost on Al Jabri either: “In comparison with my first rally I have improved so much. I didn’t expect to have these skills so early in my rally career. I have more confidence in the car and my pace notes,” said Al Jabri.
“However, I am still learning and this is a very bumpy, dangerous rally. It is not too technical but there are countless dips and crests which can literally destroy the cars – I will be aware of these cautions. Aside from this event, I’m just very excited to be part of a team which is pure Abu Dhabi – I hope we can put on a good show for our fans,” he added.
Running from 27-29 November – and held under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Majed bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum – the Dubai International Rally starts with scrutineering on Thursday 27th November.
Four special stages in the Madam and Hatta areas await the drivers on Friday 28th, with five more Filli area stages following on Saturday 29th, ahead of the Al Mamzar Corniche finish.
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