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Abu Dhabi’s World Rally Championship (WRC) driver Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi drove himself into the history books at Rally Australia this weekend by becoming the first Arab driver to achieve a fifth place finish in the world’s premiere off-road motorsport series.
The Emirati star’s career-best result topped off an astonishing performance for Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, with team-mates Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala clinching a scintillating one-two finish. Hirvonen’s third consecutive Australian victory brings him to within 15 points of championship leader Sebastien Loeb with only three rounds remaining.
"This is a historic day for Abu Dhabi’s motorsport ambitions," said 33-year-old Al Qassimi. “In just over four years we have proven that we are competitive at the highest level of motorsport.”
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA)-backed Al Qassimi, dubbed ‘The Flying Falcon’ by the international motorsports community, overcame a challenging first day in treacherously slippery conditions at the debut Coffs Harbour event, before taking advantage of the contrasting dry gravel roads on day two by climbing to fifth position which he impressively held for the remainder of the event.
His landmark result is one place better than his previous best of sixth at 2009 Acropolis Rally of Greece, with the 10-point haul elevating him to 12th in the drivers’ standings – just eight points adrift from his goal of a top 10 position.
“It’s my hope that this result will help inspire other Arab motorsport enthusiasts to follow their passion and realise we have the talent and opportunities to compete with the world’s best,” added Al Qassimi.
Team Abu Dhabi’s Production Car World Rally Championship (PWRC) duo, Bader Al Jabri and Majed Al Shamsi, had mixed results in Australia with Al Shamsi retiring on Friday with a broken radiator, and Al Jabri tackling the tough conditions to finish with a well-earned point in 10th position.
“Despite the tricky stages and slippery conditions on day one, I felt like we raced well to score points,” said Al Jabri competing in his first PWRC Rally Australia. “It was important to make the most of the experience, practise drafting accurate pacenotes and becoming confident with the stages across the weekend.”
Al Qassimi, the junior’s mentor, will follow-up his record-breaking Australian result and push for a top-ten finish at Rallye de France Alsace (29 September – 2 October) with Team Abu Dhabi reuniting for Rally Spain in late-October.
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