KUWAIT CITY, March 20: The countdown to the Kuwait International Rally approaches the zero hour as the most prominent heroes of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship descend on Kuwait ready to rumble on the desert tracks of Julai’a. 
The FIA Middle East Rally Championship round 2 will be staged under the patronage of Sheikh Salman Hamoud Al-Sabah, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs under the aegis of Kuwait Quarter Mile Automobile & Motorcycle Club with Sheikh Athbi Nayef Al Sabah as rally committee chairman. Prominent Arab sports personalities are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony slated to take place at Safir International Hotel Fintas, Thursday March 21. The entire event runs through March 21-23, climaxing eventually at the Seashell Hotel in Julai’a with an award ceremony at the podium.
The 614.51km rally, to be held in the southern region of Kuwait, will include 12 special stages over a distance of 242.26 kilometers to be completed over two days, March 22-23.   Up to 121.58 km are expected to be covered on the first day with the remaining 120.68 km on the second day.
There are 28 teams of crack drivers from the Middle East and Europe lined up and ready to do battle on board some of the best and most advanced cars produced in the world to date. The rally will also be blessed with the official presence of UAE’s Mohammed bin Sulayem, Vice President of FIA and president of UAE’s Automobile and Touring Club.

The 52 year-old bin Sulayem has won more FIA regional championships, and more international rallies, than any other racer in history. His premier event has been the FIA Middle East Rally Championship. Since first winning in 1986, he has gone on to win the event a record, 14 times, never having been defeated and making him the most successful FIA title holder in the world. His successful career includes 61 international outings in the European, African, Middle East and World Rally Championships (WRC).
Qatar’s Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, an avid motorsport enthusiast and Chairman of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle as well as Chairperson of the Commission of Desert Cross Country Rally has also confirmed his presence at the opening ceremony. He is also Vice President of the International Federation of Motorcycle (FAME).

The list of participants of the strongest ever regional tournament to be held, both in terms of names participating and quality cars, include 28 teams with  Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah the current champion of Middle East Rally topping the list as favorite having won the event 10 times. His tenth win was when he was issued the order of provisional points for the championship this year after winning the opening round of the Middle East Rally Championship which was held earlier in the year in Qatar. Al Attiyah and his co-pilot Giovani Bernacchini enter the competition with a Ford Fiesta RRC while lead challenger and 2004 Middle East Rally champion and winner of Kuwait Rally in 2010, Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi drives a Citroen DS3.
The rally will also see five of the most prominent Arab drivers aboard Ford Fiestas with Qatari Abdulaziz Al Kuwari WRC 2 winner at the World Rally Championship in Mexico, being one of the hottest favorites to win, though Khaled Al Suwaidi, a fellow Qatari who also finished tops in one of the Kuwait rallies last year could be breathing over his shoulders.

UAE’s Sheikh Abdullah Al Qassimi who currently ranks fifth with 10 points, and Saudi Yazeed Al-Rajhi another seasoned driver, are among the list of favorites in the competition. Saudi driver Saeed Al-Mouri who won the Kuwait Rally round 3, has made a return to attempt a shot at the title with his Mini Cooper.
Kuwaiti duo Massoud Saleh and navigator Suleiman Al Helal aboard will drive a Ford Fiesta S2000 into the race while Meshaal Nejadi awaits the arrival of his “Mini Cooper” from England in the coming hours, and Mufeed Mubarak and Saleh Ali both put their faith in Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10s. Other Kuwaiti drivers include Essam Nejadi-Mitsubishi Evo9, Mishari Al-Thafiri-(Evo 9), Dawood Al-Gharabally-Evo8, Shaheen Al-Muthahka (Evo 8), and Nasser Al-Ajmi (Subaru Impreza).
Kuwaiti drivers will enter the challenge eyeing on the local rally championship, as they considered the event, which includes two days of competition, as the fifth and sixth rounds of the local championships.
In addition to the constellation of drivers mentioned Saudi driver Ahmed Al Sabban and Qatari Abdullah Al Kuwari first place winner in the Automotive Group “N” in the opening round in Qatar are among the strong contestants to look out for.

Veteran Lebanese driver Michel Saleh, due to some personal problems announced his withdrawal from the competition. Others on the list include Alaa Rasheed and fellow compatriot Zaid Dahshan. UAE’s Bader Al Jabri in addition to his countrymen Mohammed Sahlawi and Mohammed Al Mutawa are also line up to participate. 
Mishari Sabti, director of the rally, said “We have finished all the preparations and everything finalized and we are waiting eagerly to launch the competitions on Thursday.
With God’s help and the efforts of our elders and organizers who in diverse ways contributed to the preparations, the Middle East Rally round2 is set to be the best organized and most beautiful in the region and we hope guide everyone safely to the finish line.”
The 26-year-old rally director added that due to the high caliber nature of the competition, it will be very difficult to speculate on who will win especially given that the drivers have to tread carefully on the special stages. He wished all drivers good luck and hopes to meet the winners at the podium.

By Iddris Seidu
Arab Times Staff