Al-Thafeeri, Al-Kuwairi claim top spot of KIR ’16 3rd round – 28 teams participate in rally held in Julai’a desert

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Participants pose for a group photo
Participants pose for a group photo

KUWAIT CITY, March 7: Kuwaiti driver Mishari Al-Thafeeri with Qatari co-driver Nasser Al-Kuwairi claimed the top spot of the third round of Kuwait International Rally (KIR) 2016 on Saturday.

Held under the chairmanship of Sheikh Athbi Nayef Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and in conjunction with the Kuwait International Automobile Club (KIAC), the event has become one of the most popular rounds of the regional series since it returned to the championship in 2009 after a 13-year hiatus.

The championship which opened Friday and came to a close Saturday evening saw top seeds from the region gather to participate. A total of twenty eight teams took part in the rally that was held in the Julai’a desert amid large numbers of spectators.

Qatari driver Sheikh Hamad Bin Eid Al Thani and co-driver Nasser Al-Mutairi of Kuwait came in for second place while Qatar’s Rashid Al-Nuaimi and British co-driver Nicolai came third.

In the Jeep races Sheikh Hamad Al-Thani and co-driver Nasser Al-Mutairi finished first while Kuwait’s Nasser Al-Ajmi Abdulhadi Al-Ajmi came in second. Other competitors quit the race due to vehicle malfunctions.  Sheikh Athbi Al-Nayef Al-Sabah, head of the rally organizing committee of the Basil Salem Al Sabah Motor Racing Club (BMRC) commended as spectacular the performance of the competitors, adding that drivers showed impressive skills during the rally.

Sheikh Nayef expressed the hope that the contestants continue to provide such good levels in the next rounds to confirm that what emerged from its refined technical level did not come by luck and chance. He thanked the Director of the Public Authority for Sport, Sheikh Ahmed Mansour Al-Sabah for his support in the establishment of this club sports events in the field of motorsport, “That is a motivation for us to develop our performance and show the Kuwaiti youth capabilities as required”.

Experienced motor sport consultant Fuad Abu-Arja was the clerk of the course who attributed the near perfect finish of the rally to perfect coordination among the entire organizing team led by Sheikh Athbi Nayef Al Sabah.  The ceremonial start and finish took place at the Sirbb racing circuit in Kuwait City, the location that also hosted the opening super special stage and numerous activities and additional entertainment for teams and spectators.

Competitors tackled five demanding gravel stages, south of Kuwait City on March 5 and a further six in the same area on Saturday. Rally headquarters was based at the Safir Hotel and Residences in Fintas, while the Sea Shell Julai’a Hotel and Resort hosted the rally control and offer amenities for the nearby service park.

The start and finish of the 80km long rally which was almost identically to international standards adopted by the International Federation of Motor Sport, took place at the Sirbb racing circuit in Kuwait City,  the location that also hosted the opening super special stage on Saturday, and numerous activities and additional entertainment for teams and spectators.

For further information contact the Basel Salem Al-Sabah Motor Racing Club (BMRC), South Surra, Zahra Area, P.O. Box 33134, Al-Rawda, Kuwait, Tel/Fax: + 965 25395468, E-mail: [email protected], Website:www.rallykuwait.com.

By Iddris Seidu – Arab Times Staff

This news has been read 4934 times!

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