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New Middle East champion al-Attiyah wins Dubai International Rally
Hatta, Dec 07: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah wins Dubai International Rally. Qatar`s new Middle East champion Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah ended a successful year on Friday (December 5) by winning the Dubai International Rally with a nine minute margin.
Hatta, Dec 07: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah wins Dubai International Rally. Qatar's new Middle East champion Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah ended a successful year on Friday (December 5) by winning the Dubai International Rally with a nine minute margin.
Al-Attiyah, driving a Subaru Impreza world rally car (WRC) beat Sheikh Abdullar Al Qassimi of UAE in a group N Mitsubishi Lancer while Michel Saleh was third in his Group A Toyota Celica.
Al Qassimi is Middle East Group N champion and runner-up to Al-Attiyah in the overall championship.
Al-Attiyah took the lead on the first special stage and was never headed again with a trouble-free run. But Al Qasimmi's brother, Sheikh Khaled Al Qassimi crashed out in spectacular style when his Mitsubishi Lancer hit a sand ridge at the end of the day's first stage and rolled several times. Al Qasimmi and co-driver Khalid Al Kendi were taken to hospital for treatment but later released.
Syrian driver Mohammed Hamsho, in fourth place, rolled his Ford Focus WRC after two stages and suffered back injuries.
In third place was Abdulaziz Al Kuwairi who looked at this stage as if he could take the Group N championship title but his hopes were dashed when his engine blew at the end of the first stage.
On the second day Al-Attiyah led throughout to take the Middle East championship title. His rivals should have more of a chance next year as WRC specification cars will be banned in 2004.
Leading results of International Dubai Rally: 1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah Qatar 02 hrs: 09 mins: 47 seconds total stage time 2. Sheikh Abdullar Al Qassimi UAE 02:19:19 3. Michel Saleh Lebanon 02:22:54 4. Mohammed Haitham Youssfi Syria 02:33:06 5. Faris Bustami Jordan 02:34:22 6. Ahmed Al Sabban Saudi Arabia 02:34:32
Leading 2003 FIA Middle East championship positions at end of season: 1. Al-Attiyah 46 pts 2. Al Qassimi 30 pts 3. Andreas Tsouloftas 26 4. Abdulaziz Al Kuwairi 10 5. Khaled Al Qassimi 8
Middle East Group N championship: 1. Abdullah Al Qassimi 38 2. Al Kuwairi 20 3. Khaled Al Qassimi 16
Manufacturers' Championship: 1. Subaru 58 2. Mitsubishi 49 3. Toyota 18 4. Citroen 11
Bureau Report
In third place was Abdulaziz Al Kuwairi who looked at this stage as if he could take the Group N championship title but his hopes were dashed when his engine blew at the end of the first stage.
On the second day Al-Attiyah led throughout to take the Middle East championship title. His rivals should have more of a chance next year as WRC specification cars will be banned in 2004.
Leading results of International Dubai Rally: 1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah Qatar 02 hrs: 09 mins: 47 seconds total stage time 2. Sheikh Abdullar Al Qassimi UAE 02:19:19 3. Michel Saleh Lebanon 02:22:54 4. Mohammed Haitham Youssfi Syria 02:33:06 5. Faris Bustami Jordan 02:34:22 6. Ahmed Al Sabban Saudi Arabia 02:34:32
Leading 2003 FIA Middle East championship positions at end of season: 1. Al-Attiyah 46 pts 2. Al Qassimi 30 pts 3. Andreas Tsouloftas 26 4. Abdulaziz Al Kuwairi 10 5. Khaled Al Qassimi 8
Middle East Group N championship: 1. Abdullah Al Qassimi 38 2. Al Kuwairi 20 3. Khaled Al Qassimi 16
Manufacturers' Championship: 1. Subaru 58 2. Mitsubishi 49 3. Toyota 18 4. Citroen 11
Bureau Report