Lots drawn for drivers in Toyota Race of Champion

Lots were drawn for Arab international rally drivers who are participating in the opening round of the two-day Toyota Race of Champion that begins at Dallah Club, Al-Malik Road, here today. Fourteen drivers have been pitted against 14 others in the first round. They will feature in a second round with different rivals.

Abdullah Bakhashab, head of the organizing committee of the second annual event who drew the lots, told a press conference at Hyatt Regency Hotel yesterday that the event would be inaugurated under the auspices of Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed.

He outlined the race’s rules and thanked the participating drivers and sponsors for their support to the event. Khaled Al Malik, clerk of the course, announced the first day’s participants challenging the “race of professionals” would use Toyota RAV4 and the second day’s participants challenging the “race of masters” Toyota Corolla WRC.

More than 30 world renowned Arab rally drivers, who are taking part in the event alongside Austrian rally driver Akhun Mortel, were present at the meeting.

Bakhashab said the event would be conspicuous by the absence of Omani international rally driver Hamid Al Wahibi. “He has opted out because of personal reasons,” he added. Replying to questions, Bakhashab said the FIA rules prohibited him from participating in the race, as he was the main organizer of the race.

According to the race rules, drivers will start by driving twice over the track and its 20 corners to show their driving skills. “In addition, they will have to go over a bridge — one driver on the first lap and the second driver on the second lap,” Malik added.

Adding to the thrill and excitement of the motor sport will be

Mamdouh Khayyat and Ahmed Sabban of Saudi Arabia, Rogeh Feghali and Abdo Feghali of Lebanon, Mubarak Al Hajri and Hamad Al Swaidi of Qatar, Muhammed Al Saraf of Kuwait, Bashar Bustami of Jordan, and Amro Shass, Majed Al Ghamdi and Sultan Hamdi, all members of the Toyota Saudi rally team.

Most of the participants said they were happy to take part in the Race of Champion for the second year in a row. They hoped they would do better than last year.