Qhtani (C) lifts his trophy standing on the podium next to Sultan Hamdi and Faisal Al-Sharief after being handed over the cup by Prince Sultan Bin Bandar Al-Faisal.JEDDAH: Abdul Hadi Al-Qahtani from Ford Al-Jazirah Racing Team clinched the last remaining berth to represent Saudi Arabia at the Red Bull Car Park Drift Championship in Lebanon when he won the Jeddah leg of the qualifiers last weekned. Prince Sultan Bin Bandar Al-Faisal, President of the Saudi Arabian Motorsports Federation, crowned Al-Qahtani after the event, where Sultan Hamdi finished second and Faisal Al-Sharief came in third. The Jeddah round successfully concluded the Saudi legs of the qualifying rounds. The three stops in the Kingdom — Riyadh, Al-Khobar and Jeddah — were enjoyed by more than 22,000 spectators where more than 100 drivers showed their drifting skills. The three Saudi drifters, who will represent the Kingdom at the final in Beirut are: Hatim Natto with the Snickers team representing the Central Region; Saeed Al-Moori with the Hankook team representing the Eastern Region; and Abdul Hadi Al-Qahtani with the Ford Al-Jazirah Racing team representing the Western Region. Prince Sultan Bin Bandar Al-Faisal, speaking after the event said: “Red Bull Car Park Drift has indeed been a splendid sports event which has brought forth three Saudi champions who will represent the Kingdom in the final round. I am confident they will demonstrate distinctive standards of performance.” In the light of the successful event, Prince Sultan Bin Bandar Al-Faisal said the federation will certainly be keen in promoting such events by adding them to the federation's annual calendar. He also thanked Red Bull for organizing the event which aims at discovering new talent in the field of motorsport and enhancing awareness among the Saudi youths by providing legal ways for practicing the sport of drifting. The Al-Jazirah Ford Racing team was taking part in a motorsport competition for the first time. The team is supported and sponsored by the National Commercial Bank (NCB) and Castrol Magnetic. Sabah Abdullah Al-Kraidees, Al-Jazirah Vehicle Co. Sales and Marketing Director, congratulating Abdul Hadi Al-Qahtani for a job well done said: “We are very pleased and happy to clinch a spot in the finals. I wish the team the best of luck.” Al-Qahtani thanked God for the win in Jeddah and said: “Being crowned the winner in Jeddah motivates me to give my best in the final round in Beirut.” In all 18 qualifiers from Arab and GCC cities will compete in the final round to be held in Lebanon on July 22. __
