KUWAIT — Saudi Arabia's Saeed Al-Mouri of the Hankook Racing Team and co-driver Amr Refai finished first in 1 hour 4 minutes and 15.60 seconds to clinch the Kuwait National Rally round two south of Kuwait recently. Al-Mouri, driving a Ford Fiesta RRC, headed the nineteen-car field that had entered the 270km rally. Nine fell through the cracks for different reasons, mostly engine issues, while another nine made it to the finish line. The rally took place in Bneider and Al-Zour. Kuwait's Mishal Al-Nejadi with co-driver Ali Al-Shamali in their Mini Cooper JCW-S2000 came in second in a time of 1 hour 4 minutes and 29.60 seconds - just 14 seconds off the winner. Mishari Al-Thafeeri, driving a Mitsubishi Evo9 with co-driver Saffah Al Thafeeri, was third in 1 hour 7 minutes and 55.7 seconds. Al-Mouri was participating for the first time in the Kuwait Rally to gain experience and familiarize himself with different parts of the Gulf region. “I was well-prepared for the rally. My participation in rallies within Saudi Arabia and other parts of the region helped me gain a lot of experience. I am looking forward to more victories and great achievements in other races as well,” said Al-Mouri at the post-rally award ceremony and press conference held at Julai'a. Al-Mouri, a three-time Saudi back-to-back circuit championship winner also holds the title for the Middle East Drifting championship. Adeel Naeem, Marketing Manager of Bin-Shihon Group, the exclusive dealer of Hankook tires in Saudi Arabia and sponsor of the team, stressed the importance of the participation of the team in the remaining Middle East Rally Championship rounds saying: “Saeed Al-Mouri is a talented driver. We are sponsoring the team in a bid to support the talented Saudi youths in all fields. Motorsport is very important to us, and this sponsorship translates the harmony between Al-Mouri's talent and our keen interest in motorsport. — SG
