Ahmad Bil Hammar came out on top in the second round of Mobily Desert Race Championship held here recently. Majed Al-Ghamdi, who won the final leg, was second overall with Hassan Al-Saqaf third. Al-Ghamdi managed to top the final round in a time of 1.07:300 in his modified 6-cylinder car. He was all smiles after the race and expressed his joy that the desert rally event was organized in Jeddah again. “I hope the organizers make it an annual event,” he said. Al-Saqaf, who was second in the final round in 1.07:371, said: “More Saudi youths will be able to take part in regional and international competitions after regularly practicing in modified vehicles,” he said. Saleh Al-Saleh finished the round in the third spot in a time of 1.09:353. He drives across sand dunes at least twice a month on weekends. He said more people are bound to be attracted toward the sport if competitions are organized regularly. “I have been driving in the desert since I was a kid,” he said. “I picked up this hobby from my father, who was also fond of driving in the desert.” Mohammad Al-Haji, driving a Toyota Land Cruiser, managed to a time of 1.16:450 to be crowned Toyota Land Cruiser fastest driver. Spectators came out in thousands to see and cheer the participants in the official event in Bahrah near Jeddah. “Tatees” as the rally is known in Arabic, is a popular adventure sport among the youth, and a presence of a large number of spectators demonstrated their love for the sport. The two-day event was held under the supervision of the Saudi Motorsport Committee with support from the General Presidency of Youth Welfare. Mobily was the main sponsor of the championship while Toyota Land Cruiser was the official car. Mobil 1 and Okaz were also among the supporters of the championship. Special stands were erected to accommodate the spectators at the event. With stands brimming with fans, many people climbed the nearby hills to see the rally. Separate seating arrangements were also made for women and children. The rally was organized in Al-Bahrah Desert. On the first day of the two-day rally, the participants drove their own vehicles. Organizers divided vehicles into three categories according to the capacity of the engine, standard 6-cylinder vehicles, modified 6-cylinder vehicles, and modified 8-cylinder vehicles. Abdullah Bakhashab, organizer of the event, said more than 21 drivers and 15 motorcyclists were asked to drive the same vehicle to judge their driving capability. As for the competition in the motorcycles section, Saleh Al- Abdali finished on top in a time of 0.39:016. Abdul Majeed Al- Khalifah was second in 1.00.357. In the third spot was Abdul Lateif Al-Jandal (1.00:917). On the first day, all the participants drove across sand dunes and on desert track. “The success of the event will encourage the authorities to promote Motorsports in the Kingdom and organize more championships in future,” said event organizer Abdullah Bakhashab. “I hope more Saudi youths will take part in international events once the desert rally becomes popular in the Kingdom,” added Bakhashab. __
