In a very rare opportunity, about 100 rally fans had the chance to be co-drivers with the Saudi rally driver Ahmed Al-Sabban last week in Dorat Al-Aros beach here. The event was held on a track similar to the one used for demonstration round on the sidelines of international races. Al-Sabban, who won the Middle East Rally Championship in Toyota twice in a row in 1998 and 1999, explained the aim of such activities. “People usually watch this kind of racing on the television and don't have any idea about how does the driver or the co-driver feel inside this expensive car. So we wanted to give people, specially youth, this chance to live these exciting sport,” Al-Sabban said. The co-driver has many tasks, and the most important one is to read the “Road Book”, which is delivered to the driver a day prior to the race. The Road Book contains road map showing the course of the race, and it must be presented to the race marshals for their signatures as a proof of passing the course phases. “I always wished to have this opportunity to ride such an expensive car,” said Ahmed Al-Zahrani, one of the rally fans who had the chance to ride with Al-Sabban. “Although I enjoyed being a co-driver it seemed not easy task,” he added. Another young fan, who experienced this rare moment, said: “I have lived a unique experience for the first time in my life. I have heard about co-driver, but never knew what his job was. Through this experience, I realized the importance of a co-driver in car rally.” “It's difficult for the driver to remember each and every turn in the map of the track,” Al-Sabban explained adding, “so, here comes the co-driver to remind the driver when to slow down and when to speed up.” The co-driver's job is not limited to just guide the driver but he has many other tasks such as ensuring proper registration for the race, receiving all documents related to the race and negotiating all maters related to the race with organizers, marshals and judges. He also cooperates with the team manager concerning all technical and mechanical matters, according to Al-Sabban. After completing the driving tests, Al-Sabban talked to the audience about rally details. “People think that it is an easy task, and now those who enjoyed this rare experience realized the importance of the co-driver's role particularly with the usage of advanced navigation devices. I advise all motor sport enthusiasts all over the Kingdom to repeat this experience, which is very joyful and interesting.” After sharing his valuable knowledge with enthusiastic rally fans, Al-Sabban and his co-driver Killan Dofee are now getting ready for the third round of Middle East Rally Championship which will be held in Syria in June. __
