Sheikh Khalid Bin Faisal al Qassimi nets Dubai International Rally victory in his Abu Dhabi Racing Citroen DS3 RRC. And MCH Photo was there to cover the action
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Home town rally fans had plenty to celebrate this weekend as Sheikh Khalid Bin Faisal al Qassimi took his third victory on the Dubai International Rally. Partnered by co-driver Chris Patterson in the Abu Dhabi Racing Citroen DS3 RRC, the Emirati was flanked by Qatari drivers Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari and Khalid Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, who took their Ford Fiesta RRCs to second and third respectively.
A dominant start to his home event saw Qassimi stretch his lead on the first day to almost two minutes, though a late-event charge by Al-Kuwari on day two saw this gap split in half. A shade over 57 seconds though proved enough for Qassimi to keep his attackers at bay, and bring the eight-year winning streak of long-time rival Nasser Al-Attiyah to a close. It marked the first Dubai International Rally victory for the Emirati since he pulled the double in 2005 and 2006.
Mohammed Al Mutawaa completed a successful weekend’s work for Abu Dhabi Racing by taking victory in the 2WD category over teammates Mansoor Yahya Bel Helei and Saeed Bintouq in the Citroen DS3 R3T. Group N honours went the way of Lebanese driver Nassib Nassar in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX.
Okay, enough shop, time for some images…
– Shots courtesy of MCH Photo and Marian Chytka
