Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi Targets Victory in Kuwait After Rally Sweden Setback

Return to Middle East Action

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 10 February, 2013: The UAE’s Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi is targeting a victory on his return to Middle East action in Kuwait next month after suffering a disappointing exit from Rally Sweden in his first World Championship outing for 16 months.

Rally Sweden Experience

Al Qassimi and British co-driver Scott Martin in their Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team DS3 WRC were denied a reward for their climb through the field in Sweden due to a setback on the third leg, which put them out of the event on Saturday night.

Looking Ahead to Kuwait International Rally

Within a few hours, the Emirati driver was already planning ahead for the Kuwait International Rally, the second round of the 2013 FIA Middle East Rally Championship on March 21-23, where he aims to improve upon his second place finish in Qatar last month.

“For sure we will be looking for a win in Kuwait,” said Al Qassimi, who was flying home from Sweden overnight and looking forward to the warm UAE winter sunshine after the sub-zero temperatures of the last week.

Preparation for Success

“I have already sat down with the team to put together a strategy for Kuwait, where we will be doing as much testing as possible to ensure we are as well prepared as we can be,” added Al Qassimi.

Challenges Faced in Rally Sweden

After a second-day slide into a snowbank sent him plummeting down the field in Rally Sweden, Al Qassimi showcased his determination by fighting back from that disappointment. Halfway through Saturday’s third leg, he had risen 20 places to 19th in his Abu Dhabi Citroën DS3 WRC.

However, Al Qassimi, who scored a top ten finish in Rally Sweden during his last visit two years ago, went off the road on a treacherous corner on special stage 15 and was unable to start the final leg today due to an overheated engine.

Reflections on the Rally

“It’s a real shame, because I had found decent pace,” he said. “The stages were quicker than Friday, and I felt good. I knew that if I continued, I might have been able to finish higher, maybe in the top 12, and I would have been happy with that after the bad start I had on Friday.”

“But these things happen. The last time I was in a World Rally Car in a WRC event was October 2011, and I now have a new team and a new car. The conditions in Sweden are never easy for me. But I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,” he concluded.

Upcoming Stages and Competitors

With four stages remaining in Rally Sweden ahead of the finish in Karlstad, nine-time world champion Sébastien Loeb was still fighting to produce a second successive WRC win for the new partnership between Abu Dhabi Racing and Citroën. Monte Carlo Rally winner Loeb, in the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team DS3 WRC, was 22.2 seconds behind Sébastien Ogier.