Oman Rally Cup: Promoting Road Safety and Fulfilling Dreams
Tags:
Introduction
Muscat, Oman, February 10, 2013: Omani youth who are passionate about racing and cars are just one step away from realizing their dream of participating in the Oman Rally Cup for youth. They will compete in the final stage of an intensive selection program taking place this week, where physical fitness serves as the toughest challenge.
Oman Rally Cup Project
This project, launched last month, uses motorsport as a platform to raise public awareness about the importance of road safety. It has attracted dozens of Omani youth eager to fulfill their dreams and enter the world of speed racing.
Selection for Participation
At the end of the program's first stage, 30 young participants will be selected to compete in the Oman Youth Rally Cup, which kicks off next month. They will form three teams, each consisting of:
- Driver
- Co-driver
- Support team
These teams will compete in the five rounds of the Oman Youth Rally Championship.
Evaluation and Winning System
Winners of the Oman Youth Rally Cup will be determined through a points-based system rather than rally results. Team performance will also be evaluated through community activities designed to raise public awareness about safe driving and road safety.
Founder and Supporters
The idea for the Oman Youth Rally Cup was conceived by global rally star Hamed Al Wahaibi, founder of Safety First, a non-profit organization that conducts road safety campaigns. The project is supported by Oman Air Cargo and Oman Sail.
Comments from Hamed Al Wahaibi
Al Wahaibi expressed his excitement about the project, stating: "I am incredibly enthusiastic about this initiative as it allows me to give back to my beloved country, Oman, for the tremendous support I have received throughout my regional and global rally career."
He added, "This project will also contribute to raising public awareness and support the key goals of the Safety First initiative, which focuses on volunteering for efforts that will make Oman's roads safer and provide a better future for all of us."
The Final Stage of the Program
Over the past three days, Al Wahaibi has supervised the final stage of the program to select the three teams participating in the Oman Youth Rally Cup.
Selection Process
The 56 candidates, chosen from the initial list of applicants, participated in special programs to select drivers, co-drivers, and support teams hosted by the Oman Automobile Association in Seeb.
Those originally involved in motorsport and rallying in Oman underwent a driver and co-driver selection program consisting of speed tests and other driving skill assessments at the Seeb Karting Circuit.
Meanwhile, engineering candidates underwent a series of tests and practical workshops, evaluated by Chris Hodgson and a team of specialized technicians.
Participant Evaluation
Al Wahaibi, alongside Lebanese rally champion Abdo Feghali and international rally co-driver Alan Hariman, assessed the participants and identified the top performers. Al Wahaibi remarked: "We were impressed by the level of interest and eagerness to participate from the youth. The performance displayed by the participants during this week's selection program was remarkable and encouraging."
Training Program
The 36 qualified candidates will continue their journey through a three-day physical fitness assessment program, taking place at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bousher, starting next Monday. The winners of the three teams participating in the Oman Youth Rally Cup will be announced during a press conference held in the capital, Muscat, on February 16.
Training and Qualification
Members of the qualifying teams will undergo training in:
- First Aid
- Fire Safety
- CPR
- Defensive Driving
- Traffic Safety
- Rally Driving and Navigation
Additionally, the teams will later receive professional training in communication skills, sports psychology, sponsor management, media relations, and periodic fitness tests, including interview techniques.
Project Goals
The winning team will automatically qualify to participate in the Oman Youth Rally Cup 2014, which will expand to include additional teams. Other team members can opt to participate in the Oman Rally Championship individually if they secure sponsorship or seek employment opportunities in their preferred sectors.
The Safety First campaigns aim to reduce road accident fatalities in Oman by 50% by 2020, aligning with the United Nations initiative "Decade of Action for Road Safety."
