Irish eyes smile on Al Qassimi

Maiden driver makes WRC history

Loeb survives late scare to lead a crushing Citroen one-two

When BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team’s Shaikh Khalid Al Qassimi snared eighth place in Rally Ireland he became the first UAE driver to score an FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers’ point.

“It’s really exciting, I’ve been pushing hard all week and to score my first point in such a difficult rally gives me a lot of confidence,” says Al Qassimi.

“To score points in the first rally of the season is great for me, great for Abu Dhabi and great for the team.  We’re trying to put Abu Dhabi on the rally map and being the first UAE driver to score a WRC point has always been one of the goals.  I’m happy I have been able to keep progressing and justify the faith shown in me – hopefully I’ll win some more points before the end of the season.”

Meantime, the mighty Sebastien Loeb survived a late scare to lead a crushing Citroen one-two on Rally Ireland.

French ace Loeb crossed the finish ramp in Sligo 1 minute 27.9 seconds ahead of team-mate Dani Sordo. BP Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen was third, a further 39.9 seconds adrift.

Loeb chalked up 11 stage wins on the rain-lashed three-day race to register his second successive Rally Ireland victory.

But for Al Qassimi this was particularly special too. After his historic finish in the opening round of the 12-event WRC season, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority-backed driver joins Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Bakhashab – who finished sixth in the 2000 Acropolis Rally of Greece – as only the second Arab driver in history to claim points at the highest level of international rallying.

The Emirati’s impressive display in Rally Ireland’s torrential conditions has drawn widespread acclaim, with Malcolm Wilson, team principal, BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, among the first to congratulate the Abu Dhabi speedster.

“To be able to come to Ireland and genuinely compete in one of the most treacherous rallies we’ve seen in years is remarkable,” says Wilson.

“His confidence is growing with every rally and he’s now got an understanding of what the world championship is all about - he’s done a really good job.”

Loeb was at his brilliant best. He had to be. The five-times world champ was nearly caught out on the 14km penultimate stage at Donegal Bay.

He said: “It was so slippery, the back went wide and we stayed sideways for about 60 metres. “We kept going though and didn’t lose too much time!  “It’s been a really tough rally but I’m very happy to take the 10 points.

“You can’t afford to slow down too much in these tricky conditions because you lose confidence and that can be dangerous.” Title rival Hirvonen said of Loeb’s near miss: “I could tell somebody had made a mistake, it looked like a close one!

“We had some problems this weekend but it’s still a good start to my season.
“Now I’m looking forward to the next round in Norway.”

Henning Solberg was fourth for Stobart Ford - his best ever finish on tarmac - after a tense battle with Aussie Chris Atkinson.

Citroen privateer Atko sneaked ahead on yesterday’s opening stage but then slid off on the Donegal Bay test and had to settle for fifth.

Atko said: “I braked for the first corner and didn’t slow down. “The car got stuck on a rock ledge until spectators pushed it back on.”

Young Brit Matthew Wilson was seventh in his 50th WRC start for Stobart Ford with Eamonn Boland top Irishman in ninth. He’s one to watch, just like Al Qassaimi.