Mikko Hirvonen is facing falling further behind in the world championship standings as he will start today's final stages of the Rally of Spain from fourth place. The BP-Ford Abu Dhabi driver lost more time to the championship leader Sebastien Loeb and the Finn will have to make up 1min 04.6secs on the Citroen driver if he is to close the eight point advantage. that the German currently has on him.
Realistically Hirvonen is going to lose at least another four points in the title race unless Loeb suffers problems in today's final six stages on the tarmac event and will face having to turn around a double-figure points deficit in the final three rallies of the season. Loeb's teammate Dani Sordo is second, 27 seconds adrift, while the second Ford of Francois Duval is third and 13.2secs ahead of Hirvonen, although the Belgian will almost certainly cede position at some stage today to help the Finn's championship hopes.
Hirvonen has pushed hard on an event Ford were always expected to struggle on, and he admitted that he was frustrated to have lost more time to the Citroen drivers. "We changed the rear differential in service this morning which brought an improvement on the high-speed sections, but it also made the car more difficult to drive." he said. "I have more pace and my times are closer to Loeb and Sordo, but I don't have the killer feeling that I need to challenge because I'm not 100 per cent confident."
Duval said of his day: "The roads twist more today and I like that, so I think that's why my times are closer to Sordo than they were yesterday. The car still feels good, although there is small under-steer in long corners. It was a day of recovery for third driver, Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi. After a heavy spin and crash into a ditch during Friday's stage six, the Emirati suffered severe damage to his rear differential. Despite having completed the day's competitive action, Qassimi was forced to retire, incurring a 10-minute SupeRally time penalty.
Qassimi moved up from 42nd at the start of yesterday's stages to be 27th going into today's stages. @Email:gcaygill@thenational.ae
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Neighbourhood Watch
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
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T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures
Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
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Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
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RESULTS
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Brraq, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Taamol, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Eqtiraan, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Soft Whisper, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Etisalat, Sando Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Race card:
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m
7.40pm: Conditions; Dh240,000; 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 2,000m
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed; Dh265,000; 1,200m
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10pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 1,400m
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
