An over eager start to the first stage of the Dubai International Rally on Friday proved costly for Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi in his fight to win the Middle East Rally Championship (Merc) title for a second time.
The Emirati was the fastest man over the opening six stages of the event but trails Qatari driver Nasser Al Attiyah by 6.8 seconds going into Saturday’s final leg.
This is because Sheikh Khalid had been given a 10-second time penalty for moving away too quickly at the start of the opening stage.
What should have been a 3.2-second lead over Al Attiyah turned into a deficit and Sheikh Khalid acknowledged his surprise at being penalised, especially as he had made the same mistake 12 months ago in the event.
“I was sure that I didn’t jump start, because I was penalised last year and when you have been bitten before you will always be careful,” he said.
“Apart from that everything is going fine for me.”
It is winner takes all between Sheikh Khalid and Al Attiyah in Dubai for the Merc title.
Al Attiyah, who is going for a 10th Merc title in his Ford Fiesta, held a six-point lead going into the event.
With a seven-point difference between finishing first and second, victory for Sheikh Khalid would guarantee him the title, to follow up his previous crown in 2004.
Knowing his fate was in his own hands, Sheikh Khalid started strongly in his Abu Dhabi Racing Citroen DS3, taking 15.5 seconds out of his title rival on the first two stages before matching times with the Qatari on the third stage.
But on the second loop of stages in the afternoon, Al Attiyah set the fastest time on all three stages. That, aided with a puncture on Stage 5 for Sheikh Khalid, ensures he has the lead ahead of Saturday’s final six stages.
Al Attiyah, who is aiming for an eighth successive win in Dubai, said he had not been perturbed by his title rival’s early pace.
“I cleared the road on the first three stages and didn’t take any risks,” he said.
Sheikh Khalid, who has won twice before in Dubai (2005 and 2006) remained upbeat that he can fight back and stand on the top step of the podium this afternoon at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
“We were in a good position in the morning, but obviously the 10-second penalty and the puncture have hurt us,” he said.
“Nevertheless, our times have been good where we have won two of the six stages. Overall, we had a good car and a good pass today, we will start from second position tomorrow and we will fight for the win for sure.”
Qatari driver Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, who also has a chance of being champion, is third, one minute, 52.5 seconds behind.
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
