Khalid leads five-car Abu Dhabi Racing challenge in Dubai Rally

Al Qassimi is aiming for a third win in the event alongside Scott Martin in his Abu Dhabi Citroën Total DS3 RRC. — Supplied photo

Abu Dhabi Racing will mark a debut appearance in the Dubai International Rally later this month by sending a five-car all-Emirati driver line-up into the final round of the 2013 FIA Middle East Rally Championship.

After recently concluding his World Rally Championship campaign in Spain, Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi returns to Middle East action looking to secure runners-up spot in the FIA regional series alongside British co-driver Scott Martin in his Abu Dhabi Citroën Total DS3 RRC.

Third place in Dubai would be good enough to clinch second place in the championship, regardless of other results, although Al Qassimi would love to round off the debut season for Abu Dhabi Racing with a third career victory in the event.

“That’s the main aim obviously, but it’s always a tough rally to win,” said the UAE driver, who scored back-to-back wins in Dubai in 2005 and 2006. “It will be just as difficult this time, with everyone looking to finish the season with a good performance to get some confidence for the new season which will be just a few weeks away.”

The team’s four other Emirati drivers competing in the 35^th Dubai International Rally from November 28-30 are certain to clinch at least two Middle East titles between them, while a third is mathematically possible.

Relishing their first appearance in the event are Mohamed Al Mutawaa and Mohammed Al Sahlawi, both also fresh from World Rally Championship action in Spain and looking for a strong finish to their first season in rallying.

They drive a pair of identical Abu Dhabi Citroën DS3 R3 2WDs with Al Sahlawi, partnered by Allan Harryman, holding an unassailable lead over his Abu Dhabi Racing team-mate in the race for both the Middle East 2WD and Junior championship titles.

Al Mutawaa, accompanied by Stephen McAuley, could yet share both titles - new to the championship this season — should he win the two classes in Dubai and Al Sahlawi fails to finish.

Bader Al Jabri, meanwhile, holds an outside chance of claiming the Middle East Group N title, although leader Mishari Al Thefiri of Kuwait and second-placed Jordanian Zaid Dahshan would need to have problems for the Emirati to rise from his current third position to become champion.

Al Jabri will be accompanied by French co-driver Nicholas Clinger , while team-mate Majed Al Shamsi drives an identical Abu Dhabi Subaru N15 alongside Irish co-driver John Higgins.