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24.01.2008
Saleh drives City of Arabia Team towards double target in 2008 Al-Attiyah is the man to beat again as UAE team prepares for action at home and abroad
Michel Saleh aims for a flying start to the 2008 FIA Middle East Rally Championship in his City of Arabia Subaru in Qatar. Michel Saleh, the only driver to survive all three decades of FIA Middle East Championship rallying, has set his sights on a first regional title triumph in 2008. Saleh will be leading the UAE-based City of Arabia team into battle on two fronts for the first time this year, and the veteran UAE-based Lebanese driver believes experience can help him spring a few surprises at home and abroad. Starting with the Qatar International Rally which gets under way tomorrow (Friday), Saleh is determined to prove that his prospects of securing an FIA Middle East title triumph are still alive, and he is also hoping to make his mark during a limited World Rally Championship programme. "I’ve been trying to win the Middle East Championship since it began in 1984, and I’m sure a lot of people may think that my chance has gone," said Saleh, who has acquired a brand new Subaru Impreza N14 to boost his challenge. "But I’m really going for it this time and if I have a season without too many mechanical problems I know I can do well. This could be my year." Partnered by Lebanese co-driver Ahmad Ghaziri, Saleh will drive last year’s City of Arabia Subaru in Qatar while the new car is prepared for the Kuwait Rally on 28th February to 1st March will be run as a candidate event for the 2009 Middle East series. He recognises that defending champion Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah is once again the strong title favourite, and also rates another Qatari, Misfer Al Marri, and Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi as two of the other main challengers. "Nasser is the man to beat again but Misfer is very fast as well and Yazeed showed last year that he’s getting better and better," said Saleh. "Amjad Farrah is another one to watch, and Ahmad Al Sabban from Saudi is back and so is Nizar Al Shanfari, so it’s going to be a tough championship. But I want to be in there fighting with them." In addition to the Jordan Rally which is in both the Middle East and World Rally Championships this season, Saleh is taking the City of Arabia team into action in two other WRC events, in Greece and Turkey. His 2008 programme will also see him contesting Saudi Arabia’s Hayel Rally as well as the UAE Desert Challenge. For the time being Saleh’s focus is on the Qatar International Rally which roars to life at 8.30am in Doha on Friday and finishes with an official podium ceremony at the Losail circuit, north of the Qatari capital at 2.30pm on Saturday.. 2008 FIA Middle East Rally Championship calendar Qatar 24-26 January Cyprus 16-18 May Syria 5-7 Jun Lebanon 27-29 Jun Jordan 14-16 Oct Troodos (Cyprus) 6-7 Nov Dubai 4-8 Dec • The Kuwait Rally from 28 Feb-1 March will be run as a candidate event for the 2009 FIA Middle East Rally Championship.
- Tony Lewis, Total Communications Dubai - also photo
Author: maggy (admin2)
Last modified: Thursday, 24.01.2008 - 03:41 More reports from this category all copyright automobilsport.com.
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