Al Qassimi fights through tough test in Greece 01.06.2013: Emirati driver battles punishing conditions in Abu Dhabi Citroën as Acropolis Rally claims another major casualty

Emirati driver battles punishing conditions in Abu Dhabi Citroën as Acropolis Rally claims another major casualty




photo caption:  Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi: “It’s pretty rough out there.”


As the Acropolis Rally continued to hand out its traditional punishment today, the UAE’s Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi shrugged off an early setback to protect his hopes for a best performance in this year’s World Rally Championship.


After half of the second leg’s eight special stages in Greece, Al Qassimi held ninth position alongside British co-driver Scott Martin in his Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team DS3 WRC.


Lying eighth overnight, the Emirati driver lost one place on today’s first stage when he spun twice, losing more than 30 seconds in conditions which were proving to be as difficult as ever.


"It was very slippery, and we spun at two of the corners," said Al Qassimi. “It’s pretty rough out there, and not easy on a stage like that to get my confidence back. But I’m okay and will try to improve as the day goes on.”


Like team-mates Dani Sordo and Mikko Hirvonen who were lying second and eighth respectively after six special stages, Al Qassimi is still experimenting with his Abu Dhabi Citroën DS3.


He said: “The car is new and we have a lot to do to adjust it for my driving style. It’s a very sensitive car. You need to be sure about what you are doing because it can catch you out. One small change can make a big difference. But we have a fantastic team and we’ll get there.”


This is Al Qassimi’s fifth appearance in the rough and treacherous Acropolis Rally, and his sixth place finish in Greece four years ago is the second best result of his WRC career to date.


While a repeat of that performance may be out of reach this time, the UAE driver is still optimistic that he can improve on his ninth place in last month’s Rally de Portugal where he collected his first WRC points of the season.




photo caption: Al Qassimi sending up a dust could in his Abu Dhabi Citroën DS3 in Greece


 The rugged and dusty mountain trails of Greece are providing him with his most difficult examination so far this year, and the Acropolis is once more doing its best to defy the leading challengers.


After the opening day drama which destroyed the prospects of world championship pace-setter Sebastien Ogier, the overnight leader, Russian Evgeny, plunged from contention on today’s second stage when his Ford Fiesta hit a rock and punctured


The misfortune promoted Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala into an 18.7 seconds lead from Sordo’s Citroën Total Abu Dhabi DS3, while Al Qassimi was 19.9 seconds away from Hirvonen’s eighth-placed DS3. With four more stages remaining on the second leg, another four lead to the finish tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon.



- Tony Lewis , Total Communications Dubai also photos