Current
FIA Middle East Rally Championship leader,
Khalid Al Qassimi made his debut with the
BP Ford World Rally Team on the Rally Finland at the weekend and he achieved his objective of getting to the finish.
Although he only finished 16th overall and didn't exactly set stunning stage times, his speed did improve as the event went on and in the end he set a 14th and 15th quickest time on the final day – his best efforts throughout the three-day event.
Speaking at the finish, after his first event as Abu Dhabi's ambassador in the FIA World Rally Championship, the 2004 Middle East Rally champion was happy with his performance.
He was also well impressed with the Rally Finland, what was only his seventh start in the WRC, having made his debut in Greece back in 2004.
“It has been an incredible experience to represent Abu Dhabi here in Finland and I am indebted to the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority for making it possible,” he reflected. “It's been extremely hard work but we have learned so much over the event. It's been incredibly special - more than I ever thought it would be.
“Finland is so special and I would love to see a rally like this in Abu Dhabi. I'm now looking forward to the next event, so that we can continue our learning experience and fly the UAE flag once more.”
Al Qassimi will do three more events this season with the BP Ford WRT, following the M-Sport-run outfits sponsorship deal with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, which was announced during the summer break.
Al Qassimi's next event will be the Rallye Deutschland in two weeks time, followed by the Rally de Espana in October and then the inaugural, Rally Ireland in mid-November.
