BP Ford Abu Dhabi's 'third' driver
Khalid Al Qassimi took the prize for the longest jump at Colin's Crest on the Swedish Rally last weekend, the second round in the 2008
FIA World Rally Championship.
The award was set up by the organisers of the Karlstad-based event to honour 1995 World Rally champion,
Colin McRae, who was tragically killed last year in a helicopter crash.
Al Qassimi jumped his Focus RS WRC car 36 metres much to the delight of the crowds of fans: "I am delighted to win the longest jump at Colin's Crest," he stated. "To have my name associated with that of one of the greatest names in motorsport is an honour and I am very proud."
Khalid was contesting the Swedish Rally for the very first time and he opted for a cautious approach on day 1, finishing the leg in twelfth place overall.
Saturday though was a more trying affair and he slid off on the very first stage and went into a ditch. Luckily the Swedish supporters helped him get back on the road, but he lost ten minutes and tumbled down the times. SS10 and SS11 were also eventful and he went off again in Vargasen 1. In the end he finished in 26th place overall.
"This has been an incredibly difficult rally for me, the first time on snow and ice. It was made even harder as in places, we were running on gravel and this obviously isn't the ideal situation for the studded tyres," he reflected.
"I was quite pleased with my pace as the experience grew, as I saw myself becoming closer to the front-runners, in terms of speed. However, with the mistakes I made yesterday and the time lost when we went off the road, it's a shame the result isn't better.
"Again I have to express my thanks to the team for the hard work they carried out this weekend, in making sure that my Ford Focus RS was in perfect health at all times. I also have to thank the Swedish rally fans. Not only did they welcome me to their country, they also kept me in the rally when they helped to get the car back on the road twice yesterday."
