RALLY NATIONAL SUR
Oman National Rally Championship, final round – December 22-23, 2011
For immediate release
Friday, December 23rd, 2011
OMAN’S AL-WAHAIBI CRUISES TO EMPHATIC
VICTORY IN OMAN’S RALLY NATIONAL SUR
· Al-Wahaibi and Harryman win every stage in Mitsubishi Evo X
· Khaled Soomar crowned as 2011 Oman national champion
SUR (OMAN): Oman’s Hamed Al-Wahaibi and Ulster co-driver Allan Harryman cruised to a crushing victory in Rally National Sur, the final round of the Oman National Rally Championship, in north-eastern Oman on Friday.
Al-Wahaibi set the fastest time on all 10 special stages of the two-day rally to steer his Wahaibi Motor Sports (WMS)-built Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X to victory over closest rival Khaled Soomar by 4m 57s. Hamoud Al-Toqi finished third.
After a super special on Thursday, crews tackled three special stages three times on Friday and a total of 60 competitive kilometres in a route of 250km.
“I have been very relaxed and enjoyed the special stages,” admitted a delighted Al-Wahaibi, who only returned to the sport of rallying in November after a multi-year absence
“The stages were smooth and flowing. It has been a good rally, well organised. The stage marshals did a fantastic job and all knew what they were doing. Rallying is certainly becoming more popular in Oman now.”
Five drivers were fighting for the crown of Oman national champion, but Saif Al-Harthy spoiled his chance after rolling out of the event on stage seven. Soomar was duly crowned national champion after finishing second overall behind Al-Wahaibi.
Saeed Al-Minji was fourth, Hamed Al-Qassimi was fifth and Khalil Soomar and Zakariah Al-Amri rounded off the finishers in sixth and seventh places.
Ends
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