Doha: Nissan rallying ace Emil Kneisser has started his first European campaign in fine style with a podium finish in the gruelling Italian Baja Rally.
The Italian Baja is the fifth round of the Cross Country FIA World Cup and the event saw superb performances from Nissan drivers in the T2 category with Lebanese custodian Kneisser storming home third and fellow Patrol driver Denis Berekovsky taking out second spot.
Kneisser might have even finished first had it not been for a puncture and a minor accident when he was lying second and challenging for the lead. Fifty vehicles were flagged off in the Italian rally with 12 in the T2 category. T2 comprises cross-country series production vehicles.
The rally was contested over 1,000km of tough conditions but Kneisser and his Russian co-pilot Alex Komzic were up to the challenge and they said the Nissan Patrol again lived up to its name “Hero of all Terrains in Life”.
“The Nissan Patrol, as expected, took everything in its stride. The best drivers in the world are here in Europe but when you’re behind the wheel of a Nissan Patrol, whether it’s tarmac, desert or whatever, you know you can compete at the highest level,” says Kneissner.“This is my first taste of rallying in Europe so I would expect to improve even more. I have the best support from my team, the Nissan Patrol and NissanMiddle East. We’re delighted with our first outing but I think the best is yet to come.”
Nissan Middle East managing director Samir Cherfan has heaped praise on Kneisser and the Nissan Patrol after their latest outstanding Baja efforts.
“This is a great start for Emil in his European debut. He has triumphed in the Middle East and the indications are he will meet with similar success in Europe. The Italian event will be just the start as his career continues to blossom. Nissan will keep supporting him every step of the way.”
The Cross Country FIA World Cup is a global competition with a number of events around the world, such as the Italian Baja and Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Powered by Nissan, selected for the Cup and it culminates in a driver being crowned world champion.
The Peninsula
