BY DENZIL PINTO
DOHA: Qatari driver Abdulaziz Al Kuwari insists that although rally racing is dangerous, he has full confidence in the safety measures implemented for drivers in the sport.
The 34-year-old, who made his professional debut in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2012, said during the ‘Stars Chat’ session yesterday: “Racing has a high safety level in our sport. Not many accidents have taken place. We (drivers) have first aid boxes in our cars and there is medical treatment if things go wrong. Rallying is dangerous but drivers are skilled and experienced enough to deal with things.”
Al Kuwari’s opinion was echoed by former rally racing driver Saeed Al Hajri.
“It is a dangerous sport. It requires a lot of bravery and determination to achieve results. If the driver doesn’t have the spirit, you have to stop. But motor racing is now safer than when I was competing,” said the Qatari two-time Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) winner.
Al Kuwari, winner of the Mexico, Argentina and Australia races in WRC2 this year, insists drivers need to remain fit despite sitting behind a wheel for a long period of time.
Al Kuwari, who regularly visits Aspetar hospital in Doha ahead of his races, said: “Fitness levels are very important to a driver. For example, some of these races are held in a very high sea level, meaning drivers will have less oxygen. Drivers have to remain focused at all times and prepare to travel to the country early or undertake training in another country, to get used to the conditions.”
He added: “The Mexican rally is the hardest race to compete in. It is about 2,000 miles above sea. A team would ensure the driver is fully prepared for the event and that means everything to travelling and time difference.”
The 34-year-old, who played football before racing and now backed by Seashore Group, believes a good car, driver and sponsor is needed to have success in the sport.
“You need to have a good team and car with good mechanics and structure in place. The driver must be good as well as the backing of a good sponsor who will be there to support you,” said Al Kuwari.
For 53-year-old Al Hajri, the Qatari driver enjoyed success on a number of occasions throughout his career, winning 18 international races.
Having loved cars when he was young, his passion and determination to succeed helped him secure sponsorship and later became a professional.
“Every man has an ambition. He wants to achieve great results. I had an ambition. I had a good discipline in Qatar and I took part in races around the world. All the sponsorship support I had helped me succeed,” said Al Hajri.
Al Hajri said he was happy representing Qatar on the international scene.
He said: “I participated in local, regional and international championships, which eventually got me sponsorship, even though this is an expensive sport. I was on a mission to raise the Qatari flag on an international platform, and I’m proud to have achieved it.”
Asked of whether technology is now an important part in racing than when he competed, he replied: “Yes. Technology helps the car and team. It is part of everything now.”
Al Hajri is happy to see the number of motor racing events increase in the Middle East region.
“Twenty-five years ago, racing was big in the Gulf countries. Now we have Formula One races in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain as well as the MotoGP in Qatar. Racing is now getting very strong in the Gulf. I appeal for more support for this sport because it really needs it,” said Al Hajri.
Al Hajri also hopes Aspire Academy, which trains young athletes in a wide range of sports, can focus on racing.
Al Kuwari said Aspire facilities has helped him enormously.
“I owe my personal fitness, my healthy diet programme, and the world-class medical attention from Aspetar all to the Aspire Zone, who have made all their facilities available to me. They have contributed greatly to creating the champion that I am right now,” he said. THE PENINSULA
