Sheikh Khalid hopes to cross line on final day of Dakar

Denzil Pinto 09:14 02/01/2017
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  • Getting ready: Sheikh Khalid.

    UAE’s Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi has set himself a target of crossing the finish line on the final day of the Dakar Rally as he prepares for his toughest challenge of his motorsport career.

    The Emirati will make his debut in the world’s most notorious crosscountry endurance race, which gets under way in the Paraguayan capital Asuncion today.

    Alongside French co-driver Pascal Maimon in the Peugeot 2008 DKR, the pair face a stern task over the next 12 days as they tackle the gruelling 9,000km race that will cross into Argentina, Bolivia before returning to Argentina for the grandstand finish at Buenos Aires on January 14.

    Although, the Abu Dhabi Racing Team driver and chairman insists he’s now familiar with the car after testing in Liwa, he is relishing the challenges the rally will present.

    “I’m completely excited and ready for this,” said Qassimi, who races in the World Rally Championship and Middle East Rally Championship. “To complete the Dakar Rally in one piece is the biggest goal for me as it’s a very long rally. You cannot think about what problems you could face.

    The best possible thing is just to finish the race on January 14 and avoid problems that could happen to you.” He added: “For sure, if we find ourselves in a good position and if my team gives me the right information, then I’ll definitely be pushing to get better results.

    “But I’ll need to see what the stages are and try and enjoy the whole experience and get myself around the crucial areas so I can get a feel of what is happening.”

    He will be among the 93 drivers in the cars field with defending champion Stephane Peterhansel looking to win his seventh title on four wheels, having previously clinched six motorcycle crowns.

    It will not be easy for the Frenchman to replicate his success with two-time winner Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah and 2010 champion Carlos Sainz among the entrants. While Al Qassimi expects a close challenge for the crown, he feels it could be a three-way battle for the prestigious trophy.

    “I think there are three strong drivers who could win it – Carlos Sainz, Stephane Peterhansel, Sebastien Loeb (all of Peugeot)” he said.

    “Those are the drivers who will be there or thereabouts taking the top positions. If they have problems, there a couple of other drivers including Giniel de Villiers, who has won before looking to pounce. But I would give my vote for a driver from Peugeot to win.”

    The 51-year-old Peterhansel expressed concerns over the physical effects of racing at South America’s punishing altitudes.

    Competitors will have to deal with six days at 3,000m or more above sea level. “We all fear a little the time spent at altitude. I fear for the teams, the staff, mechanics,” said the Frenchman, who won last year’s competition in a Peugeot after wins in 2004, 2005 and 2007 with Mitsubishi and 2012 and 2013 victories behind the wheel of a Mini.

    “Last year there were cases when mechanics didn’t feel well. This is going to be the most intense Dakar we have done in South America.” For Daniel Elena, he will be alongside nine-time WRC champion Loeb and has warned the Frenchman is eager to improve on his ninth-place finish last year.

    “Last year the objective was just to finish,” said Elena. “This year, knowing Seb, the goal is to win.” Four-time champions Mini, pin their hopes on Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen. In the motorcycle championship, Australia’s Toby Price will be defending his title with KTM.

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