Qahtani clocked the fastest time of the day 46.037 in FS category in the first round of the Toyota Autocross Championship 2011 here recently. Autocross is a branch of motor sport which involves driving a car anti-clockwise on a loose surface circuit. The competition took place on a temporary circuit. In all 25 drivers took part in the event. Each driver was handed four drives on the track. The race witnessed close and thrilling competition in each category. There were three stock categories for cars which were not modified and four categories for modified cars. The races started at 9 P.M. and finished around 1:30 A.M. The drivers reported on the track at 6:30 P.M. and following technical inspections Amer Al-Nahdi, the Race Director, briefed the participants on race rules. The round attracted the highest number of newcomers in the event organized by Toyota Motorsports which runs these events on the format of Autocross racing. The race saw Ahmad Al-Khoyter and Sheikh Hamad Al-Khalefah, going neck and neck. Al-Khoyter managed to finish second in a time of 48:010 and Sheikh Hamad Al-Khalefah third (49:681). Zeeb Al-Qahtani proved himself as the emerging talent in the Kingdom by winning the competition. Sponsored by Toyota along with Mobil 1 oil and Arab Motors Channel (media sponsor), the mood remained thrilling throughout the competition. The winners in all the seven different categories were handed awards at a prize distribution ceremony held at the circuit after the races. “Sports events and competitions are an important element of the Kingdom's culture, that is why we are always ready to extend our support to all such events,” said Abdullah Bakhashab, motorsport developer and organizer of the race.
