The Sharqia Tourism Development Council and Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF) have announced that the Eastern Province will be hosting the 2011 Red Bull Ras B Ras event under the auspices of Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Bin Abdulaziz. The event will be held under the direct supervision of Eastern Region Tourism Council and the Saudi Motor Sports Federation. The head-to-head race is the first of its kind to be held in the Middle East, with the crème de la crème of Arab driving talents. The participants will be challenging each other for the title on a world-class, custom built circuit in front of 11,500 spectators on Nov. 23, in Khobar Plaza. Red Bull Ras B Ras was conceived with the Middle East in mind and specifically caters to Arab motorsports enthusiasts in the region. The title of the one-day event will go to one of the 16 racing superstars invited by Red Bull who are to take part in various heats, which challenge each of the champions to showcase their best driving and racing skills. The drivers will battle behind the wheel of identical cars, abiding by the same specifications as they compete across an 800-meter circuit. For the contenders, then, there will be nowhere to hide and no getting away with blaming the vehicles. The event will likely prove to be the ultimate showdown in Middle East for motorsports where the top Arab racing champion will be crowned. Elimination starts early on, in the first rounds of the challenges, putting 16 drivers against each other over 8 separate groups. The fastest 8 drivers will then qualify to the quarterfinals, where contenders will vie across 4 groups, for a spot in the semifinals. With pressure mounting to make it to the final round, two drivers will face-off against each other, and only one will stake his claim as the undisputed Arab champion. Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Fahd Bin Abdullah Al-Saud, President of the Eastern Region Tourism Council, comments, “The Red Bull Ras B Ras will give Sharqia residents and visitors the opportunity to watch local and regional racing all-stars compete for the title across the same circuit and on the same day.” Red Bull confirms the participation of 16 Arab champions with backgrounds in several motor sport disciplines. Contenders from KSA are Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal (Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – Middle East first edition champion), Yazeed Al-Rajhi (winner of the 2009 Ha'il International Rally and the 2008 and 2010 Sharqia Rally), Bandar Alireza (Radical ME Masters 1500 title holder), Saeed Al-Mouri (Red Bull Middle East Car Park Drift king) and the famous Saudi Rally driver Majed Al-Ghamdi. Regional racers include the best Arab drivers such as: Qatari driver Misfer Al-Marri (2010 Middle East Rally Championship title holder), UAE's Sheikh Abdullah Al-Qassimi (Group N champ and 3-time title holder of the Middle East Rally Championship), Bahrain's Fahd Al-Musalam (Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Championship winner) and Lebanon's Roger Feghali (9-time winner of the Rally du Liban).
