ALJAZIRAH Ford Racing Team, lead by captain Abdlhadi Al Qahtani, is set to place its mark in the history of the international motorsport competitions and making the first international official entry for any Middle Eastern team this October in Slovakia. The team, and in line with pre-set plan, is gearing up for one of the world's biggest international drifting championships – “King of Europe Championship". Abdulhadi Al Qahtani, the sole Saudi participant, will be competing against more than 60 teams from around the world for the Championship title in what will be the sixth and final round. King of Europe is one of the most highly anticipated events in the international drifting calendar and is held in one of the largest racing tracks approved by the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile); the world's only official body governing motorsports. The Championship is known for its stringent rules and scoring system. The pressure is on drivers and engines alike. Competitors race head to head on special track and judges register earned points based on skills, speed and acceleration. In order for the Saudi team to compete in such events of this caliber, Al Jazirah Ford Racing team Mustang RTR has gone under modifications to upgrade its power and lightened its weight. Furthermore, practice sessions were held as part of the preparations. All modifications were carried out by Saudi mechanics and under the watch of the skilled captain Abdulhadi Al Qahtani. Sabah Al Kraidees; Director of Sales and Marketing at Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies, said: “I am pleased with the team's outstanding achievements to date and team's entry in the “King of Europe Championship" was on the planner. It is refreshing as well as reassuring to our direction as a company to see the fruits of our initiative. The same is true about the team's sponsors who are also strategically aligned with Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies. I wish Aljazirah Ford Racing Team the best of luck and I am confident that they will project a positive image to the Saudi youth and will represent their country well." Al Qahtani said: “King of Europe is a vital station on the road to professionalism. I have every intention, and the team behind me, to make the best of this entry to represent Saudi Arabia in the best way possible in terms of achievements. Heading the first official Middle Eastern drift team to participate in a world recognized drift competition puts a lot of pressure on everyone but we have faith in our skills, our sponsors and most of all in God. The current year has been a dream coming to reality and everyone is excited and rallying behind the team." – SG
