The 2008 Toyota Saudi Star Autocross will kick off at Durat Al Arouse race track on Wednesday. This two-day event has Toyota as the main sponsor and Toyota Camry will be the official car. Mobil 1 and Okaz newspaper are the co-sponsors. The event is expected to witness strong competitions among amateurs who would be trying to show competent driving skills. The competitors will drive ordinary cars of their own to start with and then continue driving Toyota Camry to determine the Saudi Star for this round. The event organizer Abdullah Bakhashab expressed his happiness over the success of 2007 motorsport competitions. He was grateful to the big support they got from government institutions, corporate establishments, Saudi Motorsport Committee and the youth welfare office. He was thankful to the press and media which played an important role in supporting these motor activities that have become the second popular sport after football. About 20 amateur drivers will take part in the event. “The main aim behind organizing this event is to assess and develop driving talents and skills,” said Bakhashab. The event is expected to help discover new generation of future rally drivers. Stressing the importance of organizing autocross championship in Saudi Arabia, Bakhashab said that autocross is popular in Arab world and that several Arab countries organize the event all through the year. “Our aim is to help Saudi youth utilize their driving talents and skills in the right places and specialized areas away from endangering people and their own lives by racing cars in the city streets and on highways,” Bakhashab siad. “Wednesday and Thursday will see a distinctive challenge between experienced drivers and those who compete for the first time to determine the Kingdom champion, he added. “Toyota Saudi Star Autocross Race 2008 is another step forward in promoting and expanding motor sport in the Kingdom after the success of 2007 rounds. The event is a rare opportunity for competent drivers to show their talent and skills, polished through scientific approach and principles of careful and considerate driving.” __
