Portugal's visiting WRC star Armindo Araujo and co-driver Miguel Ramalho edged 1m 45s clear of their rivals after seven special stages of Saudi Arabia's new Sharqia Rally at Half Moon Bay here Wednesday. The Portuguese driver had trailed Saudi Arabia's Yazeed Al-Rajhi after the opening loop of desert stages, but overheating woes cost the local driver time during the afternoon and Al-Rajhi was also passed by Jordan's Amjad Farrah. “I found a good rhythm over the second loop and began to push harder,” saida determined Araujo. “The stages were not easy and finding a clear line in the sand was a challenge. I am getting used to it more and will continue to push on Thursday morning. It is a totally new experience for me, but it is good experience.” Yazeed Al-Rajhi had set the fastest time in the opening A'Zabnah stage and extended his advantage over Armindo Araujo to just under 30 seconds after the first loop of three sandy stages. Different driving styles caused the formation of several racing lines through the sandy corners, but Amjad Farrah managed to retain his composure to hold third position. This trio were the class of the field over the opening three runs, with Majeed Al-Ghamdi alone in fourth position and Jordan's Ammar Hijazi and Qatar's Khalifa Al-Attiyah fighting closely for fifth and sixth. Qatar's Jaber Al-Marri damaged an oil cooler and sustained a puncture, but managed to retain a position inside the top 10, where he was pursued by Saudi Arabia's Essa Al-Dossari and Lebanon's Doumit Bou Doumit. Araujo upped the tempo over the second loop and cruised into the lead through the fourth stage, the Portuguese driver beating nearest rival Farrah by 42 seconds. He extended his advantage through the subsequent two stages to take a comfortable lead into the overnight halt. Overheating problems cost Al-Rajhi his lead and the Saudi slipped to third overall, with Qatar's Khalifa Al-Attiyah, Doumit Bou Doumit and Jordan's Ammar Al-Hijazi unofficially occupying fourth fifth and sixth places. “I'am not happy with the afternoon,” said Al-Rajhi. “We have lost time and I wasnot able to push because of the car.” Saudi Arabia's Ahmed Al-Sabban slipped out of contention when his Toyota S2000 suffered suspension problems on the last two stages of the day. The event is being held under the patronage of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province and the Chairman of the Higher Committee for the new Saudi Rally. Thursday there will be a further six special stages, the leg featuring reverse runs through Thursday's timed tests. The event draws to a conclusion at the King Fahd Coastal City with the ceremonial finish from 15.15hrs. __
