awaited sports event of Saudi Arabia is all set to kick off. Abdullah Bakhashab, renowned rally driver and motorsport developer in the Kingdom, announced the start of the Toyota Saudi Star Autocross 2009. The two-day event will kick off at the Jeddah Raceway Wednesday. This event is playing a significant role in attracting youngsters and teaching them the principles of considerate, careful and safe driving year after year. The event is expected to witness strong competitions among amateurs as usual trying to show competent driving skills. Competitors will drive ordinary cars of their own and then compete driving Toyota Camry to determine the Saudi Star of this round. The event is sponsored by Toyota as a main sponsor. While Mobil 1 also supports the event, Toyota Camry will be the official car of the competition. Bakhashab expressed his happiness of the success of 2008 motorsport competitions describing it as great achievements in a short time. “Without the big support from the Youth Welfare Office, Saudi Motorsport Committee, governmental institutions and big companies, we could not achieved our goal,” said Bakhashab. Bakhashab said: “All systems are ready for the race.” A group of special engineers has designed the track made all the more challenging with a slew of curves and hairpin turns. The circuit length exceeded 1300 meters. Special digital timing system will be used. About 35 amateur drivers will take part in the event. The drivers will be divided into 7 classes depending on the capacity and the power of engine, car size and year of manufacture. The classes will be: 1. Super stock (SS) for ultra high performance sport cars, 2. A Stock (AS) for high performance sport cars 3. PA – sport cars and GT's, 4. C Stock (CS) for small size compact cars, 5. D Stock (DS) for intermediate size sedans 6. F Stock (FS) for sedans and coupes, 7. (BS) for medium size coupes. Each driver will be allowed to drive 2 trials. The best time (the lowest time inclusive pylon penalties, if any) particular run were taken for ranking with each classes. A judge and 15 marshals around the track will control the race. The event is a rare opportunity for competent drivers to show talents and skills polished through scientific approach and principles of careful and considerate driving. __
