“The fastest Saudi on wheels” is back in the rally circuit again. Abdullah Bakhashab, who had dominated the Middle East Rally in the 1990s, made a dramatic announcement of his return to action after seven years at a press conference held in the desert 40 kilometers from here Monday. True to his daring drive, Bakhashab made a stunning move by zooming towards the tent from the sand dunes of Bahrah in his Toyota FJ Cruiser Proto to the surprise of the waiting journalists outside the tent. After the Cruiser ground to a halt, he got out of his vehicle, removed the head gear and raised his hands amid loud cheers from the crowd. That was the unveiling of the second driver of the Toyota Saudi Rally Team which was kept secret all these days. Toyota team had earlier announced that Saleh Al-Saleh would be one of its two drivers. Bakhashab then addressed the mediamen inside the tent and said: “I have been living with the passion for this sport all throughout my life and have been seriously thinking of making a comeback for quite some time. At last, I could not resist the passion.” Bakhashab, who had called it a day after the Lebanon Rally in 2003, will now make his official return at the Baja Hail Rally (the Great challenge) on Feb. 16 which is the opening round of the World Cup for Cross-Country, which is being organized by the International Automobile Federation (FIA). The press conference was attended by Waleed Hambishi, First Marketing Manager of ALJ, and Saad Faisal, Toyota Racing Specialist. In full rally kit the 42-year-old Bakhashab belied his age as he looked trim and fully fit. Bakhashab added: “Moreover, it was my desire to return to action in such a great event organized in my country. I have been dreaming of a return for a long time but I had to withhold it due to my business, my activities for the promotion of motorsport in the Kingdom and my membership in the Saudi Motorsport Federation. “Since the Saudi Motorsport Federation prohibits members to participate in sporting events I had to get approval to make a comeback from Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, President of General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW). When everything materialized with the wonderful support of the Abdul Latif Jameel Company Limited my dream came true. “ Bakhashab will be having his trusted friend Robert “Bobby” Willis as his co-driver. It was the Bakhashab-Willis combine that ruled the Middle East rallies in the nineties. Abdul Latif Jameel Company Ltd., is the main sponsor of Toyota Saudi Rally Team. “I will drive Toyota FJ Cruiser Proto, which was fully rebuilt and developed in Europe. It truly is a work of art by ALJ Company,” he concluded.
