UAE Labour Minister Dr. Ali bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi stood in as a co-driver for Mohammed Ben Sulayem today (Saturday) as the 14 Middle East rally champion turned back the clock for charity.
With the Minister taking the navigator’s seat Sulayem, who has not driven competitively since winning the Dubai International Rally for the 15th time five years ago, brought his Ford Escort World Rally Car out of retirement to raise money for UAE charities with
Five corporate sponsors paying AED75,000 each also partnered Sulayem in the charity drive held in Dubai’s Al Mamzar area and televised by Dubai Sports Channel before switching his attention to the event he dominated on his way to titles
Sulayem, President of the Emirates Automobile and Touring Club, gave Dr. Ali and his five other co-drivers for the day a thrilling ride over a twisting track built specially for the occasion.
The charity drive was sponsored by Jebel Ali International Hotels, Mashreq Bank, Emarat, Tameer and Dubai Islamic Insurance & Reinsurance Company (AMAN). The event is also supported by Dubai Sports Channel.
“This is all for charity, and I’m grateful to Dr. Ali, and of course to the sponsors, for their support,” said Sulayem. “At the same time it’s exciting to get the chance to drive one of my favourite ever rally cars again.”
The charity drive was inspired by the Dubai Cares initiative launched by H.H.Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Dubai Municipality supported the charity drive by building the track for the event while the Dutco Group has erected public grandstands for spectators.
Immediately after the charity drive Sulayem and his Emirates Automobile and Touring Club staff move into the Club’s brand new headquarters in Al Mamzar from where they will run next weekend’s 2007 Dubai International Rally, final round of this year’s FIA Middle East Championship.
Taking place under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Mayed, the event sees the UAE’s Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi and Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah facing a dramatic battle to decide the Middle East series.
Al-Qassimi carries a two-point advantage over defending champion Al-Attiyah into the eighth and final round but a win in Dubai for the Qatari will see him retain his Middle East title.
