ATCL’s first official test day or Shakedown went smoothly in the morning were drivers from 2 teams, MotorTune and TGRS tried their cars and worked mainly on setup. The ATCL Marshals were organizing the whole procedure and things looked smooth and flowing. All drivers and teams went to break from 1:30 to 2:30 before resuming. The first hour was ok, until the unfortunate accident took place. MotorTune driver Raafat El Mohtar had an unlucky accident were he crashed his car in the middle of the shakedown stage. The day was halted and all present drivers, team managers, fans and media personnel, rushed to make sure he is ok. Raafat looked ok in the car with some back pain and bruises, the Red Cross did their job and he was transferred to the hospital. Ramy Nader hi co-driver walked out of the car unharmed. From all the crew of www.bsier3a.com we thanks god for his safety and wish him a fast recovery.
The test will resume tomorrow in Arsoun at around 9 in the morning.
During the day we took some quaotes from the drivers and co-drivers participating in the shakedown and we captured the following impressions:
(Note that many of the Quotes were recorded before the accident, including the one we did with Raafat himself.)
Ziad Chehab:
The official test is a very good step forward. We thank ATCL for it. It really organizes the whole thing. It is safer. We are testing our suspension for Joseph to improve. We always say that Joseph is new but this a fact so he needs time to improve.”
Sysley:
“The test was great and the car is great. Last rally the car was great but I wasn’t. I didn’t complete the test because of the accident but all is good. We will be coming tomorrow.”
Chafic Boulos:
“Everything is looking good. The road is slippery so it might be similar to the new stage in the Cedars rally. I’m working on the setup and differential and most probably I won’t be testing tomorrow.”
Raafat El Mohtar:
“The test is great we basically come here to enjoy our time so it’s looking good and the guys at MotorTune are doing an amazing job.”
Tamer Ghandour:
“I’m not testing tomorrow. In the mourning everything was great, it was a warm up. In the afternoon we are changing the tyres and trying some different suspension setup. We will also try to different anti lag systems.
Nicloas Amioni:
“We are testing the new Kit, were we have the weight reduction only and not the mechanical parts. It’s looking good and I haven’t felt the difference yet. I have never tested on this road before so I am getting used to it.”
Nick Georgiou:
“We are testing the new R4 kit and the main difference is the weight. I can feel it its mainly nice. It has been a very good test and with new kit the car is feeling more like rally car.”
Ziad Karanouh:
“The official test is a very good idea for the drivers and I will be back tomorrow for the test again.”
Roger Bridi:
“We are trying to find the hidden seconds in our performance and overall it was very good.”
Joseph Hindy:
“WE didn’t complete the whole program but the test was very good. Thank god that is Raafat is ok. I will be back tomorrow for some more testing.”
Christian Kurban:
“This is really a test for me. I have a very good feeling. I am discovering myself and the car. I couldn’t complete my program because of the unfortunate accident.”
Chafic Saade (OTV Presenter, who got the chance to ride alongside Joseph Hindy)
“It’s not my first time in the rally car but it was amazing. It’s a different feeling in rally car. For all speed lovers it’s an amazing feeling.”
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