Omani rally legend Hamed Al-Wahaibi bounced back from his first-day disappointment with several superb stage times to reach the finish of the Cyprus Rally, round four of the 2021 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), in Nicosia on Sunday.
On a day when local driver Alexandros Tsouloftas took his first MERC win, Al-Wahaibi set three second-fastest times and a third-fastest to climb to 16th. Without a power steering problem on stage nine and a clogged radiator on the penultimate stage, he would have climbed close to the top 10.
It was also a good event for Oman’s Abdullah Al-Rawahi, who finished third behind Cypriot Petros Panteli.
It was a really enjoyable rally. I came here to get the experience and regain the knowledge. My notes were a bit off and we struggled with it a little but Tony and I now understand more and more. The speed this weekend was so high. Congratulations also to Abdullah (Al-Rawahi) on his excellent result.
Hamed Al-Wahaibi
It’s been great to be back in the car with Hamed after 20 years. Both of us haven’t done many rallies over the past 10 years. We were a bit rusty and had a few cobwebs to blow out. But it was good to finish the rally and get some miles in preparation for the Oman Rally in two months’ time.
Tony Sircombe
Sunday’s fightback
Supported logistically by Asyad Express and Sandan Development LLC, the 53-year-old restarted under Rally2 rules from 21st overall. The final day featured two runs through three twisty stages: Lythrodontas (13.01km), Ayios Ephifanios (19.02km) and Ayia Marina (10.96km).
He was quick from the start, and third-fastest time behind Tsouloftas and Panteli lifted him to 19th. Only leader Tsouloftas beat him on the next stage.
A power steering problem cost him about two minutes on the third stage, but he still moved up to 18th. After Motortune mechanics fixed it at service, he improved by 29 seconds on the second run through Lythrodontas for another second-fastest time, climbing to 16th in his Škoda Fabia 1.6.
On stage 11 he lost another 11 minutes stopping to clear a clogged radiator to stop the engine overheating, continuing once it had cooled. Another second-fastest time on the last stage confirmed 16th overall.
Fastest time on the final stage gave Alex Tsouloftas his first Cyprus Rally win and first MERC victory, while Panteli passed Al-Rawahi for second.
The penultimate round of the 2021 MERC is in Kuwait on November 11-13.
Positions after SS12
- 1. Alexandros Tsouloftas (CYP)/Stellos Elia (CYP) Volkswagen Polo GTI 3hr 07min 28.5sec
- 2. Petros Panteli (CYP)/Pambos Laos (CYP) Citroën DS3 3hr 15min 30.8sec
- 3. Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) Ford Fiesta 3hr 16min 12.8sec
- 10. Meshari Al-Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 3hr 27min 20.8sec
- 16. Hamed Al-Wahaibi (OMN)/Tony Sircombe (NZL) Škoda Fabia 4hr 02min 40.6sec
- 22. Asem Aref (JOR)/Ahmed Jan Khout (JOR) Suzuki Swift Sport 5hr 03min 31.0sec