The Sharqia Tourism Development Council and Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF) have announced the Saudi Eastern Province (Sharqia) will be hosting the 2011 Red Bull Ras B Ras event under the auspices of the Governor of the Eastern Province, HRH Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Bin Abdulaziz. The head-to-head race is the first of its kind to be held in the Middle East, with the crème de la crème of Arab driving talents. The participants will be challenging each other for the Red Bull Ras B Ras title on a world-class, custom built circuit in front of 11,500 spectators on November 23rd, in Khobar Plaza.
Red Bull Ras B Ras was conceived with the Middle East in mind and specifically caters to Arab motorsports enthusiasts in the region. The title of the one-day event will go to one of the 16 racing superstars invited by Red Bull who are to take part in various heats, which challenge each of the champions to showcase their best driving and racing skills. The drivers will battle behind the wheel of identical cars, abiding by the same specifications as they compete across an 800-meter circuit. For the contenders, then, there will be nowhere to hide and no getting away with blaming the vehicles. Red Bull Ras B Ras will likely prove to be the ultimate showdown in Middle East for motorsports where the top Arab racing champion will be crowned.
Elimination starts early on, in the first rounds of the challenges, putting 16 drivers against each other over 8 separate groups. The fastest 8 drivers will then qualify to the quarterfinals, where contenders will vie across 4 groups, for a spot in the semifinals. With pressure mounting to make it to the final round, two drivers will face-off against each other, and only one will stake his claim as the undisputed Arab champion.
HRH Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Fahd Bin Abdullah Al Saud, President of the Sharqia Tourism Development Council, will attend the event representing HRH Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province. He comments, “The Red Bull Ras B Ras will give Sharqia residents and visitors the opportunity to watch local and regional racing all-stars compete for the title across the same circuit and on the same day.” He further expressed that, “the Sharqia Tourism Development Council strives to present events that boast a high level of professionalism in terms of organization and are unique not only in the Kingdom but also across the Middle East.”
Commenting on the Red Bull Ras B Ras competition, HRH Prince Sultan Bin Bandar Al Faisal, President of SAMF, indicated that, “What makes this competition so special and different than traditional car races is the fact that 16 of the best drivers in the Arab World and the Kingdom from across the racing spectrum will come together on one circuit in duals that automatically eliminate the loser over several rounds leading to the crowning of one ultimate driver. The Red Bull Ras B Ras title holder will become the undisputed Arabian champ in a special event that headlines some of the biggest names in car racing.” He also noted that, “SAMF is keen on promoting the Saudi sports scene through unique events reflecting world-class motorsports organization in the Kingdom.”
To the delight of their fans, Red Bull confirms the participation of 16 Arab champions with backgrounds in several motor sport disciplines. Contenders from KSA are HRH Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal (Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – Middle East first edition champion), Yazeed Al-Rajhi (winner of the 2009 Ha’il International Rally and the 2008 and 2010 Sharqia Rally), Bandar Alireza (Radical ME Masters 1500 title holder), and Saeed Al-Mouri (Red Bull Middle East Car Park Drift king) and Saudi Rally driver Majed Al-Ghamdi. Regional racers include Qatari driver Misfer Al-Marri (2010 Middle East Rally Championship title holder), UAE’s Sheikh Abdullah Al-Qassimi (Group N champ and 3-time title holder of the Middle East Rally Championship), Bahrain’s Fahd Al-Musalam (Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Championship winner), Lebanon’s Roger Feghali (9-time winner of the Rally du Liban), Lebanon’s Joe Ghanem (winner of the UAE GT Drivers Championship – Class GTC), Egypt’s Tamer Bashat (Autocross champ), Kuwaiti driver Mishari Al-Dhafiri (holder of several Kuwait National Rally titles), Oman’s Autocross Champion Mazin Al Shaibani, Syria’s Fadi Hamadeh (Autocross champion), and Jordan’s Mazen Tantash (reigning Jordan Rally champ).
Tickets to the Red Bull Ras B Ras event will be available through STC offices and MEED stations across Al-Khobar, Riyadh and Jeddah.
This content is the property of Red Bull Middle East Website: