DUBAI // Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi could lose his recent Middle East Rally Championship (Merc) crown after the FIA’s International Court of Appeal decided to impose a 30-second penalty on the Abu Dhabi Racing driver for an infringement of rules at last weekend’s season-ending Dubai International Rally.
Sheikh Khalid, who arrived in Dubai six points behind nine-time Merc champion and rival Nasser Al Attiyah, clinched his second Merc crown at his home event last month, finishing a mere 0.3 seconds ahead the reigning champion.
Al Attiyah, who had won the Dubai event seven years in a row, lodged a protest against Sheikh Khalid after the race, claiming the winning car had contravened regulations.
His protest was dismissed by race stewards, who said Sheikh Khalid’s car had followed Merc rules, which require cars to remain within 10 metres of the course’s designated driving line, the apparent source of Al Attiyah’s complaint.
Al Attiyah took his case to the International Court of Appeal, who set aside the decision and found Sheikh Khalid in breach, for which he was handed the prescribed 30-second penalty.
The penalty, effectively, means Sheikh Khalid will move to second in the race behind Al Attiyah, with the Qatari taking the Merc overall title as well.
There has been no announcement from Merc officials to confirm the FIA’s ruling.
arizvi@thenational.ae
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