Rally racing is a motor sport which takes place in all terrains including snow, gravel, asphalt, (and yes, desert sand), and under all weather conditions. The cars used are specially modified or produced and each racer takes along a co-driver to help him or her navigate. Drivers win purely through speed, so the sport requires not just excellent driving skills, but smart decision-making and top-notch navigation skills as well. Though rallying is a well-established motorsport worldwide, it is relatively new to the UAE.
Bader Al Jabri and Majed Al Shamsi are two Emirati emerging rally stars, who drive together for the same team. Introduced to the world of rally racing in 2004, they started racing in 2008 and have been representing Abu Dhabi in various rallies all over the world ever since. Tempo caught up and chatted with the two racers ahead of their big race, The Qatar International Rally from 24-26 January.
Bader Al Jabri: “I am 28 years old and currently work with Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. I’m also studying at Al Hosn University and will graduate with a degree in Industrial Engineering in January 2013. I started racing for fun, but it has now become my passion. I live with my parents and five sisters. My family has been extremely supportive from the beginning. My mother (who can’t help but be concerned about her only son) makes me smile every time she asks me to “Take care and drive slowly” before every race!”
Majed Al Shamsi: “I’m 32 years old. I reside in Dubai with my wife and two daughters. I have a degree in Naval Science and served in the navy for 10 years before I started rally racing. My family too is very supportive, especially my two girls who love that their father is a racer”.
Bader: “My sisters and Majed’s family came to support us during one of our rallies in Australia. That was the first time they saw us in action”.
Majed: “That really meant a lot to both of us. We hope that they will be able to see us in more events and to cheer us on in the future”.
Bader: “We started in 2008 with the Middle Eastern Rally with a Ford Fiesta and then went on to the World Rally in 2009 where we competed in the Fiesta Sporting Trophy International. There I finished third and Majed came sixth in the standings.”
Majed: “I would say 2010 was our most successful year. We made it to the top five for the Spain rally! And in the Portugal rally, we placed first and second. That was by far our greatest achievement. We owe it all to the brilliant team we had that year, everyone from the racers, their co- drivers and even the mechanics who worked together so efficiently. Then in 2011, we upgraded to a Subaru, a turbo charged four-wheel drive, which is faster and more powerful than the Fiesta. That wasn’t easy for us as we were used to the smaller Fiesta, but we managed somehow. We will be continuing with the Subaru in 2013 – as practise makes perfect!”
Majed: “Finland and Spain are my favourite so far. Finland is like the grand prix of rallying. Bader is the tarmac specialist, I prefer gravel.”
Bader: “Which is why I prefer Wales.”
Bader: “We’re open to all sports, we don’t mind anything”
Majed: (Laughing) “Yes, anything with a steering wheel!”
(Tempo aside: Be sure to check out the Playstation game WRC 2, where both young racers are featured and gamers get a chance to drive for Team Abu Dhabi.)
Bader: I started playing video games only after this game was launched. Seeing our names on- screen made us so proud!”
Bader: “Rallying is an extremely risky sport. A small stone on the road can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and go off- track. I dislocated my arm thrice in the same place at the Dubai rally but still continued the race. Some people, once they crash quit rallying due to shock or fear. Others are determined to continue. Fortunately, I’m one of those who choose to continue.”
Majed: “I too injured my back in a rally in 2011 and till today it hasn’t completely healed. When you’re passionate about something like rallying, injuries are bound to occur but they should only make you stronger and more determined.”
Majed: “Support from the government is huge. The have been very generous in terms of participation in events. But there is a limit to how much they can support us. In most rallies, drivers are way ahead of us in terms of participation and experience. Lack of practise affects our progress. We need more sponsors so that we get all the support we need and are able to practise and reach World Rally standards and represent our country. That is our dream! ”
Bader: “We are both extremely grateful to the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and Abu Dhabi Racing for their support. For aspiring racers we offer this advice: find a sponsor or forget about it!”
By Sanah Chauhan
