JEDDAH: Bahraini Champion Ali Dadi won the Toyota Karting Championship 2009 in its 6th and final round held at the Jeddah Race Way earlier this week. Abdullah Al-Mutary, who had won the 5th round held a day before, was the 1st runner-up and Hassan Al-Sharbatly the 2nd runner-up.

From the start of the 5th round, Al-Mutary maintained the virtual lead over Al-Sharbatly and Hussein Al-Sharif. Yazan Hamadh and Sultan Kaylo were down in 4th and 5th places. By lap 25, Al-Mutary confirmed his lead clocking 00:15:52:18, with Al-Sharif in 2nd place with 00:17:55:68 and Sharbatly 3rd with 00:21:30:84.

“It was a difficult race for me,” said Al-Mutary. “Several boats tried to jump the start and that meant both Sharbatly and Al-Sharif were running behind and trying to get back to the front of the field. It was not easy to overtake. Several boats ran out of fuel near the finish and I was delighted to be first.”

On the second day, in the 6th and round, the Bahraini champion clinched the pole from Al-Mutary clocking 14:10:86.

Sponsored by Mobil 1 and IN 10 SO, the race was held under the supervision of the Saudi Committee for Motorsport and the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW).

Mishael AbdulMohsen Al-Sulaiman, vice chairman and managing director of the Jeddah Race Way, congratulated the winners and expressed his satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the race. He also had a word of praise for veteran rally champion Abdullah Bakhashab for the successful organization of the competition and bringing the soul of F1 to the Kingdom. “The event proved to be very successful, and the number of participants increased this time,” said Bakhashab.

“The competition has put the country on the international map of sporting events,” he said and hoped that the Kingdom will become a venue for international karting races soon.