JEDDAH, 26 March 2004 — Laith Pharaon, Saudi driver of the Team Green Racing, is confident of winning the second round of the UIM F1 Power Boat World Championship scheduled in Alkhobar today.
Thirty drivers of different nationalities will race for the Alkhobar title that will be watched by a large number of water sport fans.
“The event is a big boost for sports and tourism in Saudi Arabia,” Laith Pharaon said at the sponsorship signing ceremony at Lexus Club here on Tuesday night. Adnan Al-Qahtani, marketing manager at Abdul Latif Jameel Co. (ALJ), the Kingdom’s exclusive agent for Toyota, signed the sponsorship agreement with the World F1 Boat Race champion.
Pharaon and Italian Guido Cappellini of the Zepter Team, who is defending the world championship title, are the main contenders.
“My dream comes true, as my country hosts this world event in the Eastern Province,” Pharaon, the lead driver of the Italy-based Team Green Racing, said at a press conference that followed. He hoped to defeat Cappellini and win the title.
Pharaon has a great record of achievements. In 1996, he won the US National Championship and SBR World Championship (Class 1). In 1997, he bagged the WOC UIM Class 1 European and World Championship. In 2001, when he joined the new Team Green Racing, he participated in F1 UIM World Championship and won the Malaysian Grand Prix in Johor Bharu and took the first 20 points. He was ranked third in the Bombay round held in the Indian western city a fortnight ago.
Al-Qahtani said ALJ and Toyota were committed to support all Saudis who proved themselves competent in various fields. “We supported World Rally Champion Abdullah Bakhashab and his accomplished records of achievements,” he said.
ALJ is now supporting Toyota Rally Team Saudi Arabia promoting driver Majid Al-Ghamdi to win the Toyota Cup within the Middle East Rally Championship twice in a row.
“We’re proud to support Pharaon, who managed with limited resources to defeat such world renowned teams as Victory Team, which is supported by Dubai government,” Al-Qahtani said.
“By sponsoring F1 Powerboat World Championship, the company is investing in Saudi youth, promoting and helping them achieve world-class results in international forums and championships,” he said.
